NCJ Number
200370
Journal
Youth Studies Australia Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2003 Pages: 11-17
Date Published
March 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the transition from school to work of 11 youths in New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
Starting full-time work is a major milestone for young Australians, and much policy attention and many government programs have focused on the individuals who have been unable to secure full-time work upon leaving school. Focusing on the views of 11 young Australians during their first year of employment, the author presents individuals’ ideas about starting work, their expectations, and the reality experienced by these youths, based on in-depth interviews. The author found that despite some difficulties within the work force, at the end of the first year, all 11 individuals were still employed or about to enter tertiary study. In terms of expectations concerning work, most of the young people were nervous about success and needed support from both their employers and their parents in transitioning to full-time employment. Each of the young people interviewed could recall their first day of work clearly and indicated that it was a frightening experience. In terms of challenges of entering the work force, the 11 individuals cited getting to work on time, coping with long days, understanding the organization’s “culture,” coping with difficult tasks, experiencing work stress, dealing with unpleasant managers, and determining a lack of career opportunity as the key difficulties experienced at work. Adult mentors, interest from family members, familiarity with the work place, and the self-efficacy of the individuals interviewed were all important in contributing to job success for these Australian youths. Tables, references