The role of higher education skills and support in graduate self‐employment

Abstract

This article examines the career progression of self‐employed graduates immediately following graduation and four years subsequently. Using a career socialization theory specific to entrepreneurial settings, it links the role of skills acquired in UK higher education courses and the use of support with self‐employment outcomes. Using a wide range of controls (e.g. individual background, prior education, career orientations), the article finds that higher education is initially important in supporting graduate self‐employment, but that this support decays in value.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Malcolm Tight and two anonymous referees for their useful comments. In addition, the article benefited from comments from the participants of the 4th International Entrepreneurship Research Exchange Conference. The usual disclaimer applies.