University graduates and placement: an approach to the Latin American and Spanish panorama

Abstract

A panorama of globalization, economic volatility, increasing numbers of university graduates, and other phenomena restrict the access of university graduates (with bachelor’s or graduate degrees) to the labor market. This article presents a reflection on graduate placement research in Spain and Latin America. The results of this literature review suggest there is a limited number of studies in the field. Nevertheless, most of them have been conducted in recent years, especially at the end of the last decade. This review also identified articles about graduates and employability that basically analyze statistical data along with income (type of employment and salary). Other authors have examined relationships with reorganization and changes in higher education. Finally, while part of the studies on the subject have detected the weaknesses and strengths of the recently graduated, others have shed light on requirements and points of attention regarding the specific type of education that companies require. This insight is invaluable for developing educational policies that address the needs of the current labor market.

Keywords

• company
• graduate
• work placement
• university
• educational policy.