Students' use of extra-curricular activities for positional advantage in competitive job markets

• Published in: Journal of education and work Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 21 - 47
• Main Authors: Roulin, Nicolas, Bangerter, Adrian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 01.02.2013
• Subjects: Activities; Artistic activity; College Students; Competition; Competitive advantage; Credentials; employability; Employment Experience; Employment Potential; extra-curricular activities; Extracurricular Activities; Foreign Countries; Graduates; Higher Education; Interviews; Job requirements; Labor Market; Labour market; labour market competition; Participant Characteristics; Participation; Peers; positional advantage; Recruitment; Student Attitudes; Students; Switzerland; Values; Switzerland
• ISSN: 1363-9080; 1469-9435
• DOI: 10.1080/13639080.2011.623122

With the rise of mass higher education, competition between graduates in the labour market is increasing. Students are aware that their degree will not guarantee them a job and realise they should add value and distinction to their credentials to achieve a positional advantage. Participation in extra-curricular activities (ECAs) is one such strategy, as it allows students to demonstrate competencies not otherwise visible in their résumés due to limited job experience. This article presents data from interviews with 66 students about their use of ECAs in relation to the labour market. It describes the reasons students got involved in ECAs, how they integrate them in their résumés, their perceptions of their peers' behaviour and their beliefs about how employers will interpret their activities. Our data show that especially students involved in associations use ECAs to distinguish themselves from competition. Implications for employers, students and further research are discussed.