Career Planning, Employment, and Career Development among Young Female High School Graduates

The purpose of this study is to analyze the status of career planning, employment and career development among young women with a high school diploma, and to recommend related youth employment policies. The research methods applied are: review of previous studies and policy documents; statistical analysis; questionnaire survey; and holding advisory group meetings. Immediately after graduating from vocational high school, women enjoy greater employment opportunities and higher quality of job than do men. However, after five years the gender gap in employment opportunities, job stability, and compensation begins to widen and women become bound into more unfavorable conditions. The majority of female workers with a high school diploma are less determined to sustain their present employment status and see a lower chance of developing their career to a higher level. Based on the results of analysis, this study recommends: improving the governance of youth employment policies and gender balance; prevention of career disruption among female workers with a high school diploma; improvement of conditions for combining work and learning; support for young female graduates from general high schools; introducing a lifelong career education for female high school students; and follow-up studies on employment and career development among young female workers with a high school diploma.