Speakers for Schools’ Post

Results from a survey of nearly 7,000 faculty were released today by AAC&U, NACE, and the Society for Experiential Education. Results highlight the faculty's pivotal role in students’ career exploration, readiness, and search support. More than 90% of faculty say they engage in career conversations with students and are comfortable doing so within their disciplines. However, institutions can support faculty to go deeper in their efforts to connect learning outcomes with career skills. Researchers recommend increasing collaboration among faculty, advisors, and career center directors to foster more robust integration of high-impact practices focused on career readiness into curricula. Read the full report: https://ow.ly/fmPn50RjmEg

Arizona State University stands out as a top-ranked university for graduate employability. The newest Global Employability University Ranking and Survey (GEURS) ranked ASU second among public U.S. universities for employable graduates—outpacing UCLA, the University of Michigan, and Purdue. With innovative education and strong career services, ASU ensures its graduates are ready to excel across industries worldwide. Read more about ASU’s commitment to career readiness: https://lnkd.in/gUw-92Dy

Higher-ed faculty play a pivotal and unique role in student learning and development and are instrumental in students’ career readiness and professional development, according to a new report. https://hubs.li/Q02xys1z0

Understanding University Rankings: Choosing the Right Institution for Your Goals Navigating the world of higher education can seem daunting, especially when faced with the multitude of global university rankings available today. Understanding these rankings is crucial for prospective students, educators, and career counselors who wish to choose the right university that aligns with academic aspirations and career goals. Each ranking system evaluates institutions based on various criteria, which can significantly influence your decision-making process. In this piece, we will dissect how to interpret these rankings effectively and how to use them as a tool to aid in your university selection criteria. By the end, you will be well-equipped to make informed decisions that pave the way for a successful educational journey abroad. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dpQDQ_ir

Another great read in Inside Higher Ed today: "Ultimately, the move toward skills-based hiring, National Association of Colleges and Employers' Shawn VanDerziel emphasized, is not about removing the college degree, but implementing strategic meaning-making into experiential learning." How is your institution preparing for skills-based hiring? Employers are prioritizing skills over degrees, pushing higher ed to align curricula with job market demands. This shift means tighter collaboration with employers and a focus on measurable skills. Competency-based education has its challenges, but it produces workforce-ready graduates. Embracing this approach can keep institutions relevant, drive student success, and increase enrollment. via https://lnkd.in/eucUFDpz

On the course Strategic Approaches to Careers & Employability in Higher Education, we presented students with data which showed a correlation between taking an optional employability module and positive graduate outcomes. Every single student made the causal assumption that taking the module increased one's chances of a positive outcome. Not one of them pointed out that this could indicate that students who were already likely to be successful because of their backgrounds might also be more inclined to opt into the module. Correlation ≠ causation Have you ever made that assumption in looking at your evaluation data? https://lnkd.in/eVxUrhqJ

What do students really think about T Levels? In January 2023, the Edge Foundation in collaboration with Professor Kevin Orr commenced a qualitative research project, taking a deep dive into the experiences and viewpoints of learners across various T Level courses. We explored their day-to-day college experiences with their course, work placements, aspirations, and their perspectives on achieving career goals post-T Level completion. https://lnkd.in/eDCRi-k8

An interesting read in The Wall Street Journal focusing on the rising popularity of higher education programs that more closely integrate real-world job experience and employable skills into students’ curricula.    As questions continue to be raised about the value of a higher ed degree, it is increasingly vital that post-secondary programs more closely align education with employment.    Our Employability Report research shows that progress is being made, with 57% of recent grads believing their program equipped them with the skills needed for their first professional job, a considerable rise from 41% last year, but there is still work to be done to ensure learners are gaining the skills and competencies they need to enter and grow in the job market. https://lnkd.in/eVKkzJWZ   #highered #employability #workforce

The World of Higher Education and Upskilling If you’re not following Michael Hansen, CEO at Cengage Group you should take a moment to do so. Michael brings a lot of insight to higher education, notably in the area of real world skills and employability. As this article in the The Wall Street Journal outlines, there is a substantial increase in the number of people who believe their program provided them with the skills they needed for their first professional job, now tracking at 57%, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure students are adequately prepared for the world of work.

🌟 Skills vs. Degrees: A New Era of Learning 🌟 Recently, I shared a tweet encouraging our youth to prioritize skills over degrees and explore short courses before committing to traditional universities or colleges. The response was fascinating, sparking a lively debate about the value of degrees versus skills in today’s job market. While degrees have long been seen as the gold standard for education, the rapidly evolving landscape of industries and technology has led many to question whether a degree is truly the best path to success. 🎓💼