Digital career resources or a filled lecture theatre are efficient methods to deliver career guidance but are they effective?
By Dr Andrew Mizumori Hirst, Beth Medley and Elizabeth Lansell
School of Physics Engineering and Technology, University of York
published by ASET, the Work Based and Placement Learning Association as part of the Community Knowledge Exchanges series.
What makes career guidance effective is exactly the type of question the White Rose Industrial Physics Academy (WRIPA) are exploring. Just as individuals learn in different ways the same is true of how they acquire knowledge about career opportunities. Students have different ‘invisible barriers’ to acquiring work experience or developing professional networks.
The York WRIPA Team has introduced a different careers guidance approach within the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, offering a tailored 1-to-1, person-led approach to physics students. Our physics students are academically equipped for technical roles. However, they need to have the self-awareness to align their skill set with particular technology sectors and the confidence to act on the careers guidance. Recognising and acknowledging the diversity of our student cohort and intersectionality drives the focus of this work. We believe this is an equitable way to support our physics students to realise their career potential.
“Honestly, the encouragement you gave me last year to apply for internships despite me thinking I didn’t have the skills really gave me the starting step and the confidence to apply for multiple grad jobs this year”
Community Knowledge Exchanges have been developed to share good practice, specialised knowledge and expertise across the ASET community. ASET Members can view the article (and all the other great ASET resources!) via the community section of the ASET website.
ASET offers members a range of professional development opportunities from Staff Development Workshops to their Annual Conference. They work with colleagues at every stage of their career and offer a range of resources to support members whether you are a professional service colleague or academic researching in this space.