Beyond learning in higher education
An evaluation of the 'Life Design' initiative to improve student employability
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4800999 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kate Elizabeth Williams (0000-0003-2868-8292, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, corresponding author), Paul B Hutchings (0000-0003-1480-6454, University of Wales Trinity Saint David), Ceri Phelps (0000-0002-3962-2902, University of Wales Trinity Saint David) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 1184-1198 |
| Publication date | 2022-06-03 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Studies in Higher Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0307-5079 • E-ISSN: 1470-174X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03075079.2020.1870946 |
| OpenAlex | W3122023140 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 24 |
With increasing evidence highlighting the link between psychological factors such as self-esteem, self-efficacy and optimism on employability outcomes, this paper reports an evaluation of a unique student experience initiative called ‘Life Design’ developed to support the professional and personal development of undergraduate students. First year undergraduates engaged in a two-hour workshop involving interactive exercises designed to foster self-reflection, self-efficacy, and career optimism. The impact of this workshop on validated self-report measures of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and optimism, alongside career-related outcomes was explored using a prospective longitudinal design. Analyses revealed a significant immediate and sustained increase in self-esteem following Life Design, but no impact on self-efficacy or career optimism. Certainty of career developing steps increased at a later follow up, but no changes to career prospect confidence or career choice certainty were reported. This paper highlights the benefits and wider challenges of delivering and engaging students in initiatives designed to enhance employability
Employability · Higher education · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Higher Education and Employability · Higher Education Practises and Engagement · Higher Education Research Studies · Psychology
Society and the Adolescent Self-Image
The General Self-Efficacy Scale
Is General Self-Efficacy a Universal Construct?1
The Relationships Among Gratitude, Self-esteem, Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Undergraduate Students
The Career Futures Inventory
Addressing potential challenges in co-creating learning and teaching
Self-Efficacy and Academic Motivation
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
Assessment of perceived general self-efficacy on the internet
Measuring Global Self-Esteem
Graduate Employability
Exploring the effects of a youth enrichment program on academic motivation and engagement
Self-evaluative and self-efficacy mechanisms governing the motivational effects of goal systems
Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem)
From self-conceptions to self-worth
Simultaneous Administration of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in 53 Nations
| Citations per year | 0.75 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2022 - 2024 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |