The Readiness of Media Students at Libyan Universities to Integrate into the Media Labor Market "A Survey Study

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which students enrolled in media colleges and departments at Libyan universities possess the requisite skills and knowledge to successfully integrate into the media labor market, as well as their perceptions of its current realities. Adopting a descriptive survey design, the research targeted a purposive sample of 693 students from six universities: Tripoli, Sirte, Benghazi, Misurata, Tobruk, and Sebha. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and the study was framed within the theoretical lens of Human Capital Theory.

The findings reveal that 52.3% of respondents were unconvinced that the media profession holds a promising future in Libya, while 60.1% disagreed that the local media labor market offers encouraging prospects—reflecting a prevailing sense of pessimism regarding employment opportunities. Furthermore, 81.1% reported having received no practical training in media institutions, and more than half rated the quality of practical training during their academic studies as weak. Additionally, 59.5% indicated their inability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world professional contexts.

The study recommends incorporating specialized training programs and courses in digital media competencies and artificial intelligence applications into academic curricula, with the aim of enhancing graduates’ readiness to meet future labor market demands.