Graduate employability has become a highly topical and contested issue in Vietnam. Many employers report that university students are not suitably prepared for work, and universities are often criticised for their poor commitment to developing student employability assets. Much of the criticism identifies the causes to be an outdated higher education curriculum coupled with too much reliance on traditional teaching approaches, and a general poor capacity of universities to support students to develop the skills that the market requires. This study challenges this ‘common sense’ (Gramsci, 1999) criticism that places the responsibility of student transition to the employment market squarely on the shoulders of universities. By analysing qualitative data, that includes the voices of students, recent graduates and employers, on issues related to employability, this study locates the criticisms of the Vietnamese higher education system within the wider social and cultural contexts related to the difficulties of student transition. It adopts Hillage and Pollard’s (1998) employability conceptual framework where the interplay between student employability assets, the ways students translate or deploy their university achievements in employment (Knight & York, 2004) and the internal and external contexts under which students seek work (Beckett & Mulcahy, 2006), interact to contribute a complex picture of employability.
The findings of this study reveal that enhancing graduate employability in Vietnam involves many factors that are often underplayed in the general literature. In the Vietnamese context, both the education system and the economy remain relatively underdeveloped; students are schooled to be passive learners and workers; and corrupt employment practices remain rife. Moreover, Confucian cultural features of face saving, hierarchical order in decision making, and the role of rumour and hearsay in a collectivist culture each play an important part in the different ways university graduates negotiate their transition to employment. The study suggests that universities, students, employers and other related stakeholders (including students’ families, government and educational policy makers) all need to acknowledge the rapid changes taking place in Vietnamese society. [...]
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Contextualizing the study
- 2.1 Vietnamese social and economic system from 1986 to present
- 2.2 The Vietnamese higher education system
- Chapter 3 Literature review: Enhancing Graduate Employability
- Chapter 4 Methodology
- 4.2 The change in research worldview
- 4.5 Research methods
- Chapter 5 Findings and interpretations
- 5.1 Perceptions of employability assets
- 5.2 Employability assets deployment and presentation
- 5.3 Job searching context
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis investigates the perspectives of Vietnamese university students and graduates regarding graduate employability. The study aims to understand the factors influencing their perceptions of employability assets, how they deploy and present these assets to potential employers, and the broader socio-cultural context shaping their experiences in the job market. The research seeks to identify areas where universities, students, employers, and policymakers can work together to enhance graduate employability in Vietnam.
- Perceptions of employability assets among Vietnamese students and graduates
- Strategies employed by graduates in the job search process
- The role of socio-cultural factors in influencing employability
- The contribution of higher education institutions to graduate employability
- Policy implications for enhancing graduate employability in Vietnam
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1 Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the research by outlining the author's personal motivation for undertaking the study, providing background information on the Vietnamese higher education system and its limitations in preparing graduates for the workforce, and articulating the research problem. It also highlights the significance of the study, defines its scope, and outlines its limitations. The chapter establishes the context of a rapidly changing Vietnamese economy and the challenges faced by graduates in securing employment. The author introduces the concept of employability as a complex issue requiring a multi-faceted approach.
Chapter 2 Contextualizing the study: This chapter provides essential background information on the Vietnamese socio-economic landscape since the Doi Moi reforms of 1986. It explores the rapid economic growth, the challenges of corruption in employment practices, and the specific human resource issues faced by Vietnamese enterprises. The chapter also offers a detailed overview of the Vietnamese higher education system, its structure, and its evolving role in addressing the demands of the national economy. The context established here is crucial to understanding the perspectives of students and graduates in later chapters.
Chapter 3 Literature review: Enhancing Graduate Employability: This chapter critically reviews existing literature on graduate employability, exploring the concept's evolution and various interpretations. It examines Western perspectives on the role of higher education in fostering employability, contrasting these with the specific challenges faced by the Vietnamese higher education system (HES). The chapter synthesizes various theoretical frameworks and empirical findings to build a robust research framework guiding the subsequent methodology and analysis. It highlights the gap in understanding the Vietnamese context and the need for a study specifically focused on the perspectives of students and graduates.
Chapter 4 Methodology: This chapter details the research methodology adopted, justifying the chosen approach within the broader context of research paradigms and worldviews. The author explains the shift in their research perspective and the implications for their approach to data collection and analysis. The chapter clearly articulates the research questions driving the study and describes the data collection techniques employed, including the selection of participants and the methods used to gather qualitative data through interviews. It lays out the data analysis plan to ensure rigor and transparency in the research process.
Chapter 5 Findings and interpretations: This chapter presents the findings of the study, focusing on the perceptions of employability assets among Vietnamese students and graduates. It explores the perceived importance of various assets, the complexities of understanding and articulating skills, and the perceived shortcomings of universities in developing these assets. The chapter also details how students deploy and present their employability assets in the job search context, highlighting the challenges they face due to factors such as weak networking, financial pressures, and prevalent societal norms. This chapter offers a detailed interpretation of the gathered data, providing insights into the complex interplay of factors shaping graduate employability in Vietnam.
Keywords
Graduate employability, Vietnamese higher education, student perspectives, job market, socio-cultural factors, skills development, employer expectations, research methodology, qualitative research, interview data.
Frequently Asked Questions: Vietnamese Graduate Employability
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis investigates the perspectives of Vietnamese university students and graduates regarding graduate employability. It explores factors influencing their perceptions of employability assets, how they deploy these assets, and the socio-cultural context shaping their job market experiences.
What are the key objectives of the research?
The study aims to understand: (1) perceptions of employability assets among Vietnamese students and graduates; (2) strategies employed by graduates in their job search; (3) the role of socio-cultural factors in influencing employability; (4) the contribution of higher education institutions; and (5) policy implications for enhancing graduate employability in Vietnam.
What is covered in each chapter?
Chapter 1 (Introduction): Sets the research context, highlighting the Vietnamese higher education system's limitations and the research problem. It defines the scope and limitations of the study. Chapter 2 (Contextualizing the study): Provides background on the Vietnamese socio-economic landscape since the Doi Moi reforms of 1986 and details the Vietnamese higher education system. Chapter 3 (Literature review): Critically reviews existing literature on graduate employability, contrasting Western perspectives with the Vietnamese context. Chapter 4 (Methodology): Details the research methodology, justifying the chosen approach, research questions, and data collection techniques. Chapter 5 (Findings and interpretations): Presents findings on perceptions of employability assets, their deployment, and the challenges faced by graduates in the job search.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include perceptions of employability assets, job search strategies, the influence of socio-cultural factors, the role of higher education institutions, and policy implications for improving graduate employability in Vietnam.
What methodology was used in this research?
The thesis employs a qualitative research methodology, with data collected through interviews. The chapter detailing the methodology justifies the chosen approach within the context of research paradigms and worldviews, explaining the shift in the researcher's perspective and its implications for data collection and analysis.
What are the key findings of the study?
The findings focus on Vietnamese students' and graduates' perceptions of employability assets, how they deploy these assets in the job search, and the challenges they encounter (weak networking, financial pressures, societal norms). The study offers insights into the interplay of factors shaping graduate employability in Vietnam.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Graduate employability, Vietnamese higher education, student perspectives, job market, socio-cultural factors, skills development, employer expectations, research methodology, qualitative research, interview data.
What is the target audience of this research?
This research is intended for academic use, analyzing themes in a structured and professional manner. The intended audience includes researchers, academics, policymakers, higher education institutions, and those interested in graduate employability in Vietnam.
- Quote paper
- June Tran (Author), 2013, Enhancing Graduate employability: The perspectives of Vietnamese university students and graduates, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/269615
