Analysis of Overeducation in Entry-Level Jobs in the Context of the Education-Employment Relationship

The purpose of this research is to analyze the education-employment relationship in the context of education economics theories, based on the views of overeducated individuals who work in entry-level jobs and have graduated from associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees and have a higher level of education than their colleagues with the same status. The experiences of over-educated individuals were analyzed via content analysis by applying a semi-structured form, which was implemented by the researcher on 31 entry-level employees working in companies affiliated with the Ankara Chamber of Industry. Findings show that the causes of overeducation are economic deprivation, unemployment, field of education, educational expansion, firm structure, and labor market conditions. The recruitment criteria of employers are professional certificates, references, status difference, technical qualifications, personal characteristics, educational qualifications, and experience of individuals.