Izabela Ostoj

University of Economics in Katowice,

Katowice, Poland

izabela.ostoj@ue.katowice.pl

PROBLEMS OF POLISH STUDENTS WITH GAINING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF EUROPE 2020 STRATEGY GOALS

Abstract.The assessment of the situation in the Polish labour market based on chosen indices  derived from the Europe 2020 strategy draws attention to the issue of the university graduates’ transition into the labour market. According to the studies focused on the perspective of an employer, professional experience constitutes one of the crucial factors which precondition quick labour inclusion of university graduates. Its significance is underlined by numerous theoretical concepts, especially by the human capital theory. The paper aims to identify problems which accompany the process of gaining professional experience during academic studies. The results of a survey study conducted over a section of students in the master’s degree course in economics at the University of Economics in Katowice in years 2014 and 2015 are presented. The analysis provided the basis to formulate conclusions with regard to students’ preferences and currently available possibilities of gaining professional experience during studies.

Received: December, 2015

1st Revision: January, 2016

Accepted: June, 2016

DOI: 10.14254/2071- 789X.2016/9-2/19

JEL Classification: I21, J24

Keywords: Poland, labour market, tertiary education, professional experience.