What accounts for graduates intentions of being self employed? an evidence of Mbeya University of Science and Technology and Teofilo Kisanji University, Tanzania

It has been recognized that the route for young graduates from tertiary universities to the labor market is far from straightforward. However, little is known on what accounts for graduates intentions of self employment. This study therefore, assessed factors that account for graduates intentions to self employment along their specializations. This study employed quasi-experimental approach and stratified purpose sampling plan to select finalist students from both Mbeya University of Science and Technology and Teofilo Kisanji University. Closed ended questionnaires were used to collect cross sectional data in which 388 students were interviewed. Descriptive statistics and non parametric approaches were methods for data analysis. Survey findings showed that there were an increase of interviewed respondents to become self employed from 29.4% to 39.7% before and after university studies. Also, there were an increase of respondents from 18.3% to 47.7% and 9.3% to 36.9% in business and technician activities accordingly before and after graduation. It is therefore concluded that specialization accounts for 32.7% and 100% to self employment and activities of graduates’ intentions, respectively. Thus, it is recommended that universities should associate specializations with self employment.