First class women in the world of work: employability & labour market orientations

Smetherham, Clare 2004. First class women in the world of work: employability & labour market orientations. [Working Paper]. School of Social Sciences Working Papers Series, vol. 45. Cardiff: Cardiff University.

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Abstract

Within what is increasingly being referred to as a ‘knowledge-driven economy’, where notions of employability have taken centre stage, it is often assumed that those with first class honours degrees will receive the best employment opportunities, regardless of factors such as gender, social background or educational biography. This paper critically evaluates such assumptions. Drawing on survey and interview data the paper outlines some of the differences and similarities in and between the profiles of first class female and male respondents – firstly in terms of their relative ‘positions’ within the labour market, and then in terms of their subjective labour market perceptions, experiences and values. In doing so the paper explores the extent to which, and ways in which, the graduate labour market for those with first class honours degrees may be viewed as ‘gendered’. In light of the data presented, the paper ends by re-assessing widespread conceptualizations of ‘employability’, incorporating an understanding of its socially constructed nature and arguing for the incorporation of the voices of high achieving young men and women.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Publisher:	Cardiff University
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	08 Oct 2015 14:21
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/78088

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