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Beyond Unmet Expectations A Detailed Analysis of Graduate Experiences at Work during the First Three Years of Their Careers

Beyond Unmet Expectations A Detailed Analysis of Graduate Experiences at Work during the First... Existing research on the early careers of graduates has providedsome useful information but has also suffered from several limitations.It has not examined the full range of graduate experiences, nor has itinvestigated differences between organizations or stages in earlycareer. Reports a study designed to overcome these and otherlimitations. Presents data concerning the reported experiences of 797graduates in the first three years of their careers with eightsubstantial UKbased recruiters of graduates. The most pervasive findingis that graduates experiences varied a great deal betweenorganizations. Thus it is important for managers and researchers toevaluate individual organizations rather than using aggregated data.Nevertheless, some general statements can be made. Graduates felt theirsocial relationships at work were harmonious, but this coexisted withless than adequate performance feedback from bosses, and some negativeopinions about colleagues. They tended to feel that career prospects inthe organization were fairly attractive, but were unsure about exactlywhat paths were available, or how to get onto them. Graduates generallydid not feel their work taxed their skills, but it neverthelessdeveloped them, and offered considerable autonomy. Training courses wererated quite positively, but some doubt was expressed about the overallplanning of training and development. Organizational systems were seenas neither helpful nor obstructive. Perceptions of the adequacy of payand benefits varied greatly between companies. With increasing tenure,graduates work involved more decision making and supervision of others,but not more autonomy or visibility within the company. Training wasperceived more positively in the first year than subsequently. Graduatesdid not become clearer about career paths with increasingtenure. Overall these results paint a complex and differentiated view ofgraduate experiences at work. Some trends identified in other work areconfirmed, but others are not. Specific areas of concern are identified.The data provide a benchmark against which other organizations can becompared. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Personnel Review Emerald Publishing

Beyond Unmet Expectations A Detailed Analysis of Graduate Experiences at Work during the First Three Years of Their Careers

Arnold, John; Mackenzie Davey, Kate
Personnel Review , Volume 21 (2): 24 – Feb 1, 1992
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References (19)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
0048-3486
DOI
10.1108/00483489210012053
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Existing research on the early careers of graduates has providedsome useful information but has also suffered from several limitations.It has not examined the full range of graduate experiences, nor has itinvestigated differences between organizations or stages in earlycareer. Reports a study designed to overcome these and otherlimitations. Presents data concerning the reported experiences of 797graduates in the first three years of their careers with eightsubstantial UKbased recruiters of graduates. The most pervasive findingis that graduates experiences varied a great deal betweenorganizations. Thus it is important for managers and researchers toevaluate individual organizations rather than using aggregated data.Nevertheless, some general statements can be made. Graduates felt theirsocial relationships at work were harmonious, but this coexisted withless than adequate performance feedback from bosses, and some negativeopinions about colleagues. They tended to feel that career prospects inthe organization were fairly attractive, but were unsure about exactlywhat paths were available, or how to get onto them. Graduates generallydid not feel their work taxed their skills, but it neverthelessdeveloped them, and offered considerable autonomy. Training courses wererated quite positively, but some doubt was expressed about the overallplanning of training and development. Organizational systems were seenas neither helpful nor obstructive. Perceptions of the adequacy of payand benefits varied greatly between companies. With increasing tenure,graduates work involved more decision making and supervision of others,but not more autonomy or visibility within the company. Training wasperceived more positively in the first year than subsequently. Graduatesdid not become clearer about career paths with increasingtenure. Overall these results paint a complex and differentiated view ofgraduate experiences at work. Some trends identified in other work areconfirmed, but others are not. Specific areas of concern are identified.The data provide a benchmark against which other organizations can becompared.

Journal

Personnel Review – Emerald Publishing

Published: Feb 1, 1992

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