On the value of university degrees in the field of social sciences or humanities and the supportive role of adult education

Abstract

The author deals with matching and mismatching of university graduates’ formal education with employment. The level of matching is different in different employment domains and in different European countries. Graduates whose university education is well matched with employment have a tendency to keep their job longer and earn more. The author emphasises the importance of continuous adult education and of »serious free time« activities for better matching one’s formal education and job. Further, Dušana Findeisen presents testimonials she collected from those who had obtained a university degree in the field of social sciences and humanities. In doing so she demonstrates their individualised life history and professional history, emphasising the supporting role of adult education in these histories.