University graduates’ perceptions of the COVID-19 recession: A survey of employment and individual post-graduation action plans

Doan Thi Huong; Lam Thi Lan Huong; Nguyen Thi Huong

Nguyen Thi Huong	huongnguyenthi@tlu.edu.vn	Thuy Loi University, Vietnam
Doan Thi Huong	dunguong@tlu.edu.vn	Thuy Loi University, Vietnam
Lam Thi Lan Huong	lamhuong@tlu.edu.vn	Thuy Loi University, Vietnam

Summary:

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic reached most countries globally, economies have suffered more or less a change in all activities. Vietnamese firms have been struggling with economic consequences associated with social distancing measures and lockdown. Firms in Vietnam have had to apply strategies of reshaping business, cutting costs and laying off staff. In this context, graduating students should have concerns. This study investigates their perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employability and their perceptions of training gaps. The study explores what graduating students prepare to find a job after graduation and their future career intentions. In addition, the research is aimed at students’ proposals for universities’ support to help them cope flexibly with the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used quantitative research methods, including an online questionnaire designed on Google Forms to collect data over a 3-week time frame in May 2020. More than 500 suitable responses were collected for descriptive statistical analysis with the support of SPSS software. The results of the study reveal that the final year students are well aware of the disadvantages when they graduate in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of them are willing to accept the difficulties and adjust themselves to survive and have a job. This study proposes solutions to assist graduating students by providing justifications, adaptation and skill improvement sets for better employability. In addition, this study also highlights information for higher education institutions with students’ perceptions of career orientation and new skill training to respond to Vietnam’s market demands.

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Keywords:

COVID-19

employment

university graduates

students

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Journal:

Volume. 17 - issue 2 / 2021

VIETNAM JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES

University graduates’ perceptions of the COVID-19 recession: A survey of employment and individual post-graduation action plans