From Campus to Career

Leveraging Technology to Improve Work Readiness and Industry Engagement

Abstract

Students undertaking professional degrees are often expected to step into the workplace fully formed, with unrealistic expectations around their experience and capabilities. Universities, facing an increasingly competitive market in a neoliberal context, are focused the student experience, attraction and retention metrics, as students demand return on their investment of money and time. Alongside this, criticism of work readiness and employability comes from graduates and the industries that need them. It is in this space that technology and innovation can offer simple, albeit disruptive ways of increasing the possibility of connecting tertiary students with industry partners to facilitate authentic learning. Early workplace experience, undertaken while still studying, provides both students and employers an opportunity to understand their respective needs within a temporary low risk and low stakes environment. A platform for connecting students with industry for paid employment experiences that sit outside the ubiquitous and often unpaid internships and practicums, offers authentic ways of preparing graduates for the workforce. It also has the potential to improve the way industry connects with the university enabling a richer experience for all; students, universities and industry partners.