Navigating school-to-work transitions during COVID-19 in Türkiye: a qualitative analysis of graduating students’ narratives

COVID-19, as a global career shock, caused rapid changes that are likely to affect school-to-work transition (STWT) experiences. This article aimed to describe graduating university students' school-to-work transition (STWT) experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six graduating students (aged 22-24) from various disciplines in T & uuml;rkiye participated in the study. Data were collected through online semi-structured interviews and analysed using the Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) method. The analysis revealed four domains as the influencing participants' STWT: social, system-related, career adaptability and the COVID-19 pandemic. These domains highlighted participants' long-and short-term career plans, career support systems, as well as internal and external barriers. Participants' short-term career plans were disrupted, while long-term goals remained largely stable. Family influence, sectoral barriers and adaptability resources shaped their experiences. Findings offer guidance in improving young adults' ability to cope with career barriers and strengthen their career sources under today's unexpected conditions as they embark on the STWT.