Employability and higher education? Investigating student perspectives

How do students of the social sciences and humanities relate their studies to the concept of employability? Using a qualitative approach, we interviewed students about employability and competence development. The analysis points to four different subjective theories. The investigation demonstrates clealy that the students have little knowledge about the professional relevance of their studies, and that they also lack knowledge about the job market and about a self-reflexive, well-informed competence development. The article argues that higher education institutions must begin offering information and guidance on the professional relevance of studies in social sciences and the humanities.

23.01.2013 | Gudrun Hessler (Bielefeld)