Unhappy grads on the move

Many grads who have landed jobs right out of school are likely to look for another job in two years. This is according to a recent survey conducted by Statistics Canada, The school-to-work transition: What motivates graduates to change jobs? Approximately 43,000 grads, currently working part-time and full-time, were interviewed. The survey shows that the decision to change jobs varies according to lifestyle and job satisfaction.

Out of 76 per cent of paid workers, 24 per cent were looking for another job. This number was higher for single grads than for those who were married, and those grads without dependent children had a higher job search rate compared to those who did.

Education levels also play a role in grads actively looking for a different job. Those graduating from a vocational/trade school (20 per cent) were less likely to change jobs whereas grads with doctoral degrees were actively seeking a new job.

Arts and science grads coming from a community college or vocational/trade school (41 per cent) had the highest job search rate. Those who majored in fine and applied arts in university had the second highest job search rate at 32 per cent; they also had the lowest median salaries. Health science university grads, engineering and applied science grads had the highest salaries, and also the lowest job search rates.

Job dissatisfaction is the major reason why grads want to leave their current positions. About 63 per cent of grads that were dissatisfied were searching for a new job, and only 26 per cent of those satisfied were interesting in working elsewhere.

Causes for job dissatisfaction included feeling overqualified, being unhappy with the nature of the job (work not related to field of study) and pay. Those grads willing to move to another city, province or country were also more likely to change jobs within two years.

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