Introduction and Contextual Background:
As an employability educator at University of Arts London (UAL), my goal is to enhance students’ employability skills through our extra-curricular careers service. Over 2023/24 student engagement and attendance has been lower than previous years and this is partly due to so many students being unaware of our service. I believe that by encouraging tutors to promote our services, we can increase student participation and improve their employability prospects.
Evaluation:
Our in-curricular Employability Practitioners currently promote our services to students during course sessions when invited by course leaders. Additionally, we share information about upcoming sessions through the exchange newsletter and careers and employability newsletter, which is accessible to tutors. However, due to restrictions, we no longer display posters on campuses. We have no college presence so are exploring alternative college signage options to increase visibility and awareness.
Moving Forward:
To address these challenges, several proactive steps can be taken. Firstly, I propose creating an article on Canvas, UAL’s virtual learning environment, detailing the Careers & Employability support available to students. This resource will educate tutors on the services offered and how they can share this information with students effectively.
Secondly, hosting staff development sessions aimed at tutors could be beneficial. These sessions will provide insights into our sessions’ value for students’ career development and offer opportunities for tutors to share their personal experiences with students. This peer-to-peer approach can enhance engagement and trust in our services.
Furthermore, hosting a session at the UAL Education Conference in July will further promote our service among staff members. By showcasing the benefits of our sessions and how we support students, we can garner support and collaboration from a wider audience of educators.
Additionally, I plan to engage directly with tutors across UAL to understand how they currently discuss employability with students. By identifying opportune moments and weaving our services into these conversations, we can seamlessly integrate career development into the academic experience.
In conclusion, by leveraging various channels to promote our services, including Canvas articles, staff development sessions, conference presentations, and direct engagement with tutors, we can effectively increase student engagement and improve their employability outcomes. Through ongoing assessment and feedback, we will ensure that our initiatives are meeting the diverse needs of our student population and continually evolving to support their career aspirations.