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Abstract

This research aimed to examine intersectionality in relation to graduate experiences within the job market and employment. In particular, understanding the ways in which many social characteristics can interact and influence the experiences of recent graduates as they navigate the complexities of the job search process. Speaking to individuals who had graduated within the past five years, ensured that they had all graduated at a similar period. By providing a current perspective on their experiences, speaking with graduates who graduated in a corresponding time frame ensured the validity and applicability of research findings. Additionally, I prioritised talking with members of both majority and minority ethnic groups and ensuring that genders were divided 50% to present a reliable divide. My chosen approach for gathering primary data was conducting semi-structured online Zoom interviews. Topics such as gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic position and other characteristics were investigated to fathom how these elements influence graduates' experiences in the job marketplace. In conducting my research, I utilised thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns. Themes gradually surfaced as participants discussed their experiences and points of view, highlighting several aspects of their journey through the job market and search of employment. This dissertation has demonstrated that interconnecting types of discrimination can significantly influence graduates' experiences of prejudice or discrimination, opinions about their appropriateness for their present employment and access to career opportunities. The results showed that prejudice based on race and gender was still pervasive and that this had a significant influence on their experience when entering the job market. However, these findings also present an opportunity for possible advancement. In order to overcome these discrepancies and develop more inclusive and fair employment procedures, companies and legislators could utilise the issues presented as a basis for improvement.

Course: Sociology and Criminology - BSc (Hons) - C0979

Date Deposited: 2024-11-07

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14490.html