Survey of the employment status of knowledge & Information Science graduates of Qom University

The employment problem is one of the definitive goals of university students. Improving employment and evaluating the performance of higher education centers is based on researching in this area. Accordingly, the present study seeks to evaluate the job status of knowledge and Information science graduates of Qom University.

This study is an applied research carried out by a descriptive survey method and a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population consists of all graduates of Qom University (402 people). 302 people completed the questionnaires. The list of graduates is provided through the graduates’ section of education department of Qom university. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software.

Of all the graduates of knowledge and Information science graduates in Qom University (402 students), 302 completed the questionnaires. 82.1% of the respondents were women and 17.9% were men. 51.7% of the respondents were employed at the time of the survey and 48.3% were unemployed. The lowest unemployment rate is related to the graduates of Qom University 2001 and 2002 and the highest unemployment rate is between 2006 and 2007. Unemployment in admitted students of 2001 to 2006 was almost upward, and after the decline in unemployment for several years, the upward trend was repeated again for the years 2009 to 2012. Of the 156 employed respondents, 64.7% (101 people) work in education related jobs but 35.3% (55 people) expressed that there is no relationship between their job and their proficiency. The proportion of people who work in related jobs in female and male respondents, differs significantly. Most graduates who work in specialized jobs are librarians. Most of the respondents (56.4%) started their jobs after receiving the bachelor's degree. Almost, half of the respondents who work in education related jobs have waited less than a year to find a job.

In recent years, our country is facing the problem or crisis of graduate unemployment. Therefore, it is necessary for planners to look at the job status of graduates from a more realistic perspective and then make appropriate decisions. For this reason, after investigating the employment status of Information Science and knowledge studies graduates of Qom University, we claim that Improving the employment status of graduates requires the establishment of “work and employment group” at the university and implementing proposed policies and programs. Moreover, introducing the field correctly to university entry volunteers and related organizations, modifying the admission process and balancing gender based on labor market needs, and increasing its fit with the job market, can improve the employment status of graduates. Also, in order to connect students with the labor market cross-sectionally, it is suggested that the university create an employment agreement with institutions with education related jobs; For example, create an agreement whit public libraries to use Qom University students for part-time jobs, such as cataloging.