Education-Job Mismatch among University Graduates in Cameroon: Labour Market Experiences, Perceived Causes and Impacts

Education-job mismatch among university graduates in Cameroon presents a significant challenge to both the graduates and country’s economy. Access to decent work is increasingly difficult for most university graduates in Cameroon and these graduates are finding refuge in ‘non-standard’ employment which often is below their level of education and outside their field of study. This study examines the perceptions and experiences of social sciences and humanities graduates on the issue of education-job mismatch and how being in mismatched jobs has affected them. The study employed the qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews to examine the issue of education-job mismatch among these graduates. The experiences shared by the participants indicated that they chose to pursue higher education and particular fields of study with the expectation of securing a job equivalent to their level of education and one that makes use of the knowledge they have acquired through school. However, their labour market experiences and the jobs they secured upon graduation indicate a gap between their expectations and the realities they were facing. The study suggests that for the issue of education-job mismatch to be addressed in the Cameroonian labour market, the educational system should be realigned with the market needs, so as to better utilize its skilled workforce, reduce underemployment and promote sustainable economic growth.