Factors associated with slow employment: evidence from the 2024 undergraduate cohort at Fujian University of Technology, China

Purpose This study estimates slow-employment prevalence at graduation, compares it with the university's full-cohort rate and examines adjusted associations of demographic, GPA, family-context and psychological factors with slow-employment status. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey yielded 385 valid responses. Work values and career self-efficacy (CSE) were assessed using established measures. SPSSAU analyses comprised descriptive statistics, non-parametric comparisons, Spearman correlations and two nested binary logistic regression models. Findings Slow employment accounted for 14.55% of respondents, close to the full-cohort rate of 15.31%. Relative to GPA <2, GPA 2 to <3 (OR = 4.11), GPA 3 to <4 (OR = 3.52), lower SES (OR = 2.70), and neutral parental stance (OR = 2.81) were associated with higher odds. Work values were not significant after adjustment, overall CSE was not associated with slow employment, and adding both did not significantly improve model fit. Practical implications Universities may benefit from differentiated support that considers GPA alongside family context. Time-bounded plans can combine examination preparation with continued job search for students pursuing competitive postgraduate or public-sector examinations. Lower-SES graduates may benefit from support for identified financial or mobility constraints, while family-facing guidance may help where timelines or alternatives remain unclear. Originality/value The study adds multivariable evidence to a literature often based on descriptive or bivariate analysis. It distinguishes slow employment from NEET and gap-year status, identifies factors that remain associated after adjustment, and tests whether work values and career self-efficacy add explanatory value beyond background factors.