This book explores stakeholders’ perspectives, their practices, and engagement with enacting the employability agenda in the context of a rapidly changing world. It explains the need for developing graduate employability under socioeconomic, cultural, and political pressure exposed to the higher education sector. Largely framed within Bourdieu’s concepts of social field, habitus, and capital, it explores international stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences with graduate employability agenda in different contexts, which serves as a point of reference for the adoption of such initiatives. Based on empirical evidence, the authors develop a new graduate employability framework seeing it as a lifelong process, denote the relationships between types of employability capital, and shed light on the consequences of different strategies to translate employability capital to employment and career outcomes. Overall, this book generates both theoretical and practical insights which help to advance employability programs, better prepare the future workforce, and anticipate turbulence in the labour markets.
Author(s): Tran Le Huu Nghia, Binh Chi Bui, Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh, Vinh N. Lu
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 389
City: Singapore
Acknowledgments
Contents
Editors and Contributors
Abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Graduate Employability Agenda in Global Higher Education: Are We Moving in the Same Direction?
Higher Education in an Era of Change
Addressing the Changes: The Employability Agenda in Higher Education
Tensions in Implementing Graduate Employability Programs in Higher Education
The Research Gap and the Focus of This Book
Structure of the Book
Part 1: Context of Graduate Employability Development in Higher Education
Part 2: Perspectives on Employability
Part 3: Initiatives to Develop Employability for Students
Part 4: Translating Employability into Employment Outcomes and Career Advancement
Part 5: Conclusion
References
Part I Background
2 From Employability to Employment Outcomes and Career Advancement: A Literature Review
Introduction
Graduate Employability as a Multi-faceted Concept
What is Graduate Employability?
Components of Employability
Competing Perspectives on Employability
Initiatives In and Outside the Curriculum to Develop Graduate Employability
Capstone or Final-Semester Projects
Work-Integrated Learning
Student Career Services
Extra-Curricular Activities
Volunteering and Community Engagement
International Exchanges
Mentoring
Networking Events
Part-Time Employment
Graduate Portfolio or Profile
Professional Membership
Self-Presentation in Social Media
The Translation of Graduate Employability into Employment Outcomes and Career Advancement
Absolute Employability: The Package of Employability Capital
Perceived Employability
Graduates’ Psychological Factors
Graduates’ Ability to Demonstrate Employability
Market Factors
Employers’ Preferences
Conclusion
References
3 Using Bourdieu's Concepts of Social Field, Habitus, and Capital for Employability-Related Research
Introduction
Bourdieu’s Social Field, Habitus, and Capital
Social Field and Habitus
Forms of Capital
Relevant Concepts to Social Field, Habitus, and Capital
The Use of Bourdieu’s Concepts and Relevant Concepts in Employability-Related Research
Bourdieu’s Capital and Relevant Concepts in Employability-Related Research
Bourdieu’s Social Field and Habitus and Relevant Concepts in Employability-Related Research
The Use of Bourdieu’s Social Field, Habitus, and Capital Concepts in This Book
Conclusion
References
Part II Perspectives Toward Graduate Employability
4 Academic Perspectives of the Skills That Business Graduates in Australia Would Need: The Case of Victoria-Based Universities
Introduction
Literature Review
Employability and Employability Capital
The Employability Agenda in Australian Universities
The Present Study
Findings
University A
University B
University C
University D
Discussion
Dimensions of Employability That the Universities Develop for Business Students
Differences in Employability Perspectives
Conclusion
References
5 International Research Students’ Perceptions of Employability Skills in a Malaysian Research University
Introduction
Graduate Employability Agenda in Higher Education
Employability Skills for International Research Students in Malaysia
Research Design and Methodology
Participants
Data Collection and Analysis
Findings and Discussions
Research Skills
Teaching Skills
Technical Skills
Project Management Skills
Conclusion and Implications
References
6 Perceived Employment Outcome Determinants and Experiences with Employability Development Activities Within Information Technology Engineering Programs in India
Introduction
Literature Review
Employability Concepts, Employability Capitals, and Employment Outcomes
Initiatives to Develop Employability for Students in Higher Education
The Context of the Study: Engineering Education in India
Research Design and Method
Results of the Study
Students’ Perspectives
Graduates’ Perspectives
Teachers’ Perspectives
Discussion
Implications for Employability Development Programs in Higher Education
Conclusion
References
7 Vietnamese Employers’ and Graduates’ Perspectives on Essential Skills for Students of Hospitality
Introduction
Literature Review
An Employability Skills Framework for Hospitality Students
Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Vietnam and Demands for a Skilled Workforce
The Present Study
Phase 1
Phase 2
Qualitative Findings
Technical Knowledge and Skills
Soft Skills
Leadership Skills
Management Skills
Career Planning and Career Development Skills
Quantitative Findings
Discussion
Conclusion and Recommendations
References
Part III Initiatives to Develop Graduate Employability
8 Graduate Employability and Responsiveness: The Need for Aligning Policy Directions and Institutional Readiness in Ethiopia
Introduction
Theorization of Employability and Institutional Responsiveness
Institutional Responsiveness
Linkage and Partnership
Curriculum Responsiveness
Transition to Work, Graduate Tracking and Student Destinations
Policy and Implementation Framework
Research Design
Findings and Discussion
National Policy Directions and Expectations
Institutional Strategies and Directions
Linkages and Partnerships
Curriculum Responsiveness
Employer Feedback
Transition, Destinations, and Tracer Studies
Discussion and Conclusion
References
9 Developing Generic Skills for Students in Vietnamese Universities: Facilitators and Inhibitors
Introduction
GS Implementation Models and Influencers
Conceptualization of the Implementation
Implementation Scale
Channels to Impart GS
Pedagogical Methods to Impart GS
Research Methods
GS Implementation Strategies of the Six Universities
Influencers of GS Policy Implementation
Influencers of Developing GS via the Main Curriculum and/or Co-curriculum
Influencers of Developing GS at the Workplace via Internship Programs
Influencers of Developing GS via Extra-Curricular Activities
Final Thoughts
References
10 A Malaysian Research University’s Initiative to Develop International Students’ Employability Skills
Introduction
Employability Concepts and Employability Development Initiatives: International Perspectives and Practices
Employability Development Initiatives in Malaysian Universities
The Present Study
Findings
Within-Curricular Initiatives
Co-curricular Initiatives
Extra-curricular Initiatives
Discussion and Conclusion
References
11 Beyond the Hospital and Entrepreneurial Models of Journalism Education: Case Studies of Work-Integrated Learning Models in Wise Practice
Introduction
Literature Review
Dominant WIL Models in Journalism Education: Teaching Hospitals and Entrepreneurship
University-Led WIL: A Wise Practice Framework
Study 1: Using a Wise Practice Framework to Develop Inclusive WIL in Journal Education
Study Aims and Approaches
Data Collection and Analysis
Results
Study 2: The Value of Emerging WIL Models Developed Under the Wise Practice Framework
Study Aims and Approaches
Data Collection and Analysis
Results and Discussion
Enhancing Employability Assets - evidencing employability
Authentic Work Experience
Conclusion
References
12 Vietnamese University Students’ Motivation and Engagement with Participating in Extracurricular Activities to Develop Employability
Introduction
Literature Review
The Concept of Motivation
Student Engagement
Student Engagement in ECAs
Research Design
Results
Student Motivation to Participate in ECAs
Student Engagement with ECAs
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Part IV Translating Employability into Employment Outcomes and Career Advancement
13 Are You an Outstanding or a Disappointing Job Candidate? Hawaii Recruiters’ Perspectives on Demonstrating Employability Skills and Qualities
Introduction
Literature Review
Conceptualizing Employability
Employability Skills
Conceptual Framework
The Present Study
Study Context
Research Methods
Results
Employability Skills
Qualitative Results
The Most Outstanding Job Applicant
The Most Disappointing Job Applicant
Discussion
Limitations and Recommendations for Further Research
Conclusion
References
14 Translating Employability Capital into Employment Outcomes and Career Development: South African Teachers’ and Principals’ Views
Introduction
Literature Review
Employability and Sustaining Employability
Employability for the Teaching Profession
The Conceptual Framework
The Present Study
Context of the Study
Research Design
Data Analysis
Findings
Factors Influencing Hiring Decisions
Demonstrating Employability Skills and Other Attributes
Sustaining Teacher Employability
Professional Development
Lifelong Learning Skills
Teamwork-Related Skills
Technological Skills
Work Ethics
Discussion and Conclusion
References
15 The Journey to Securing Full-Time Employment in the Host Country: The Case of International Graduates of Australian Universities
Introduction
Literature Review
Employability, Employability Capitals, and Employment Outcomes
International Graduates’ Employability and Employment Outcomes in Australia
Research Methods
Research Design and Question
Data Collection
Findings
Job Search Strategy
Human Capital
Social Capital
Cultural Capital
Psychological Capital
Identity Capital
Discussion and Conclusion
References
16 International Graduates’ Exercising of Agency for Employability: A Decade-Long Journey
Introduction
Literature Review
Motivations for Studying Abroad
Theoretical Framework
Employability and the Personal Attributes and Capitals Approach
Employability in the Agency and Social Structure Approach
Employability in International Graduates and the International Employment Context
The Present Study
Research Context: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Program
Research Questions
Method and Participants
Findings
Summary of Participants’ Career Trajectories After Graduation
International Graduates’ Enactment of Employability Agency Upon Graduation
Obstacles in the Enactment of Employability Agency Upon Graduation
Personal Obstacles: The Disadvantage of Being a Foreigner
Higher Education Institution Obstacles: Lack of Career Vision in the Program
Labor Market Obstacles: Employers’ Lack of Knowledge of the Emerging Field
State Economy Obstacles: Financial Disturbance in the World
Overseas Experience and Career Development a Decade Later
Discussion
Study Implication and Limitation
Conclusion
References
17 Translating Employability into Employment Outcomes: A Case Study of Ph.D. Graduates’ Experiences
Introduction
Conceptualizing Employability
Conceptual Framework
Research Procedures and Methodology
Research Findings
The Participants
Experiences in Translating Employability into Employment Oustcomes
Discussion
Limitations and Recommendations for Further Research
Conclusion
References
18 Utilizing Employability Capitals for Career Development: A Case of a Vietnamese Female Academic
Introduction
Literature Review
Capitals for Career Development
Role Conflicts and Career Development
Career Development for Women in Vietnamese Socio-Cultural Context
My Career Development Narrative
Reflections: What Hindered and Enhanced My Career Development?
Hindrances of My Career Development Between 2010 and 2013
Building and Utilization of Employability Capitals for Career Development
Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Part V Conclusion
19 Reconceptualization of Graduate Employability for Career Advancement
Introduction
Perspectives, Initiatives, and Stakeholders’ Engagement with the Employability Agenda: The Influence of the Social Field and Habitus
The Translation of Graduate Employability to Employment Outcomes and Career Development
Reconceptualization of Employability
Implications for Employability Agenda in Higher Education
Step 1: Knowledge About Employability
Step 2: Building up Employability Capital
Step 3: Self-Evaluating Employability Capital
Step 4: Searching for Job Opportunities
Step 5: Demonstrating Employability Capital to Employers
Step 6: Utilizing and Updating Employability Capital for the Future
Conclusion
References
