“Today, long studies are the norm, but in reality, like many people, we find ourselves stuck”

A graduate of Lille University with a master’s degree in history, 27-year-old Mathieu (who did not want to give his name), signed a small contract in early January to conduct surveillance at the museum. He is well aware that, given his level of education, he can expect better. But, for the moment, that’s all it’s got. After his license, he decided to push himself towards bac + 5, to ensure a better position in the job market. In a master’s degree in history, most students want to become professors and a very small number manage to do doctorates. But for others?

Since September 2023, Matthew has searched in vain in journalism, in culture – for festivals, institutions…. So this student’s job at a museum, paying hourly minimum wage – he hopes to work twenty hours per week, or an income of 800 to 900 euros per month – is better than nothing. “Today, there is a refinement of long studies, but in fact like many people, we block ourselves while looking for work and then downgrade in terms of salary”, young man mourning. Joe’s parents were wine growers and hospital maintenance workers “So happy and proud” After his master’s degree, they also did not expect that their son’s job search would be so difficult.

It’s understandable: getting a master’s degree saves you from unemployment. According to a note from the Information Systems and Statistical Studies Sub-Directorate of the Ministry of Higher Education, published in December 2023, 75.1% of 2021 master’s graduates (excluding master’s degrees in teaching, learning and training)

Eighteen months after completion of studies there is a paid job. The majority (63.5%) are employed in the private sector under permanent contracts. In terms of sectors, it is graduates in law, economics and management who integrate the best (employment rate 77.1% at eighteen months) and the fastest. But contrary to what previous generations may have experienced, having a bac + 5 on your CV is no guarantee of finding a position that matches your desires or fulfills your ambitions.

Reduced rate of executives

The first is because the number of master’s graduates has increased significantly, far exceeding the number of highly qualified positions. Several factors contributed to this: the rate of access to higher education – in 2021, 82.8% of people of the age group were graduates – but also in 2004, the establishment of the license system – master-doctorate, which made it possible to standardize it. Training level in Europe.

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