“Is it difficult to get a job when you leave education? Do you often find work in your preferred field?”

By Kamran Azizli

At the time we live, many young people face a problem of finding a job after graduating from high school. According to the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan, only 5% of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 are unemployed. Some experts however note that these indicators are inaccurate, because most of the young people are not registered as unemployed.

Last year, the number of graduates was almost 34,000 in Azerbaijan; however, it is unclear how many of them are provided with jobs, because universities and the education ministry cannot afford to note it as the educational dimensions are not responsible for students’ employment. I investigated the existing problem to establish facts and to show whether this situation in the economy is new. The relevance of the issue draws attention to the fact that there is a dual argument for the question among students.

Work -related-issues

Young people endure 4 year-study at university to become a qualified personnel, but sometimes it cannot help with their job. Students report that the main problem is that they are not given a chance to prove themselves and they are being evaluated unsatisfactory for their inexperience.When asked about their experiences in finding employment, students commented with:

“We don’t have to be a specialist to start in most fields – everyone needs to start somewhere. The more we work in the given field, the more we will get experience and eventually become an expert. If the problem is the transitioning into a new field. We can also be hired as an intern, and face a cut in benefits, utilising our current skills and after establishing enough trust, can be offered for a lateral transfer within that organisation.”

Student Related issues

Some of the young people who work, advise not to blame companies for the whole problem. They stated that it is a one-sided evaluation of the masses to say that graduates haven’t been accepted for being inexperienced. There are a lot of work places, but do all students meet the job requirements? When we studied at the university, only 5 out of 20 people got diploma with high marks and all of them are working know. Some students must ask a question to themselves, if it is enough to show full attendance to become truly qualified? Educational experts and mangers also have this idea – according to social experts, the lack of young people’s interest in education, thier lack of creative thinking and the low level of professionalism are one of the main factors affecting unemployment:

“The creative approach of young people to work is not at desirable level. A number of job seekers prefer mostly professional young people who are creative thinking and responsive to their work.”

Market competitiveness

There are also difficulties in finding a job. It’s mainly about the labor market and today’s business environment. It should be noted that the trends in socio-economic development of the country, including the needs of entrepreneurship subjects, should be taken into consideration in the formation of higher education and in the determination of qualifications. At present, young people are more involved for office work, reception, television, journalism and filmmaking. The interest in the profession of the teacher professionally chosen by its relevance has considerably diminished. So, if students want to get a job after university they must analyse the labour market and evaluate the situation if private companies or state bodies need such qualification and how many people find job in the same speciality in a year.

Job hunting and career development?

The facts that young people do not analyse the labor market create questions about unemployment and future career development. The two pursuits often include the same activities —polishing a resume, networking, and finding opportunities (paid or unpaid) to use your skills. An unspecified job search will lead to a job. But is that job part of your career plans? Will it help you achieve your long-term goals?

Even though there are vacancies in the country, young people do not see their place through their job prospects. Considering that some of the graduates are from further out regions of country, but most of them want to peruse their life in city. This job seeker may not be concerned about the skills he or she could gain on the job, a potential new network, or how the job will add to his or her resume. Even young people in the regions come to work in the capital. Most of the young people who flee from the region to the capital are engaged in small trade in the markets.

Institutional Promotion

Taking into account the existing problem, universities have attempted to make it easier for students to find a job suitable to their specificity. Universities provide students with higher education, but also help them with future careers. Universities specifically create “Career Centres” for realising this purpose. Among the missions of the University include helping students to build a successful career in their speciality and to inform them of their current vacancies. At all events organised at these centres provide detailed information on job announcements – however, it should be noted that not all the universities have the career centres and sometimes they do not work well. Some students complain that they just share links from job-search-sites, but it would be better to open new work places through creating bonds with companies.

Advice of employed people

Working young people are more optimistic about finding jobs in the preferred field. From interviews it is clear that if some companies have set some requirements for new graduates, well-ducated students can find the skills. One of the respondents divulged their experience in finding a career -oriented job, saying, “While many have problems finding career-oriented jobs today, I have not had problems in this regard, because I was seeking out volunteer positions, internships, job shadows, and other activities when I was senior year student. I continued to build my network in your chosen career field and stayed active in professional organisations. I advise the doing this to newcomers. Get certification related to your profession and set up interviews on a regular basis, so you can easily find a job as you graduate. Even if you need to find an instant job to follow with a work place that allows you the time to continue activities in your preferred field.

More about Kamran:

Kamran Azizli is a fourth year student at Azerbaijan state university of economics, in Baku. He plans to build his career in the accounting field, but he is also an amateur writer and photographer. Participating in several social events and volunteering programs, he has had great experience about social, cultural and educational topics. One of his favourites is to research actual issues in community and in the world and share it with his friends and followers on social media. You can get more information about him on Facebook and LinkedIn: @KamranAzizly.

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