Impact of COVID-19 on Employment Awareness of Local University Students

Abstract

 In 2020, the spread of COVID-19 largely changed people's daily lives. People were asked to refrain from moving across prefectural borders and to avoid the Three Cs. This had a great impact on the job-hunting activities of university students. Job hunting for university students commences March 1st every year. During this period, large-scale joint company information sessions are held in various locations, however most of these were canceled in 2020.

 What kind of influence did COVID-19 have on the students who needed decide their future career and where to work in such a world? In particular, how did the restricted movement and diminished relationships with people affect students' employment consciousness? In this study, we clarify through surveys how students belonging to local universities were affected by COVID-19 during the important process of early stages of job hunting, and how their employment consciousness was affected. As a result, an increased emphasis on company size and human relations was confirmed.