“Career education helps students to develop the skills that are needed to evaluate potential career paths. Students engage in hands-on learning to master a craft” (www.positiveaction.net, n.d.)
Upon analysis of my work and its connection to the industry, namely interacting with industry professionals, I have come to understand that career education and guidance aim to assist individuals in realising their maximum potential in their careers. I, as a careers education practitioner (my title within my role at LCC IS Placements and Employability Manager), assist students in understanding who they are, developing their skills, looking into opportunities, putting their career plans into action, and making well-informed choices about their academic and professional development. (www.lgcareerswales.org.uk, n.d.)
The professional organisation for career development, Career Development Institute UK (CDI), was founded in 2013 and sets standards, advocates for, and promotes excellent career development for everyone (Themesberg, n.d.). This organisation has established a framework, which I consider in my practice, with the primary goal of elucidating the abilities, knowledge, and mindset that people require to have a fulfilling profession (resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk, n.d.). I received my qualification in 2020 from this regulating organisation after completing a Level 7 in Career Development and Management.
A 2013 paper commissioned for research by the Gatsby Foundation states that competent career guidance is essential for any student to make well-informed decisions on their future. Social mobility requires effective career assistance; students who lack access to career guidance systems and large social capital are especially in need of such services (www.gatsby.org.uk, n.d.).
Upskilling the workforce and fostering innovation are two major drivers of economic growth that arise from industry involvement, with students’ careers education. This is because the quickly evolving industry needs creative individuals to progress in its sectors. As a result, the foundation of the interaction between academic institutions and industry sectors is the requirement to establish solid alliances to contextualise the relationship between theory and practice and address the need for new skill sets. (THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect, 2022)
Consequently, there is a strong correlation between education and professional success because pursuing a higher education can improve students’ chances of finding employment, raise students’ earning potential and provide students with the information and skills needed to progress in their chosen field (Educatly, 2023).
In my position, I oversee a wide spectrum of university-business exchanges related to industry engagement, which can result in fruitful partnerships. It entails sharing information and concepts to advance capabilities and technological advancements (www.uow.edu.au, n.d.). Verifying the need for me to cultivate industry relationships with students to improve student career outcomes and strengthen the world economy.
“Young people at risk of being excluded often experience multiple and subtle barriers to career success” (Talentino Careers!, n.d.).
My goal with this study and my practice is to reduce barriers to inclusion. All students ought to be better prepared and given more support for their education, training and career as a result. I must pay close attention to every detail to comprehend the unique demands of each stakeholder—students and industry professionals—while maintaining a professional and inclusive balance. (Talentino Careers!, n.d.).
“The involvement of diverse participants with different perspectives can help researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and community members produce insights…” (Organizing Engagement, 2019)
In order to get a genuine response and honest reflections to my investigation question, rather than a tailored perspective, I have decided to invite all of the industry professionals that I will be working with in Block 1 instead of selecting participants for my study based on feedback from my peers.
References
THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect. (2022). Higher education and industry: how to work well together. [online] Available at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/spotlight/higher-education-and-industry-how-work-well-together
resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk. (n.d.). New CDI Framework | CEC Resource Directory. [online] Available at: https://resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/resources/new-cdi-framework#:~:text=Get%20this%20resource [Accessed 17 Jan. 2024].
Educatly. (2023). Education and Career Success: What is the Relationship? | Educatly. [online] Available at: https://www.educatly.com/blog/279/whats-the-relationship-between-education-and-career-success
Education and the path to employment | Institute for Employment Studies (IES). (n.d.). Education and the path to employment | Institute for Employment Studies (IES). [online] Available at: https://www.employment-studies.co.uk/what-we-know/education-and-path-employment
www.positiveaction.net. (n.d.). What is Career Education? A Complete Overview. [online] Available at: https://www.positiveaction.net/career-education
www.gatsby.org.uk. (n.d.). Good Career Guidance | Education | Gatsby. [online] Available at: https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance#:~:text=Every%20young%20person%20needs%20good [Accessed 17 Jan. 2024].
www.lgcareerswales.org.uk. (n.d.). Careers Teacher. [online] Available at: http://www.lgcareerswales.org.uk/careers-a-z-en/c/careers-teacher.aspx#:~:text=Local%20government%20careers%20teachers%20help [Accessed 17 Jan. 2024].
Themesberg (n.d.). Title –. [online] demo.themesberg.com. Available at: https://www.thecdi.net/about-us [Accessed 17 Jan. 2024].
www.uow.edu.au. (n.d.). Industry research engagement – University of Wollongong – UOW. [online] Available at: https://www.uow.edu.au/industry/industry-research-engagement/#:~:text=Industry%20engagement%20includes%20a%20broad
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/6._how_to_make_your_careers_programme_inclusive-talentino.pdf. Talentino Careers! (n.d.). Talentino! Careers Advice, Support and Development. [online] Available at: https://www.talentinocareers.co.uk/
Organizing Engagement (2019). Participatory action research and evaluation. [online] Organizing Engagement. Available at: https://organizingengagement.org/models/participatory-action-research-and-evaluation/