Student mobility experience: Fast-track to the first job or nice-to-have?

Cornelia Ayu Purwandari; Yohanes Andika Tjitrajaya; Jonathan Jonathan

doi:10.52813/jei.v15i1.794

Cornelia Ayu Purwandari Department of Development Economics, Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4053-3146
Yohanes Andika Tjitrajaya Department of Development Economics, Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3800-5011
Jonathan Jonathan Department of Development Economics, Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52813/jei.v15i1.794

Keywords: Student Mobility, School-to-work Transition, National Labour Force Survey (Sakernas), Propensity Score Matching

Abstract

community service, and student exchange, on the time it takes Indonesian graduates to secure their first job. Evidence in the Indonesian context has been scarce, especially for community service. By using data from the 2024 National Labour Force Survey (Sakernas) and applying Propensity Score Matching (PSM), this research provides stronger quantitative evidence on the value of these programmes. The findings show that student exchange shortens job-search time by around 40 days, while community service and internship reduce it by about 35–38 days. These results suggest that SM programmes play an important role in easing the school-to-work transition, with the skills they gain serving as credible signals of their productivity and employability. As the first study of its kind in Indonesia, this research offers timely insights for universities and policymakers. Future work should also explore broader outcomes, such as job quality, earnings, and long-term career development, to better understand the lasting impact of SM programmes.

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