Fear of Unemployment in Textile and Fashion Design Students: The Case of University

Abstract

The textile industry is a key contributor to Turkey’s economy, yet its labor-intensive structure has shifted to underdeveloped regions due to globalization. In such areas, it is often associated with cheap, insecure, and unregulated labor. Among textile graduates, the fear of unemployment-rather than job opportunity-is widespread. Similarly, the fashion industry struggles to adapt to evolving technological professions like AI and 3D design, as education remains rooted in traditional methods. This technological lag heightens anxiety about future employment among students in textile and fashion design programs. Unemployment is a persistent socio-economic issue that countries aim to minimize, not entirely solve. Therefore, identifying factors contributing to unemployment anxiety in this sector is crucial for developing effective social policies. This study examined 291 final-year university students to explore relationships between job expectations, work experience, and levels of state and trait anxiety. Results indicated significant correlations between job hope, experience, and anxiety levels.