Prospects.ac.uk’s Post

Great article summarising recent research on the widening gap between student and professional life and the impact on students becoming ‘work ready’. Some interesting factors impacting this transition, including unrealistic expectations of the world of work and the affect of hybrid working on learning on the job.

Students are less 'work ready' in their attitudes and behaviours than ever before: why this is, and how can universities and employers help facilitate and speed up this readiness are explored in this article I had the pleasure of co-authoring with Rebecca Fielding of Gradconsult. Do let us know if you would like to chat about the psychological techniques behind assessing, and enhancing, the work readiness of your early career students. https://lnkd.in/e6FnkGhV

Struggling to balance personal growth and career outcomes for students? Learn the cutting-edge strategies that leading institutions are using in 2024 with our blog today. https://hubs.ly/Q02zf0f30

The world of work is changing. Higher Ed is changing. Let this sink in. Traditionally, a person could expect to work in the same field, using essentially the same skills, for 40 years. Today, however, the landscape looks strikingly different. “The employee of the future typically will have a new job every five years, probably for 60 to 80 years, and probably every one of those will require skills you did not learn in college,” said Huntington D. Lambert, the former dean of the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, in a New York Times article. https://lnkd.in/gmQmpwuG #upskill #reskill #lifelonglearning

Strada describes their State of the Opportunity study as a collective call to action to change the post-secondary education system so that it enables all students to find meaningful work and economic security. Students, especially first-generation graduates and underserved students, aren't struggling to succeed after college because of a lack of will or commitment. They are struggling because the system doesn't work. Alumni Playbook recognizes there is a substantial population of recent alumni who are underemployed because of these challenges. And at the same time, employers are struggling to find talent. We are driving the connections that will change that. Contact us to learn more. #careers #networking #socialcapital #recruiters #careerdevelopment #careergrowth #alumni #alumniengagement

Think you know all about young graduates' expectations? Think again! 🤯 According to our survey with UC Leuven-Limburg, companies seriously underestimate the importance of the workplace atmosphere. For final-year students, this is 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 in the process of choosing an employer. ⚡ Eager to learn more about the results of our survey? Download the full white paper ➡ https://lnkd.in/ed-E4iK2 #uniquecareer #linkingtalentwithambition #younggraduates #survey #youngprofessional #projectsourcing

"What's the best way to learn more about the #workforcedevelopment space?" That's a question I often get when talking to talent, employers, and funders. In the US, other than the must-do default of signing up for Paul Fain's The Job newsletter, I often point to a few anchor thought leadership assets that can give you a macro view of what's going on. --------------- Today, I want to highlight one that came out in 2024: State #Opportunity Index by Strada Education Foundation: https://lnkd.in/gdXk2e7A I find it unique and valuable because a) it focuses at the state level (that's where the analysis of this problem in the US is most meaningful), b) it is nuanced (it goes beyond the platitudes of we need to give more people #skills), c) it defines a bar to rise up to (it avoids the trap of giving everyone a participation award), and d) it provides a blueprint for progress (here is what your state can focus on doing better) --------------- A few highlights: 5️⃣ It assesses each on 5 priority areas: Clear Outcomes, Quality Coaching, Affordability, Work-based Learning, and Employer Alignment 💲 It zooms into one key metric: % of graduates with a positive ROI - with an important and demanding question of: how likely are you to make more money after paying for your degree within 10 years? #️⃣ Only a few states have enhanced their wage records to produce insights on the occupational outcomes of post-high school education programs --> we are basically running blind on the data that matters most 👂 ~20-25% of graduates experienced #career #guidance and #coaching --> "No one should have to map a career path and navigate challenges alone" 🏢 0(!), that's right, 0/50 states met the criteria for Leading when it came to #Employer Alignment ---------------------- 3️⃣ Areas that I hope future iterations of the Index dive deeper into: 1) Inclusion of pathways beyond formal higher education in the analysis (the system is in desperate need of data here) 2) Open sourcing the data underlying the index (just as it encourages states to do with their own data as it would spur significant innovation) 3) Exploration of how #technology and #AI could meaningfully help accelerate states' trajectories across all 5 areas The quality of the output is reflective of advisors involved: Rob Anderson Earl Buford Ryan Craig Emily M. Dickens Kysha Wright Frazier Cheryl Oldham Tom Brock Michael Collins Wil Del Pilar Ted Mitchell Scott Waller Eric Bettinger Pascale Charlot Heather McKay Matt Sigelman V. Scott H. Solberg Mamie Voight Isabel Cardenas-Navia Matthew Hora Timothy M. Renick David Troutman Christina Whitfield Kudos to the Strada team on both vision and execution: Jonathan Furr Stephen Moret Ruth Watkins Michele Chang Beth Cobert Heather McKay #futureofwork #workforcedevelopment #skills #data #AI

Just wrapped up an incredible project, addressing a Big 10 university's critical needs head-on... Here was their situation: 🔴 They were struggling to recruit and enroll talented students 🔴 Their external communications about #careerservices did not match reality, and the value proposition was rather weak 🔴 There was no campus strategy and no coordination 🔴 Students had inequitable access to career services 🔴 Services for students from FGLI and underrepresented backgrounds were lacking 🔴 The #careercenter was understaffed to meet the diverse needs of schools and colleges 🔴 Students were unaware of why career services could be beneficial to them 🔴 Inefficiencies and duplication of effort abounded 🔴 The accountability standards set by the board were not followed because the center didn't have the resources to measure for them. Fast-forward three months, and they had robust report, containing the following: ⭐ a national context for #careerservicestransformation ⭐ an overview of what effective career services looks like ⭐ an analysis of the campus' strengths and weaknesses ⭐ obstacles to transformation ⭐ peer comparisons of debt and earnings ⭐ tailored recommendations that not only transform and elevate career services, but that address one of the other strategic priorities of campus: student flourishing ⭐ an implementation plan ⭐ a case for change When I was a career services leader, I would have died and gone to heaven with this depth of information! 👼 I'm incredibly proud of the work we've accomplished together, and I'm CANNOT WAIT to see the lasting impact it will have on students' lives and the broader community. 💪 Ready to turn your challenges into triumphs? 🚀 DM me! #academicaffairs #studentaffairs #highered

"As recent grads enter the workplace, their path to success is less clear to them, and they may be scared to make mistakes." The need for micromanagement places a significant burden on employers and supervisors. We must improve our efforts to teach students #higherorderskills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, so that new hires feel confident and capable of fulfilling their job responsibilities effectively. #careerready #careerskills #criticalthinking #problemsolving eCampus News

What micro-credentials are you adding to your degrees? Is your school or workplace offering micro-credentials? These shorter, focused programs are becoming more relevant to the future of higher ed.