Juventude e inserção no mercado de trabalho: análise do caso dos egressos de cursos de graduação da UFFS – Campus Erechim

Abstract

The present study addresses the theme “Youth and Integration into the Labor Market: An Analysis of the Case of Graduates from UFFS – Erechim Campus.” The research focuses on alumni from two undergraduate programs at UFFS, namely Pedagogy (Licentiate) and Architecture and Urbanism (Bachelor’s degree). For the purposes of this study, graduates are considered young if they fall within the age range of 15 to 29 at the time of degree completion, within a temporal scope of eight years, covering the period from 2015 to 2022. The primary objective of this investigation is to understand the conditions under which graduates from UFFS – Erechim Campus enter the labor market upon completing higher education. The research problem is articulated around identifying the determining factors, opportunities, and barriers encountered by young alumni from UFFS – Erechim in their professional integration. Situated within an interdisciplinary program, the study draws upon the interconnection of multiple fields and areas of knowledge, fostering reflections that contribute to broader perspectives and the formulation of potential solutions to the issues under examination. The methodological approach is rooted in qualitative research, employing semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection technique and content analysis as proposed by Laurence Bardin. The analysis of the empirical material revealed that the transition from higher education to the labor market among young graduates constitutes a complex process involving diverse trajectories. Three transition categories were identified: Labor Continuity, characterized by maintaining employment held prior to graduation, closely linked to technical training, with graduates emphasizing the value of theoretical and academic preparation while pursuing professional development; Formative Adherence, the most representative category, in which graduates acknowledge the importance of internships and theoretical training, seek both personal and financial recognition in their profession, and underscore the need for greater practical experience during their studies; and Occupational Redirection, in which graduates opt for professional engagement in areas outside their original degree field, seeking either greater personal alignment or financial viability. The demand for more practical activities throughout the undergraduate experience was highlighted across all three categories as a central challenge for professional transition, evidencing a recurring structural gap in the academic–labor interface.