Values

1. Independence - being able to plan your own work and make

decisions by yourself
2. Creativity - coming up with new and original ideas
3. Helping others - advising or caring for others, often in a face-to-
face setting
4. Benefits - what you get from a job in terms of salary or other
rewards
5. Variety - regular changes in what you are doing, who you are
working with, or where you are working
6. Progression - being able to move ahead in your career (e.g.
through promotion)
7. Prestige - having a job which other people see as important

What is university for?

The question of what university, and higher education in general,
are for is a complex one with many possible answers.

In their essence, universities are centres of higher learning, teaching

and research. They are usually characterised by being centres of
innovation, where researchers push the boundaries of their respective
fields.

Being a student at a university, or other higher education institution,

can bring a range of benefits, including:

an increase in academic knowledge

personal development, particularly in terms of critical thinking
 an increase in the ability to think creatively and innovatively
increased social and cultural knowledge
relevant technical and practical knowledge
preparation for a future career

What do you think university is for? Why are you thinking about going
to university, and what benefits do you hope it will bring you?
What is employability and why is it important?

Employability is a word that can be used in different contexts and

with different meanings. In this course, we are discussing
employability as it relates to higher education, so we will use the
following definition. Employability is:

a set of achievements skills, understandings and personal attributes

that makes graduates more likely to gain employment and be
successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves,
the workforce, the community and the economy.

Yorke, M. (2004), Employability in higher education: what it is - what it

is not, The Higher Education Academy/ESECT

Employability, therefore, is not just about getting a job, it is about a

broader set of skills and attributes that will enable a graduate to be
successful throughout their working life.

So, why does this matter to you, as a current or future student in

higher education?
Remaining competitive

Studying at university can give you an advantage in your future career.

For a start, youll be able to apply to jobs which specify that you must
be a graduate, and the subject you studied or the grade you achieved
may be relevant to some employers. However, even if you have a first-
class degree and a relevant subject for the career you want, you will
most likely be competing against others who have the same or similar
academic qualifications. Therefore, its your employability, the unique
mix of skills, abilities and personal qualities that you have, that will
make you stand out from the crowd.

Achieving your goals

The world of work changes very rapidly. Your career is likely to involve
many different job roles and employers, and even if you stay in the
same job it is likely to change its nature over time. Therefore,
employability skills are useful as they are transferable; you can adapt
them to whichever situation you find yourself in.

Enhancing your education

Learning through a variety of different methods (eg through your

academic studies, through work experience and through volunteering)
gives you a well-rounded education.

Engaging in the student experience

If you make an effort to participate in the whole student experience,

you will get more from your time at university. This includes engaging
in your academic studies, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities,
volunteering and work experience.
Employability is not something that can be easily ignored. Thinking
about your employability from an early stage is likely to increase the
chance that you will be successful in your chosen career.

Case study

The following case study is an example of the importance of

employability. Read the case study, and join the discussion by
answering the questions below.

Zack had just graduated from university with a first-class degree in

Business Studies. He applied for a job as a Business Analyst with a
large consulting firm. He had the academic qualifications needed, in
terms of degree subject and class. He was pleased but not that
surprised when he was invited for an interview.

Zack was really upset to find out that he was not successful in the
interview. He contacted the firms HR department to ask for feedback.
They told him that they had been really impressed by his knowledge of
management theory. However, they commented that he had not been
able to provide clear evidence of his ability to work in a team, or an
example of a time when he had shown leadership skills. They also
mentioned that he did not seem that enthusiastic about the job.

Zack was shocked by this, and talked it through with a careers adviser
at his universitys careers service. Through this discussion, he came to
realise that the employer was interested in more than just his
academic qualifications. He also understood why he may have
seemed less than enthusiastic; he had been so focussed on
answering the questions correctly that he hadnt allowed his
personality to show through.
What assumptions do you think Zack made about the recruitment
process for the job?

What advice would you give Zack for his next job interview?