Coping Strategies of Delayed Transition-To-Work of Higher Institution Graduates in Sebeta, Oromia Region

The school-to-work transition marks a critical turning point, making young individuals’ shift from formal education to the labor market and their quest for economic independence. In Ethiopia, however, a growing number of higher education graduates, coupled with limited job growth, have made this transition increasingly complex and challenging. This study investigated the coping strategies graduates employ to navigate these challenges. Using a qualitative case study approach, 16 participants were purposefully selected from two groups: unemployed and underemployed graduates. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews, semi-structured interviews, supplemented by secondary source review. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that graduates adopt a combination of coping strategies rather than a single approach. These include seeking familial and network support; marriage and cohabitation; casual labor; commuting for work; leveraging political connections, volunteerism and freelance services; and religious engagement. These strategies are not mutually exclusive. The support graduates receive is often contingent on situational factors, necessitating dynamic switching between mechanisms. For policymakers, these findings highlight the need for interventions that address graduates’ specific needs, considering situational nature of their coping strategies and local opportunities to enhance effectiveness.