The graduate employability cycle of learning: Preparation, practice, and presentation

Mary Grant; Clare Hanlon; Janet A. Young

doi:10.21153/jtlge2024vol15no1art1944

Authors

Mary Grant Institute of Health and Victoria University, Victoria, Australia, and School of Allied Health, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3882-6110
Clare Hanlon Institute of Health and Sport, Victoria University, Victoria, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5547-5327
Janet A. Young Institute of Health and Sport, Victoria University, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0040-0691

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21153/jtlge2024vol15no1art1944

Keywords:

graduate employability, practical experience, higher education, industry, signalling

Abstract

Change in the workplace is inevitable, intensified by the rapid development of global markets and demand for highly skilled and adaptable employees. One response to this demand is for higher degree students to immerse in workplace experiences aligned to their course discipline to build their employability. In consideration of higher education and industry practices in Australia, our paper examined the phases of student learning and development before, during and after workplace experiences that contribute to graduate employability and signalling capability. Three progressive methodological approaches were adopted: a job advertisement audit, semi-structured interviews, and an online employability survey. Deductive and inductive coding was applied to organise themes from interview transcripts and survey data, using non-parametric statistics to analyse data. Findings revealed a three-phased Graduate Employability Cycle of Learning. The Pre-Condition Phase 1 encourages student exploration of the industry discipline and self against defined awareness factors to prepare for practical experiences. Phase 2 comprises the Experiential Learning Cycle (Kolb, 1984) to validate the process of learning through practical experience. The Observed Signals Phase 3 identifies the experiential learning gained from practical experience and subsequent conversion into transferable graduate employability signals. Combined, the three-phased cycle guides theoretical knowledge and practical application of the employability signals, to assist job recruitment and selection, where employers can observe and recognise employable graduates who demonstrate their point of difference in the job market.

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Author Biographies

Mary Grant, Institute of Health and Victoria University, Victoria, Australia, and School of Allied Health, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia

Dr Mary Grant is a senior lecturer in career development and professional practice in sport and practicum coordinator at La Trobe University with 30 years of teaching and industry experience. Mary has five national and university-based teaching and learning awards and an Excellence in Research Award (2022) for her graduate employability research. Mary’s research focuses on the significance of practical experiences to signalling the employability of graduates to prospective employers, during job recruitment and selection.
Clare Hanlon, Institute of Health and Sport, Victoria University, Victoria, Australia

Professor Clare Hanlon is a pre-eminent scholar with 20+ years of research focused on building capacity in particular to encourage girls and women in sport and physical activity. Clare has been awarded over AUD $3.5m in research grants and led international through to community-based projects. Clare has co-investigated research and co-authored publications on the knowledge, skill and practical experience required of outdoor education leaders; and service-learning to provide benefits to the university and sport sectors.
Janet A. Young, Institute of Health and Sport, Victoria University, Australia

Adjunct Associate Professor Janet Young is an accredited sport and exercise psychologist. Her research interests include sport, exercise and coaching. Janet is a Director of the Evonne Goolagong Foundation and is an Ambassador for Blind Sports Victoria (tennis program). Janet has received the Tennis Australia and International Tennis Federation Hall of Fame Award and the International Tennis Federation Fed Cup Champion Award.

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