Towards a new understanding of the role of higher education: Factors impacting the employability of Portuguese graduates

Trabajo presentado a las XXIII Jornadas de la Asociación de Economía de la Educación (AEDE) que se celebraron en la sede de INGENIO (CSIC-UPV) en Valencia del 2 al 4 de julio del 2014.-- Área 4: Educación y mercado de trabajo. Track 4: Education and labour market.The paper describes a research project which aims to identify and analyse the impact factors on the employability of Portuguese graduates. Following the literature about the graduates' professional transition, a set of career competencies and soft competencies are highlighted. This project represents an attempt to a closer and necessary articulation between higher education practices and labour market requirements.This research project is being carried out within the framework of Sílvia Monteiro’s post doctoral project (QREN – POPH programme – Typology 4.1 – Advanced Training), which is funded by the European Social Fund and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BPD/ 92331 / 2013).Peer Reviewe