INFLUENCE OF EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT ON GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY

Abstract

This study examined the influence of extracurricular involvement on graduate employability in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. Three research questions were raised to guide this study. The descriptive survey research design of the ex-post facto type was used and the multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. The sample size comprised 385 Master’s degree students of the University of Ibadan who were previously or currently employed and 50 employers in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. Two sets of questionnaires were used for this study. Frequency counts, simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and ttest were used to analyze the data in this study. The findings revealed that graduates involve themselves in volunteering activities, sports, student unionism, religious activities, drama, music, catering, tailoring, cream production, comedy show and barbering. It was found that graduates frequently participated in religious activities while on campus more than any other extracurricular activities. The findings of the study also showed that employers perceived extracurricular involvement as a factor influencing graduate employability to a moderate extent. There was no significant difference between the perception of public and private organization employers on the extent to which extracurricular involvement influences graduate employability. Based on these findings, the study recommended that higher institutions should maintain extracurricular activities in their budget. Management of higher institutions need to communicate and promote the value of extracurricular activities.