The role of career services in sustaining students’ perceived employability: a quasi-experimental approach

This study analyses the impact of career advancement and industrial networking initiatives (CAIN) provided by the University’s career services on students’ perceived employability (PE). Furthermore, the study analyse whether the effectiveness of these kind of career services is shaped by students’ gender and degree type. The study employ a quasi-experiment method based on pre-post-test questionnaire, collecting data on 277 students at University of Milano-Bicocca, before and after their participation in career services. The results of non-parametric and parametric analysis show that the career advancement and industrial networking initiatives are effective in developing students’ perceived employment chances in the labour market). The results also show that CAIN services are more effective for males than for females, and for students enrolled in no-STEM degrees. In doing this, the study expands research on the role of university in supporting students’ PE and university-to-work transitions.