INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH CULTURE SOCIETY

Abstract: College education is seen as a major tool for social transformation, especially for first-generation learners, enabling them to access equal opportunities on par with other non-first-generation learners in society. The research examined whether college education effectively led to meaningful employment and improved social position for individuals across different social backgrounds. The research focused on first-generation graduates in their early stages of career within the age group of 20 -30 years. The districts of Chennai and Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu were selected to equally represent the southern and northern regions of the state. A qualitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 30 first-generation graduates through semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis along with univariate frequency tables. The findings indicated that although higher education enabled access to the formal workforce, it did not consistently ensure alignment between educational qualifications and employment outcomes. A majority of respondents reported that their degree functioned primarily as an eligibility requirement rather than a direct pathway to suitable employment. Factors such as limited academic guidance, financial constraints, language barriers, and gender-based challenges significantly influenced employment opportunities and career progression. The study concluded that college education contributed to partial social mobility. However, its impact remained constrained by structural and institutional inequalities that limited the transition from education to employment.