Factors Affecting the Employability of First Degree Graduating Millennials: A Case of Employers of United States International University-Africa Graduates

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the employability of first degree graduating millennials with a focus on employers that hire USIU-Africa graduates. The study was guided by the following research questions: - To what extent do non-technical skills affect employability of USIU-Africa graduates? What is the effect of work values on the employability of USIU-Africa graduates? How does career preparedness affect employability of USIU-Africa graduates?

The study employed descriptive research design. The target population in this study were 80 employers that hired USIU-Africa graduates. A census sampling was applied. Primary data was collected using an online link sent via emails of the employers. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Both descriptive and inferential data analysis were conducted. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the independent variables on the dependent one. The results were presented in the form of table and figures with brief explanations.

Findings on non-technical skills revealed that written and oral communication were important for employability purposes. Problem solving skills and creative thinking were identified by employers to be significant to employability. Study findings also showed that creative thinking, information management, and leadership skills were non-technical skills that played a significant role in employability. The study findings also showed that adaptive skills, teamwork skills, work related disposition and self-management were imperative for employability purposes.

Findings on work values showed that the nature of work and opportunities for growth were vital for employability. The same findings were noted for skill and experience rewarding systems and availability of periodically reviewed competitive salaries and benefits. The study findings indicated that organizations that were open to change and encouraged self-enhancement while valuing employee relations with other workers and supervisors were very significant to employability. The study revealed that employee independence and input were also significant to employability.

Study findings on career readiness indicated that effective presentation, a well written curriculum vitae (CV), and a portfolio of past works were very significant to employability. This was also true for other factors including mentorship programs, and own initiative which were also found to be significant for employability.

The study concludes that non-technical skills, work values and career readiness were all significant factors for employability. These factors however, influenced employability differently with career readiness leading with 48.8% followed by non-technical skills at 44.6%, and finally work values at 38.8%. This showed that employers were interested in all-rounded candidates.

The study recommends that organizations adopt behavioral interviewing during their recruitment. This will allow recruiters to achieve the perception of its candidates as well as understand their values and motivations. From these evaluations, recruiters would be in a good position to determine whether the candidates will be best fit for the organisation in terms of the organization’s culture and values.