Abstract
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1563-1578 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Studies in Higher Education |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 15 Dec 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sep 2016 |
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Undergraduate work placements : An analysis of the effects on career progression. / Brooks, Ruth; Youngson, Paul L.
In: Studies in Higher Education, Vol. 41, No. 9, 01.09.2016, p. 1563-1578.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Undergraduate work placements
T2 - An analysis of the effects on career progression
AU - Brooks, Ruth
AU - Youngson, Paul L.
PY - 2016/9/1
Y1 - 2016/9/1
N2 - Combining work experience with degree-level study is seen as a key differentiator for securing employment upon graduation in a competitive employment market. The positive benefits of sandwich courses, where up to 12 months is spent working in industry, are widely acknowledged in academic literature though data analysis tends to focus on cohorts in single subject areas with course-based factors possibly influencing outcomes. This paper explores the benefits of work placements on a cross-cohort basis with an institutional level study empirically analysing over three academic years the outcomes for placement students in comparison to non-placement students. The study found that completing a sandwich work placement is associated with improved academic performance in the final year of study. Placement students are also more likely to secure appropriate graduate-level work and higher starting salaries upon completion of their degree in comparison to non-placement students.
AB - Combining work experience with degree-level study is seen as a key differentiator for securing employment upon graduation in a competitive employment market. The positive benefits of sandwich courses, where up to 12 months is spent working in industry, are widely acknowledged in academic literature though data analysis tends to focus on cohorts in single subject areas with course-based factors possibly influencing outcomes. This paper explores the benefits of work placements on a cross-cohort basis with an institutional level study empirically analysing over three academic years the outcomes for placement students in comparison to non-placement students. The study found that completing a sandwich work placement is associated with improved academic performance in the final year of study. Placement students are also more likely to secure appropriate graduate-level work and higher starting salaries upon completion of their degree in comparison to non-placement students.
KW - academic performance
KW - career development
KW - Employability
KW - graduate students
KW - placements
U2 - 10.1080/03075079.2014.988702
DO - 10.1080/03075079.2014.988702
M3 - Article
VL - 41
SP - 1563
EP - 1578
JO - Studies in Higher Education
JF - Studies in Higher Education
SN - 0307-5079
IS - 9
ER -