The differences in the quality of the first job between college locations and their influencing factors: implication for adult career education

This study examined the differences in the quality of the first job among young adults based on college location and the factors affecting it. Particularly, it analyzed whether there is a difference in the quality of the first job between college location over a time shift (10-year difference), utilizing the 10th and 19th rounds of data from the ‘Graduates Occupational Mobility Survey’. Also, based on the empirical analysis, this study drew some implications for adult career education. Statistical analysis methods included the ‘partial proportional odds model’ and the estimation of transition probabilities. The results revealed that firstly, graduates from in-Seoul universities were more likely to transition to preferred jobs than those from non-Seoul area universities, but less likely to transition to non-preferred jobs. Secondly, the advantage of in-Seoul university graduates transitioning to preferred first jobs still exists, but the extent was somewhat reduced in 2020 compared to 2011. Thirdly, even after controlling for various variables, the impact of college location, especially graduating from in-Seoul universities, on the quality of the first job was statistically significant. The impact of in-Seoul universities on the quality of the first job had decreased in 2020 compared to non-Seoul areas, even with changes over the survey time points.