’Perhaps we're thinking there isn't a career out there for us’: A study of undergraduates' attitudes to their future prospects

Abstract

An investigation into how 24 arts undergraduates approached the process of making career decisions and plans is reported. The method included focus groups, diaries and individual interviews. The findings indicate that a lack of expectations about their future and a sense of being unwanted in the labour market may be leading to a culture of negativity amongst undergraduates. Whilst still subscribing to the generally outdated notion of vertical linear career pathways, the undergraduates considered that they would not be able to talk about having a ‘career’ or a ‘graduate job’, but would face the necessity of constant change and flexibility to keep employed. Five states of indeterminacy are identified which may represent barriers that undergraduates face in making plans for the future.