An evaluation of Level 1 student perceptions about employability, career planning and careers guidance Chris Ribchester (Geography) Helen Mitchell (Careers Service)

GEES conference (July 2004) Long-term commitment to embed employability, careers and reflective practice into programmes First day of induction (Sept 03): Questionnaire survey of new entrants (n = 75); mix of closed and open-ended questions Semi-structured interviews with ten of these students (Dec 03 – April 04) Findings have implications for employability / careers strategies Introduction

GEES conference (July 2004) Nearly every student at least agreed that improving career opportunities was an important factor in deciding to enter HE Yet very limited awareness of Chesters employability record or WBL And general uncertainty over how HE enhances employability … better job / more opportunities (32%) better job / more opportunities (32%) increased skills/knowledge (21%) increased skills/knowledge (21%) better qualifications (16%) better qualifications (16%) specific example of skills/knowledge (7%) specific example of skills/knowledge (7%) Some implications of this … maximise opportunities for recording achievements / reflective learning? maximise opportunities for recording achievements / reflective learning? heavy emphasis on learning outcomes is appropriate? heavy emphasis on learning outcomes is appropriate? Employability and Higher Education

GEES conference (July 2004) Fifty five per cent intend to look for post-HE career opportunities before completing their studies However, only 19% strongly agreed that this was their intention Furthermore … A quarter indicated career-searching would be delayed until after the end of Level 3 A quarter indicated career-searching would be delayed until after the end of Level 3 Just over a third undecided on when to begin career planning Just over a third undecided on when to begin career planning A sizeable cohort to be won over to the value of planning ahead; early encouragement (Level 1) could have a significant impact? General consensus about the value of talks and activities about careers and employability, from an early stage in studies. Despite the majority having some reservations about previous experiences. Particular preference for inclusion into normal timetabled teaching sessions (c.85% at least agreed with this) Planning ahead

GEES conference (July 2004) Expressed interest in … Entering employment within a short time of completing studies – 61% Entering employment within a short time of completing studies – 61% Take time out to do other things – 34% Take time out to do other things – 34% Postgraduate study – 41% (all but three aspiring to teach) Postgraduate study – 41% (all but three aspiring to teach) Current career interests … Twenty three occupational areas Twenty three occupational areas Teaching / education – 56% Teaching / education – 56% Development work – 16% Development work – 16% Implications of this … Emphasise the diversity of potential opportunities available to our students in the GEES disciplines Current plans

GEES conference (July 2004) Three categories … 1. Clear and specific awareness of goals after completing HE (41%) 2. Uncertain of specific plans, but have general ideas (39%) 3. No ideas or plans at all (20%) Influencing factors? Variation between Single Honours Geography students and other two programmes (chi-square, significant at 0.05) Typology of Level 1 students

GEES conference (July 2004) To what extent are these findings distinctive to Chester? How does this compare to similar surveys that have been completed elsewhere? To what extent are these findings distinctive to Chester? How does this compare to similar surveys that have been completed elsewhere? What value is there in tracking students through each level of their studies and beyond? What value is there in tracking students through each level of their studies and beyond? - what critical experiences affect student opinions? - to what degree do initial impressions change and when does this happen? - relationship between initial impressions and first / subsequent destinations? - how does the 2:2:1 balance change over time? Two final thoughts