Translation Graduates and the Labor Market: A Qualitative Study of Employability Challenges and Professional Readiness at Misurata University

Abstract

This study investigates the employment challenges faced by graduates of the Faculty of Languages and Translation at Misurata University and explores the gap between academic preparation and labor-market requirements in the field of translation. The study aims to identify the main barriers that hinder graduates’ employability, examine the factors contributing to these challenges, and explore possible strategies for improving graduates’ professional readiness. A qualitative phenomenological design was adopted to understand graduates’ lived experiences after entering the labor market. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 translation graduates selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The interview data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach. The findings revealed several interconnected challenges, including limited job opportunities, insufficient practical training, weak technological competence, and employers’ demand for prior experience. Participants also highlighted a mismatch between university curricula and labor-market expectations, particularly regarding practical translation skills, CAT tools, and workplace preparation. In addition, the study found that many graduates shifted toward English-language teaching due to the scarcity of specialized translation jobs. Participants recommended increasing practice-based learning, integrating translation technologies into the curriculum, strengthening internship opportunities, and improving collaboration between universities and employers. The study concludes that enhancing translation graduates’ employability requires a stronger alignment between translator training programs and the realities of the contemporary translation market.