Coping with career boundaries and boundary-crossing in the graduate labour market

Okay-Somerville, Belgin and Scholarios, Dora (2014) Coping with career boundaries and boundary-crossing in the graduate labour market. Career Development International, 19 (6). ISSN 1362-0436 (https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-12-2013-0144)

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Abstract

Purpose: This article explores the nature and role of career boundaries for enabling/constraining career self-management for occupational boundary-crossing in the UK graduate labour market. Methodology: The data is provided by career history interviews with 36 UK graduates. The analysis contrasts transitions for those who started careers in low- intermediate- and high-skilled segments of the labour market. Findings: Availability of development and progression opportunities were the most prominent career boundary experienced. Ease of boundary-crossing differed by career stage and educational background. Boundaries enabled career self-management by acting as psychological/external push factors, but push factors only aided progression to high-skilled segments for a third of graduates who started careers in underemployment. For the rest, an adaptation of expectations to labour market realities was observed. Research limitations/implications: Although career history interviews limit generalisability, they contextualise boundaries and deepen understanding of career actors’ subjective experiences and responses. Practical implications: The study highlights the role of labour market and demand-side constraints for career transitions as well as proactive career behaviours. This has implications for career counsellors, employers and individuals. Originality/value: This article provides a distinctive ‘boundary-focused’ analysis of emerging career boundaries in the graduate labour market. The findings point to the intricate interplay between structure and agency for career development.

ORCID iDs

Okay-Somerville, Belgin and Scholarios, Dora ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3962-3016;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:49356
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    2014
    Published
    23 September 2014
    Published Online
    19 August 2014
    Accepted
    Notes:. This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here on this repository. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - See more at: http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/authors/writing/author_rights.htm
    Subjects:Social Sciences > Industries. Land use. Labor > Management. Industrial Management
    Department:Strathclyde Business School > Work, Organisation and Employment
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:24 Sep 2014 15:24
    Last modified:11 Nov 2024 10:47
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/49356
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