Nottingham Law School and Context

1. Study Abroad and Graduate Employability:A case study at Nottingham Law SchoolProfessor Andrea Nollent, DeanTracey Watson, Client Relations Manager

2. Nottingham Law School and Context • 2008 CIHE study Global Horizons and the Role of Employers • Need to increase the global awareness of graduates • Developing employability in a global market place • Trend towards students not leaving home and studying at local universities? • Even greater incentive for universities to provide study abroad opportunities

3. How to incentivise students to study abroad? • Clear link to employability – key focus for all universities • New degree structure with study abroad opportunities built in from 2012 • BUT – does study abroad enhance employability or is it a myth developed by enthusiasts? • Need to develop robust data if we wish to have credibility in promoting student mobility

4. Nottingham Law School, Study Abroad Survey • Sent to a wide range or solicitors • High Street • Regional • National • Multinational • In house counsel • Barristers’ Chambers • Response rate • Answered by • Training Partners • HR Managers • Graduate Recruitment Managers • Practice Managers • Director of Legal Services

5. Q – Do you know what a study abroad or Erasmus scheme is? “A period of overseas study (rather than a gap year) to develop themes taught in the “home” degree course but with an international slant.” “Studying 1 extra year of your degree abroad. Living and studying in a foreign university.” “A student will complete a year of their study overseas.” “Study exchange between Universities aboard so students could spend a year studying in England and gain credit.”

6. Q – Is study aboard or Erasmus scheme experience a factor you would look for when considering a candidate for a job?Yes 6No 11

7. Q – Does an applicant for a job have an advantage if they have taken part in a study abroad or Erasmus scheme over applicants who haven’t? • 1 - Yes, they would be more likely to be employ • 10 - No difference

8. Q – What is it about study aboard or an Erasmus experience that you find appealing? “confidence in candidates, broader experience, not afraid of new challenges, welcome going outside of their comfort zone” “Suggests independence, ability to manage a new environment, broaden horizons generally” “students are often more confident with a mature outlook. Plus they may have the added skill of fluency in another language” “…having to adapt to the different culture they experience and learn to be independent”

9. Q – Would the country the exchange took place in be a deciding factor when assessing applicants? • Yes – 2 • No - 5

10. Q - Please indicate how much value you place in Study Abroad or Erasmus scheme experience in the following locations. Scale 1 to 5, where 1 = very low value and 5 = very high value

11. Q – Please indicate how much you value each of the following qualities in potential job candidates. Scale of 1 to 5

12. Q – Please indicate how much you value each of the following qualities in potential job candidates. Scale of 1 to 5

13. Q – How do you think a person with Study Abroad or Erasmus exchange experience might differ (if at all) to someone without this experience? (1)

14. Q – How do you think a person with Study Abroad or Erasmus exchange experience might differ (if at all) to someone without this experience? (2)

15. Q – Why wouldn’t you look for Study Abroad or Erasmus experience when considering a candidate? “Why would we? No specific relevance to out type of work – an interesting addition and to be applauded but not a criteria for recruitment” “because we are a regional firm rather than international, it is not as important to have international experience. We would look at any experience related to the legal industry that we are in and face.”

16. Results • Response rate not as good as hoped for • Yes they understand study abroad, but…. • Will it help candidates get an interview? • Recognition of “added value” of the experience “confidence in candidates, broader experience, not afraid of new challenges, welcome going outside of their comfort zones” • Recognition of improved skills • Interpersonal • Intercultural • Confidence • Foreign language proficiency

17. Advice to students Experience of a lifetime It might not help them at application, but…… it will help them at interview “What this kind of experience does give a candidate is great experiences to draw upon at the interview stage”

18. Employers • Promote study abroad at career events • Maximise exposure at every opportunity • Added value “….independence, ability to manage a new environment, broaden horizons generally” “students are often more confident with a mature outlook. Plus they may have the added skill of fluency in another language”

19. Conclusions • Information for employers clearly explaining the benefit of student mobility • Use of case studies as illustration • Sponsorship from employers to develop engagement • Developing a graduate profile in which mobility becomes the norm rather than the exception