Life course challenges in crises: transition from higher education to work during COVID-19 in Finland and Sweden

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the daily continuity of young people by causing financial insecurity, remote work/studies, loss of work, loneliness, stress, and unpredictability of the future. This study explores the experiences of pandemic-time graduates from Finland and Sweden in the transition from higher education to work. Finland and Sweden are culturally and socially rather similar Nordic welfare states, and while both utilised different pandemic strategies, education and work were both widely remote in both countries and social mobility limited due to travel restrictions. The data of this study include ten focus group discussions of university students who graduated during the first year of the pandemic. The data is analysed using thematic content analysis, particularly in the context of employability perceptions, professional agency, and financial solutions. The results revealed that the pandemic amplified inequalities and increased concerns regarding job security, with graduates in some disciplines impacted more than others. The findings raise questions regarding post-pandemic labour market trends and career decision making between secure and insecure fields.

KEYWORDS:

• Covid19
• employment
• young adulthood
• life course
• higher education

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Linnea Koponen for assistance in conducting and transcribing the Swedish interviews, Mimi Vihavainen for assistance in mediating the interviews, and Dr. Viktor Elliot and Dr. Magnus Roos from the University of Gothenburg for general assistance in carrying out the interviews.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by the Research Council of Finland under grant #335635 and from the Strategic Research Council under grant #327237 and #352544.

Notes on contributors

Julia A. Nuckols

Julia A. Nuckols, MA is a Doctoral Researcher in Sociology. Her research focuses on the role of social media and societal crises and their effects on young adulthood development and challenges.

Anu Sirola

Anu Sirola, is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Sociology. Her research focuses on the role of social media and emerging technologies in gambling and consumption behaviours, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young adults’ lives.

Minna Ylilahti

Minna Ylilahti, is a University Teacher in Sociology. Her research focuses on age and the life course, health and well-being and digitalisation.

Terhi-Anna Wilska

Terhi-Anna Wilska, is Professor in Sociology. Her research interests include consumption and digitalisation, youth economic well-being and the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on young adults.