PhDs
Summary reports derived from PhDs
Degree outcomes for University of Reading students- Sarah Jewell, 2008
Labour market outcomes for University of Reading students, Sarah Jewell, 2008
Student Employment - Jewell, 2008
PhD economics 2005-2008
Sarah Jewell, BSc, MSc (Royal Holloway), PhD
Email:s.l.jewell@reading.ac.uk
Sarah was based in the School of Economics at the University of Reading, and was supervised by Dr Zella King and Dr Alessandra Faggian-Matsen.
Thesis title:
Human capital acquisition and labour market outcomes in UK higher education
Thesis abstract:
In recent decades participation in higher education in the UK has increased but at the same time students increasingly faced a greater burden of the costs.With the government keen to increase participation it is important to understand the costs and benefits of higher education for the individual student.This thesis is a microeconomic study investigating formal and informal human capital acquisition in UK higher education and the subsequent labour market outcomes, stemming from the human capital theory developed in the 1960s. The research is based on the 2006 and 2007 University of Reading graduate cohorts (4,577 observations) using data collected from the University of Reading student database and the Destinations of Leavers in Higher Education survey, with further data collected on 678 graduates through an employment survey. Our analysis incorporates a variety of econometric methods, including discrete choice modelling, and used a broader range of socio-economic background variables, including parents' income and education than previous studies.
Important findings include that gender, age, prior academic achievement, school background and degree subject all impact on formal human capital acquisition, with little evidence of any socio-economic background effects.Results from our employment survey data indicate that term time employment is generally undertaken for financial or consumption reasons than for further investment in human capital.On average, term time employment has no effect on degree outcomes, but students working for financial necessity or with a greater intensity, underperform.There is also some evidence that those who work during term time for work experience reasons receive higher salaries upon graduation.The main labour market outcomes examined are the likelihood of obtaining graduate level employment and graduate salaries. Despite women having better degree outcomes they are less successful than men in the labour market.Students with a first class degree and graduates in particular fields are more likely to obtain graduate level employment and have higher salaries. We also find some support that there is both a human capital and signalling role in the determination of graduate wages.
Findings:
A summary of the main results from the PhD can be found in "Summary of findings". A report on 'Student employment: who works and why?' can be found in "Full report".
PhD 'student experiences' 2005-2009
Maura O'Regan BA, MPhil, Diploma in Careers Guidance, PhD
Email:m.oregan@reading.ac.uk
Maura was based in the School of Management at the Henley Business School, the University of Reading and was supervised by Dr Zella King and Dr Bill Gothard.
Thesis title:
Career pursuit: towards an understanding of undergraduate students' orientation to career
Thesis abstract:
This thesis is based on a longitudinal research project conducted at the University of Reading to learn more about the career development of undergraduate students. The research is timely because we have entered a new era in higher education. Government targets and the widening participation agenda leading to increased third level participation have resulted in the growth of a diverse undergraduate population, with differing needs and expectations. The research also comes at a time when universities and employers are concerned with enhancing graduate employability to ensure success in an increasingly competitive labour market. For these reasons, it is important to understand more about how undergraduates approach their careers.
The research study is based on a series of interviews and diary entries involving a group of thirty second-year undergraduates from two disciplinary areas, one business-orientated and the other more traditionally Arts based. The findings are described and analysed from an interpretive perspective and presented in the form of quotations, vignettes and career narratives. The factors that have influenced career ideas, including the role of career-related activities, are explored in terms of how they impact on students' pursuit of career. The analysis of the information gathered over the period of an academic year, reveals a complex and incisive picture of undergraduate conceptualisation and orientation to career.
This research makes theoretical, methodological and practical contributions to our knowledge of the career development of young people. From the perspective of theory, it has implications for career theory as a new typology for explaining undergraduate students' career development is proposed. Methodologically, this research challenges positivist designs and has implications for researchers engaging in qualitative projects in general, as questions of reflexivity and ethical boundaries are raised. From a practical perspective, the findings suggest that as students are oriented to pursue their education, future and careers in different ways, different approaches to implementing careers support and the employability agenda are required. As a result of these findings, suggestions for possible future research and practice are proposed.
Future research:
In order to gain a longer term perspective on transition, identity and employability, Maura is following a group of the original volunteers through their first year following graduation.