Hussain, Ihtisam (2026) A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AND CAREER SUCCESS AMONG GEOLOGY GRADUATES OF ABBOTTABAD UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY(AUST). Masters thesis, UPN Veteran Jawa Timur.
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Abstract
Geology graduates in Pakistan face significant challenges in transitioning from higher education to the workforce. The disparity between university curricula, which primarily emphasize theoretical knowledge, and the practical competency demands of the labor market has resulted in substantial skill gaps, particularly in communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and professional discipline. This situation is further exacerbated by limited employment opportunities within the geology sector, forcing many graduates to pursue alternative career paths outside their field of expertise. This phenomenon raises a fundamental question regarding how employability skills contribute to shaping the career success of geology graduates within a competitive and dynamic labor market. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of seven geology graduates from the 2021 cohort at Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST) through semi-structured interviews. Participants were purposively selected from diverse career backgrounds, including the mining, oil and gas, banking, education, and occupational health and safety sectors. The thematic analysis revealed six major findings: (1) communication skills as the foundation of career development; (2) technical and practical competencies as key determinants of employability; (3) teamwork and collaborative learning as drivers of professional development; (4) adaptability and lifelong learning in career development; (5) problem-solving, professional discipline, and responsibility as the basis of career success; and (6) career success being perceived as professional growth, recognition, and personal fulfillment. The findings indicate that employability skills are transferable across sectors and serve as a bridge between academic education and labor market demands. The integration of Career Construction Theory (CCT) provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how employability skills are translated into sustainable career outcomes. The implications of this study recommend strengthening practical training, industry collaboration, and the development of soft skills within higher education curricula, particularly in the field of geology. Keywords: employability skills, career success, geology graduates, phenomenology, Career Construction Theory.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) | ||||||||||||
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| Contributors: |
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| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology |
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| Divisions: | Faculty of Economic and Business > Magister Management | ||||||||||||
| Depositing User: | Mr. Ihtisam Hussain | ||||||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jul 2026 02:25 | ||||||||||||
| Last Modified: | 10 Jul 2026 02:40 | ||||||||||||
| URI: | https://repository.upnjatim.ac.id/id/eprint/55052 |
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