Graduate employability during the COVID-19 pandemic

This chapter aims to understand the social and educational inequalities influencing graduate employability and the relevance of career agency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on survey data (N=502) from the 2020 cohort of graduates from institutions in the City of Glasgow, we aim to understand objective (i.e., employment status and salary) and subjective (i.e., job satisfaction and perceived employability) employability based on social and educational background, and career competencies. Controlling for known correlates of graduate employability, findings identify arts and humanities graduates, alongside those with long-term health problems, as potentially vulnerable groups. The study confirms the heightened relevance of career competencies for navigating uncertain and ambiguous labour markets. We conclude by presenting recommendations for strategies relevant for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.