Integrating a career development learning framework into work-integrated learning practicum debrief sessions

Abstract

Career development learning is proposed to “inform, guide and assist students to critically appraise not only the world of work, but also the specific occupation they have selected… and may be deployed to raise students’ awareness of employability and how to self-manage their studies and extra-curricular activities to optimise their employability” (Smith, M., et al., Career development learning: Maximising the Contribution of Work-Integrated Learning to the Student Experience. Final Project Report. June, 2009. 2009, University of Wollongong. Careers Central. Academic services Division). The project detailed in this chapter assesses the outcomes of integrating an employability framework into the post-practicum debrief sessions of a postgraduate exercise physiology program through the development of employability skills in the context of work-integrated learning (clinical practicum). The theoretical framework for, and the implementation of, an employability framework into practicum debrief sessions will be described in detail. Employability strategies utilised included participation in employment skills and career development seminars, case-conferencing and panel discussions with practising exercise physiologists and the inclusion of learning modules relating to key practice-based areas. Quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the program pertaining to student engagement and satisfaction will be presented, including students’ perceptions of the overall program in relation to their perceived employability, the perceived effectiveness of the individual strategies included in the program and their participation in employability activities outside of the scope of the program. The inclusion of activities relating to employability is proposed to promote higher student engagement in learning, particularly employability-related activities, and increased overall student satisfaction with their program of study.