Graduates' perceptions of training and employment: case in the nutrition program

Abstract

The educational system in Mexico must adapt to a globalized labor market, prioritizing specific and generic skills in graduates. Universities, through follow-up studies of graduates, evaluate the alignment between academic training and labor needs, identifying areas of improvement to optimize employability and respond effectively to social and market demands. In this context, the objective of the study was to characterize the perception of graduates of the bachelor’s degree in nutrition regarding their academic training and their labor insertion process in the State of Mexico. A quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental and transversal design was used, through a validated survey administered digitally to 454 graduates between January and April 2023. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS 25.0 software. The results revealed that 59% of the graduates were not employed and that, among those who were, 60.8% worked in areas not related to their professional training. The main barrier identified was the lack of job opportunities. However, the majority of graduates expressed satisfaction with their academic training, although they suggested adjustments to the curriculum, such as the inclusion of content related to sports nutrition and a greater emphasis on practical experience. This study highlights the importance of making curricular adjustments and strengthening the links between educational institutions and the labor sector to improve the employability of graduates, thus ensuring a better response to the demands of the labor market.