Students require different qualities to navigate a labor market in unstable economic conditions. A rising number of graduates aren’t getting jobs in the short-term, and we’re also analyzing more underemployment, with graduates in less skilled roles.

In a period of extreme global competition for jobs, being capable to recruit and retain graduates who’re devoted, satisfied and productive is crucial for any business. Employers claim that new graduates be “well-rounded” with powerful technical, communication and team-working skills. They also seek life experience through sporting and community tasks.

Although all this might be meaningless if they do not know what jobs are out there, what their own strengths and weaknesses are, or have not established any professional contacts to assist get their foot in the door.

Better skills of career management means students are more likely to get a job but the benefits do not stop there. In the end of the “job for life” period, graduates will use these skills to stay employed by moving across different roles, getting short-term work contracts and even seeking jobs abroad.

If students are better at planning for their careers, it might also decrease the charges to employers from a high turnover of staff and lower productivity and wellbeing when graduate recruits are poorly matched to available positions.

A follow up study of the Australian business students indicates students who completed an internship were more satisfied with their career choices. This is significant because dissatisfaction with career choice can cause lower grades, unhappiness and poor levels of devotion at work.