In the wake of a global pandemic and economic uncertainty, it is no surprise to many that higher education institutions across the globe are facing challenges when it comes to increasing student engagement. While it remains harder than ever, challenges and opportunities are ahead for higher education institutions.
New research from Symplicity, in partnership with The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) sheds light on some of the opportunities and challenges on student engagement in career readiness in the UK. The research sought to understand in greater depth the challenges and opportunities facing UK careers services relating to student engagement. The report provides some useful recommendations and considerations for best practice – applicable to employability, careers services and wider student services delivery – from the use of “micro-experiences” in delivering CEIAG to using more inclusive and accessible language to encourage less confident students to engage.
Below are five key takeaways from the report
- When asked “What the biggest challenges to student engagement are” 69% said difficulty engaging with academic colleagues, followed by budget constraints, and mismatch between student expectations and type of support provided.
- Just over half of careers and employability service survey participants have a student engagement strategy, for 34% this is embedded within their main careers service strategy, for 19.1% this is an independent strategy
- There are limited formal processes in regard to the use of data on student engagement, but that many services use data informally to inform service delivery, strategic planning and conversations with academic, professional services and university leader colleagues as well as other stakeholders.
- When asked “What would encourage you to engage more with careers and employability provision” 70% of student respondents selected further opportunities for employability experience (e.g. part-time jobs, volunteering, internships)
- Encouraging though is that 69% of students surveyed identified that their university does offer a career services platform/website.
Despite wanting to engage with employers and work experience, students may find that these activities require the most time commitment and/or high levels of confidence so feel unable to engage.
To increase student engagement with career services, ACGAS and Symplicity recommend building inclusive language, introducing peer to peer alumni support, increase use of technology, and enhance micro-engagement with students.
To read the full report click here. For enquires on how Symplicity can improve your career centre solutions and enhance student engagement, email us at info@symplicity.com.
