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Christel House International College & Careers Root Cause Analysis: Self-Sufficient vs Insufficient Employment for Graduates
Christel House graduates decisively outperform their peers in terms of educational attainment, employment, and earnings. Our impact page speaks to these outcomes. Approximately 3 in 4 graduates secure high-quality employment within 5-years of graduating from Christel House schools. Most of these graduates also attain a post-secondary credential along the way – whether that’s a trade-certification, a university degree, or something in between.
But what about those remaining graduates who aren’t achieving their goals? This led Christel House to explore how we can further close the gap between graduation and long-term success for all students.
Why do some graduates thrive in the workforce while others struggle to find high-quality employment?
To find out, Christel House conducted an in-depth Root Cause Analysis. In 2020, CHI worked with global College & Careers (C&C) staff to research the root causes of graduate success or underperformance. The study aimed to uncover the reasons behind long-term insufficient employment among graduates and offer insights into how the organization can further bridge the gap between graduation and upward mobility.
Methodology
Figure 1: Distribution of C&C Total Population by Gender, Post-Secondary Study Completion, and Self-Sufficiency
The College & Careers (C&C) team began by pulling data on 1,286 graduates from the Christel House database, focusing on two key groups:
Long-term low-quality employment: Graduates who were unemployed or in jobs with low earnings for more than a year after graduation.
High-quality employment: Graduates who had achieved financial self-sufficiency.
The analysis sought to identify root causes for employment insufficiency and pathways to self-sufficiency.
Key Findings: Root Causes of Insufficient Employment
Through a rigorous process of asking “Why?” at each layer, the team identified several root causes that explain why some graduates struggle to achieve self-sufficiency.
Top Causes:
University and Workforce Preparedness (17%): Many graduates face challenges adapting to job demands or university-level coursework.
Mental Health Issues (14%): Mental health struggles, such as anxiety and depression, often worsen when support systems become unavailable post-graduation.
Lack of Motivation (13%): Some graduates may lack the drive to pursue better opportunities, staying in low-earning jobs.
Unplanned Pregnancy (11%): Particularly affecting female graduates, unplanned pregnancies often lead to career disruptions.
Family Traditions (10%): Family expectations can limit career options, especially when graduates feel pressure to conform to traditional roles.
Additional Factors:
Issues like Low Academic Scores, Gangs and Drugs, Family Influence, and Low Confidence affect fewer graduates but still pose challenges.
Contributing Factors and Margin of Error:
With a 4-7% margin of error at a 95% confidence level, the exact ranking of causes may differ in a larger population. In addition, we found that many causes of long-term insufficient employment could not be easily attributed to just one root cause. When we considered both leading and contributing factors to low-quality employment, we saw that Family Influence and Low Academic Scores became more prominent factors in the analysis.
Figure 3: Root Causes of Long-Term Insufficient Employment
Figure 4: Root Causes and Contributing Factors of Long-Term Insufficient Employment
Gender and Regional Disparities
The root causes were not evenly distributed across gender or geography:
Women were more likely to face barriers related to low confidence, unplanned pregnancy, and inadequate university or workforce preparedness.
Men were more likely to struggle with family influence, gang involvement, and low academic scores.
In South Africa, we saw the largest gender disparities. Gang involvement was a significant barrier for male graduates, while unplanned pregnancy was the leading cause of employment insufficiency among female graduates.
In India, many graduates faced pressure from family traditions that hindered their career advancement, such as being pushed into family businesses rather than pursuing post-secondary education.
Pathways to Success: How Some Graduates Achieve Self-Sufficiency
The analysis didn’t just focus on the challenges Christel House graduates face. It also uncovered key pathways to self-sufficiency that can be strengthened and replicated:
Great Starting Salary (21%): Some graduates found jobs with high starting salaries, even if those jobs weren’t part of their career plans.
Passion for Their Field (17%): Graduates who were passionate about their work were more likely to overcome obstacles and achieve self-sufficiency.
Networking Opportunities (16%): Connections—whether through Christel House, family, or friends—helped many graduates land better jobs.
Upskilling and Development (15%): Graduates who pursued additional skills or certifications after graduation were able to advance their careers and increase their earnings.
Christel House Pathways (14%): The formal partnerships and recruitment programs that Christel House has established with certain employers provided reliable routes to self-sufficient employment.
Christel House’s Actions to Close the Gap in Graduate Employment
The findings from this analysis provided actionable insights into how Christel House paved the way for impactful changes to further support our graduates. Here are the key areas of focus and the steps we’ve taken to address them:
Enhancing Family Support
Recognizing the vital role family stability plays in our graduates’ long-term success, Christel House has implemented new programs to engage and support families. Our initiatives now include workshops, family counseling sessions, and resources to build stronger home environments. These programs continue to offer guidance both during and after students’ time at Christel House, ensuring graduates have a lasting support network.
Expanding Mental Health Support
To address the mental health challenges faced by some graduates, Christel House has formed partnerships with mental health organizations to provide ongoing support post-graduation. Graduates now have access to teletherapy services and wellness programs, helping them transition smoothly into adulthood and the workforce while maintaining their mental well-being.
Strengthening Soft Skills Training
In response to the need for stronger soft skills, Christel House has expanded its curriculum to include targeted training in communication, networking, and other essential life skills. We’ve introduced workshops, mentorship programs, and real-world practice opportunities. This additional training prepares students for the demands of college and the workforce, setting them up for future success.
Supporting Non-College-Bound Graduates
We have increased our focus on pathways for students who may not pursue traditional post-secondary education. Christel House has developed vocational training programs and partnered with local organizations to offer upskilling and certification courses. These new opportunities allow graduates to pursue fulfilling careers through non-traditional routes, tailored to their individual strengths and goals.
Refining Career Coaching
To align students’ aspirations with realistic career pathways, Christel House has revamped its career coaching approach. We’ve integrated practical career exploration into our program and added workshops on setting achievable goals and building adaptable career plans. This balanced approach provides graduates with the tools to make informed decisions and chart a path to long-term self-sufficiency.
Looking Forward: Building on Success
While this root cause analysis revealed significant barriers to high-quality employment, it also highlighted several success stories. Graduates who pursued fields they were passionate about, leveraged their networks, or participated in Christel House Pathway programs were far more likely to achieve long-term career success.
Conclusion: A Commitment to Lifelong Success
Christel House International’s mission goes beyond just educating students-it’s about empowering them to build successful, fulfilling lives.
This root cause analysis is a crucial step in understanding the barriers graduates face and finding ways to overcome them. With ongoing improvements to its programs, Christel House will continue to transform the lives of students around the world, one graduate at a time.
Carolyn Haythorn is the Director of Data, Research, and Reporting at Christel House International, where she has driven strategic insights and accountability for over seven years. Based in Indianapolis, she leads data analysis, reporting, and planning to advance Christel House’s mission of transforming lives through education.
Carolyn Haythorn Director of Data, Research, and Reporting
