Labour market chances for the humanities : analyses, perspectives, start-up
Abstract
"In our study we analyse the job situation of graduates in the humanities and social sciences with a special regard to self-employment. The conditions of access to the labour market, the various different forms of labour participation and the potential fields of occupation determine chances and career perspectives in these disciplines. The analysis itself is based on a triangulative approach: quantitative data from the German Micro Census are combined and validated with qualitative expert interviews. Thirdly, statistical analysis provides an overview of the labour market as well as detailed information on students and graduates. Furthermore the impact of the so-called 'Bologna process' on this occupational field is discussed. As it seems, the supply side of the labour market for humanities will be characterised by a strong surplus of graduates in the future whereas the demand for humanities will only be steady or will even decline. In the given economic situation, the strain on this partial labour market is therefore likely to increase. As a consequence, starting-up one's own business is becoming an option of increasing relevance. Despite the fact that persons trained in the humanities show a high degree of job mobility as they are found in a broad range of occupational fields, their general economic situation appears to be rather unsatisfying. Compared to other academics, they have significantly lower incomes, and total household incomes are also considerably lower than those of peer groups. The greatest task for the future will be to make the benefits and advantages of the humanities more visible and to sharpen their profile. This will require a self-critical appraisal of knowledge, skills and resources as well as a comprehensive analysis of the professional and personal requirements of the targeted occupational field - a challenge for both students and universities alike." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
Cite article
Kräuter, M., Oberlander, W. & Wießner, F. (2009): Arbeitsmarktchancen für Geisteswissenschaftler. Analysen, Perspektiven, Existenzgründung. (IAB-Bibliothek 320), Bielefeld: Bertelsmann, 265 p. DOI:10.3278/300679w