Abstract

Under the present circumstances, there are higher education expansion, a rising unemployment rate, and a gradual shrinking of labor market in Taiwan. This paper aims to explore how social connections could influence first-job achievement of recently university graduates with either less or without any working experiences. Also, this study tries to apply both human capital accumulation and social networks to explore occupational achievement of these first-job-seekers. Of both factors, that is, human capital and social networks, which one is more significant? In addition, the paper also attempts to make a comparison of job achievement of recently college graduates of both comprehensive universities and tech universities.

By using the concept of “human capital and social networks,” in terms of individual competency and career preparations during their college studies, such as professional aptitude, proficiency certificates, and part time working experiences, the study attempts to explore factors that influence occupational achievement of these first fulltime-job holders. Of all these factors, which can increase a personal occupational prestige? Of both “formal” and “informal” channels, which one will be more effective for these recent university graduates who search their first-fulltime jobs?

The result shows that “college prestige and degrees” impact more significantly than “social networks” for the group of recent university graduates. University majors, certificates, experiences of tutoring and interns are crucial for first job achievement among recent university graduates. A person’s occupational prestige is increased by utilizing proper “formal channels” rather than “informal channels” for these recent college graduates who search a first job. However, the weak ties hypothesis on job achievement is not proved in the study.