Unemployed foreign graduates: job prospects and options – a case analysis in Portugal

Purpose - When graduates cannot get a job in their field of study, they have to consider alternative scenarios: extending studies while waiting for labor market conditions to improve; continuing looking for a qualified job; accepting a less qualified job; creating their own business; change their country of residence, which in the case of foreign citizens living in Portugal may involve new emigration or return to the country of origin. Design/methodology/approach - An online survey was conducted with 108 foreign graduates, unemployed, 47 of whom already hold Portuguese nationality. They were asked about their country of origin, nationality, graduation, field of education, previous jobs, unemployment and alternatives to face it. Findings - The results suggest that the main options considered are extending studies, continuing to seek skilled employment or a second migration. The desire to return to the country varies according to gender and, in some cases, the country of origin. Originality/value - There are no studies available on the possibilities for foreign recent graduate students in terms of their choices between entering the labor market or pursuing further education.