Employer expectation of requisite skills of graduates of the master's in psychology with specialisation in research consultation (MARC) graduates

Abstract

This study aimed at describing employers’ expectations from MARC graduates, with the intention to address the skills required by employers from MARC graduates to be employable in the South African labour market, as a research question. To address this research question, the sociological institutional theory was applicable to construct the expectations of employers from MARC graduates. In addition, through the social constructionism paradigm, the methodology followed, included a generic qualitative research design and a snowball selection method to access ten participants, where data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the use of an interview schedule as a guide to conduct the interviews. Data received were transcribed, and a thematic analysis method applied for analysis. The findings of this study demonstrated the constructed expectations that employers shared, to make sense of effective research skills that MARC graduates should possess to become employable. These employers had important roles in decision-making phases of recruitment, hence, exploring their constructed expectations assisted in determining the requisite skills contributing towards graduateness and employability of MARC graduates. Therefore, the findings indicated that MARC graduates should obtain completed qualifications and be affiliated with a professional board for meaningful networking. Furthermore, employers of MARC graduates emphasised the value of recruiting graduates with generic skills that complemented their qualifications and contributed towards effective performance in the work world. Moreover, these employers valued MARC graduates with subject knowledge that would assist these graduates in performing work activities effectively. These employers indicated that MARC graduates were expected to obtain work experience prior to joining the working world. Therefore, employers of MARC graduates expect graduates who have been exposed to research processes and are able to apply these processes practically, to benefit different communities. The findings of this study might contribute to the curriculum development of training employable MARC graduates, as well as to address the needs of employers. However, the small number of participants involved in the study may be limitations to the study.