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WHY EXPERIENCE WORKS

WHY EXPERIENCE WORKS. GOLDSMITHS COLLEGE CAREERS SERVICE Holiday Inn, Nelson Dock May 11 th 2001. BACKGROUND. National Committee of Inquiry Into Higher Education (Dearing Report) 1977 QAA Codes of Practice http://www.qaa.ac.uk Academic Research:

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WHY EXPERIENCE WORKS

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  1. WHY EXPERIENCE WORKS GOLDSMITHS COLLEGE CAREERS SERVICE Holiday Inn, Nelson Dock May 11th 2001

  2. BACKGROUND • National Committee of Inquiry Into Higher Education (Dearing Report) 1977 • QAA Codes of Practice http://www.qaa.ac.uk • Academic Research: Work Experience:Expanding opportunities for undergraduates - Centre for Research into Quality, University of Central England in Birmingham 1998 Developing Key Skills through Work Placement – Council for Industry and Higher Education 1998 • Financial imperative for students to work

  3. WHAT IS WORK EXPERIENCE? A period of work that is designed to encourage reflection on the experience and to identify the learning that comes from it. • Sandwich placements • Internships • Part-time/temporary work • Vacation work • Project work • Work shadowing • Voluntary work • Insight courses

  4. BENEFITS – FOR STUDENTS • Development of key skills inter alia: communication, problem solving, IT, application of number, team work, business awareness, initiative, time management • Enhanced employability through greater understanding of world of work, improved skills and networking opportunities • Improved job prospects confirmed by research findings • Career tasting opportunity to try out careers/types of employer before applying • Improvements in study greater self-confidence, motivation and opportunity to put theory into practice • Healthier finances

  5. BENEFITS - FOR UNIVERSITY • Provides an opportunity for students to see their subject area in a practical setting • Can lead to increased commitment from students and greater understanding of academic studies • Students develop and mature through acquiring skills and abilities in a workplace setting • Graduates more “work ready” • Increased contact with a wide range of employers can eg inform programmes of study, lead to participation on course validation panels, present talks or seminars • Can lead to research or consultancy opportunities • Responding to government imperatives

  6. BENEFITS – FOR EMPLOYERS • Extra workers at low cost • Opportunity to “try before you buy” • Pool of potential recruits with workplace experience • Setting up of new projects/completion of existing tasks • Injection of new ideas • Develop links with universities and influence programmes of study • Existing staff development possibilities through mentoring/supervising students

  7. CAVEATS • “A lack of resources appears to be the biggest barrier to the expansion of work experience for all stakeholders” – CRQ research. Resources of both money and time. • It is crucial that any expansion in work experience does not compromise the quality of the learning experience…but • Now a wealth of research to demonstrate that learning can take place in a variety of settings – not just in the lecture theatre or seminar room (eg A Review of Work-based Learning in HE, Brennan & Little QSC 1996). • Courses are increasingly being required to satisfy “customer” needs - paramount in this is improved graduate employability.

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