equality in higher education summit
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WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? Career services can help support low-SES students as they develop their employability and transition to the labour market. However, these students are often reluctant to seek advice from career services, preferring to obtain such information from university teaching staff. Introducing career education across all courses both familiarises and normalises the career planning process. Such integrated approaches are more likely to succeed, as low-SES students are less likely to seek out advice or attend extra activities.
Optional employment experiences, such as paid internships and voluntary work placements – or broader experiences such as outbound mobility and career preparation activities – need to be accessible and targeted at students who could benefit most. For example, low-SES students may not be aware of scholarships and other forms of financial support available for short-term outbound mobility programs or know how these experiences can improve their employability.
Providing access to work experience is critical. Research undertaken by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education found that undertaking paid work in the final year of study is the single most important factor in predicting whether a graduate will be working at the time of the Australian Graduate Survey. The National WIL Strategy has proposed schemes to increase the numbers of low-SES students participating in work-integrated learning. Low levels of social capital may limit low-SES students’ capacity to gain access and exposure to employers. Careers and academic staff need to consider ways to create opportunities for these students to meet employers and develop important networking skills. Mentoring programs that bring employers on campus to engage with students are one example.
Finally, students from low-SES backgrounds often do not see the value in developing key skills until it’ s too late. Proactively communicating the importance of building employability, from enrolment through to graduation, and providing a structured and guided approach is critical for all students, but particularly those from low-SES backgrounds.
In the last decade, progress has been made towards more equitable access to higher education in Australia. There is now an urgent need to build on this success to ensure all graduates are equipped for an increasingly challenging work landscape. ■
Dr Cate Gribble is an expert on graduate employability at Nexus Research and Consultancy. Judie Kay is associate director, careers and employability, at RMIT, and president of Australian Collaborative Education Network( ACEN).
equality in higher education summit
Despite the rising prominence of women in higher education, issues such as equal professional opportunity, pay equity and under-representation in senior leadership remain challenges.
Hear from a diverse selection of professional leaders, outspoken advocates and experts as they discuss how everyone can play a role in making gender equity the new norm.
Expect to gain insights into:
• Gender-based pay disparity and professional opportunity
• Case studies examining current initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap
• Cultural under-representation and inequity of opportunity
• Key barriers to achieving workforce diversity and equity
From national and local policy to institutional philosophy and leadership, only a combination of individual and collective action can change the overall picture of higher education to reflect the society it strives to enrich.
Higher Equity is aimed at management, leaders and professional staff from universities, TAFE institutes, private providers, professional associations, regulatory bodies and government.
Join us and be a part of the conversation.
Please call 02 9936 8777 to find out more.
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