Education-Job Fit and Work-Related Learning of Recent Graduates: Head Start or Filling a Gap?

• In Event: 63.036 - Workplace Learning in the Professions

Abstract

The alignment of the first job and graduates’ education appears to be of key influence for graduates. Work-related learning is an important outcome of fit, because of its relevance to be able to cope with changes in a work environment. Theoretically, two (contradicting) processes are proposed to gain understanding in the relationship between education-job fit and work-related learning: complementing versus substituting. This study aims to empirically assess these contradicting explanations by identifying latent profiles of recent graduates (N = 779) and investigating differences regarding work-related learning. Four distinct profiles are identified: full fit, horizontal fit, vertical fit, and full misfit. Results are in favor of the complementing hypothesis, indicating that more work-related learning is reported for graduates who experience fit.

Authors

• Ilke Grosemans, KU Leuven

• Katrien Vangrieken, KU Leuven

• Liesje Coertjens, Université Catholique de Louvain

• Eva Kyndt