“COMPARING PRE-PLACEMENT EXPECTATIONS VS POST-PLACEMENT REALITIES IN THE CAREER JOURNEY OF FRESH GRADUATES”

The transition from school to the job market is an important milestone in the lives of new graduates. This research intends to investigate the gap between students expectations before they are placed and the real-life experiences upon entering the working world. Based on the analysis of data gathered from recent graduates in different fields, the study highlights the major areas of mismatch, such as job positions, compensation levels, work-life balance, opportunities for career advancement, and organizational culture. The research also investigates how these mismatches affect job satisfaction, motivation, performance. Through qualitative and quantitative approaches, the study sheds light on the determinants of expectation-reality gaps and makes suggestions to educational institutions, employers, and students on how to close this gap. Ultimately, the research aims to facilitate a smoother career transition for new graduates by promoting realistic career planning and closer congruence between academic training and industry needs. KEY WORDS: Fresh Graduates, Pre-placement Expectations, Post-placement Realities, Career Transition, Job Satisfaction, Expectation-Reality Gap, Workplace Adaptation, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Employment Outcomes