University degree benefits and labour market experiences of non-traditional graduates in Uganda

Abstract

Studies on the transition from university to the workforce have revealed that non-traditional students (NTS) often face more challenges, including discrimination and a higher likelihood of securing lower-quality jobs compared to traditional students. Despite these findings, there is a scarcity of studies examining the specific benefits NTS derive from obtaining a university degree and their labour market experiences including their future career plans. Moreover, many studies do not deeply explore these issues from the perspectives of disadvantaged graduate groups. Drawing on Bourdieu’s notion of capital and current discourses on graduate employment opportunities, this paper uses the perspectives of non-traditional graduates (NTG) to discuss the benefits of obtaining a university degree, their labour market experiences, and their future career plans within the context of Uganda. The benefits were found to be social, economic, personal, and professional, with notable overlap between social and personal benefits, revealing tensions between individualism and collectivism in Ugandan society. Various factors were found to positively and negatively shape NTG’s labour market experiences, with further training and self-employment being key aspects of their future career plans. The paper discusses the implications of these findings for understanding the intersection of education, labour market dynamics, and societal values.