‘Mind the Gap!’: Exploring the post-graduation outcomes and employment mobility of individuals who are first in their family to complete a university degree

This report details the findings and recommendations from the NCSEHE Research Fellowship entitled ‘Mind the Gap!’ Exploring the post-graduation outcomes and employment mobility of individuals who are first in their family to complete a university degree. This one-year study explored how learners intersected by a range of equity categories entered the employment market and how individuals experienced this entry qualitatively. Adopting a mixed methods approach, the study analysed statistics related to post-graduation outcomes for the general student population, comparing them to those of cohorts from key equity groups, including students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, students from rural and remote areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. This data was complemented by qualitative interviews and survey responses provided by recent graduates and alumni, all of whom were first in their family to come to university. Stakeholders from Australia and the UK also provided input into this research via both surveys and interviews.