UB School of Economics researcher Antonio Di Paolo awarded funding by La Caixa for socially-oriented research projects

The Social Observatory of La Caixa has awarded funding for 12 socially-oriented research projects that will shed light on vocational training, early school leaving and job insecurity. The UB School of Economics and AQR researcher Antonio Di Paolo leads of one of these projects, entitled “Does working while studying matter for graduates’ employability? The role of job-field match”.

The project aims to investigate whether working while studying at university affects the employability of Spanish graduates, distinguishing whether the pre-graduation job is related to content of their university degree. Additionally, the study will analyse the quality of occupation, by analysing salary, stability, match with the training and satisfaction with the job on top of the probability of being employed four years after graduation.

The La Caixa Social Research call supports excellent social research projects that rely on data to provide robust quantitative evidence and insights about current and emerging social challenges in Spain through an original and innovative approach. 1.3 million euros have been awarded this year, with up to 100,000 euros per project of up to 24 months duration.

The call was aimed at supporting proposals led by individual researchers of any nationality who conduct their research activity at a public or private university or research centre legally based in Spain and can demonstrate research independence and evidence of prior achievements.

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