This book examines the transition from higher education to the labor market in 10 countries. Although the individual papers do not follow a rigid standard format, they all consider the following issues: (1) how the labor market for graduates is organized; (2) how vocational orientation is achieved in degree courses in individual countries; and (3) how the transition from higher education to employment is organized. Of the 10 countries discussed, 7 are longtime members of the European Union. Poland is included as an example of a country of the former Eastern block that is currently undergoing significant transformation, and Japan and Sri Lanka are included to illustrate the completely different Asian cultures. Despite the far-reaching structural similarities that are evident in the Western European countries examined, it is particular national characteristics rather than common features that dominate the individual country reports. The following papers are included: "Introduction" (Holger Ehlert, Heidi Cordier); "France" (Valerie Canals, Claude Diebolt); "Germany" (Holger Ehlert, Heidi Cordier); "Great Britain" (Heidi Cordier); "Ireland" (Conor Geiselbrechtinger); "Italy" (Lorenzo Fischer); "Japan" (Ulrich Teichler, Kerstin Teicher); "Netherlands" (Roland Richter); "Poland (Heidi Hein); "Sri Lanka" (Charles Fernando); and "Switzerland" (Martin Teichgraber). Most papers include substantial bibliographies or substantial numbers of endnotes. (MN)