This study examines whether professionally oriented university instruction (POUI) influences early graduate career outcomes through personal employability dimensions.
Analyzing a sample of 303 graduates surveyed before and after graduation, the authors examined job attainment within six months and three specific indicators of job quality. Structural path analyses revealed that POUI indirectly increases the likelihood of securing employment within six months specifically by expanding students' social capital. Furthermore, POUI positively impacts job hierarchical levels through increased social capital while simultaneously improving educational horizontal fit and reducing perceived overqualification via the strengthening of career identity.
Overall, the findings provide key empirical evidence supporting university educational policies that integrate practical training and industry connections to facilitate a smoother school-to-work transition.
