Running the “with Industrial Experience” Programme  

Elaine  Dunn,  Susannah  Day,  Beate  Wilmshurst  and    Sandy  Williams  

Business School strategy  

Strategic objectives established in 2012 include major focus on delivering outstanding student careers:

•  Be in Top 5 UK Business Schools (DLHE)

•  Increase number of students undertaking work experience

•  Grow number students on industrial placement (150)

…within 5 years (from Sept 2012).

Informed by research, convinced that Exeter degree + good work experience = increased employment prospects.

Improving employability - UG students  

The Business School currently offers several ‘experiential’ options:

•  4-Year pathways available on all degrees:

Ø  With Industrial Experience (WIE)

Ø  With European Study (WES)

Ø  With International Study (WIS)

•  Business Experience module (15 credit elective, year 1 or 2)

•  Business Practice module (new for 2014/15; compulsory on Business & Management degrees)

WIE metrics  

Growing number of students on WIE and working to improve conversion rates from Year 1 to 2 and from Year 2 to 3:

Business  School  Undergraduate  WIE  student  numbers  

Academic  Year  2012/13    (actual)  

Academic  Year  2013/14    (actual)  

Academic  Year  2014/15  (forecast)  

Academic  Year  2015/16  (forecast)    

Year  One   191   252   250     280  

Year  Two   84  (70%)   164    (86%  )   227      (90%)   225    (90%)  

Year  Three  (on  placement)  

62  (70%)   67        (80%)   131      (80%)   181    (80%)  

Year  Four     49   62   67   131  

Total     386   545   675   818  

WIE overview  

Paid internship of up to a year (at least 36 weeks) either in the UK or EU and certain overseas countries

• 120 credits

• Assessed by course work (reflective report, business awareness report, reflective poster/video after return)

• and two employer reports plus one tutor report

• Allocated a placement tutor who provides ongoing support, marks and gives feedback on work, and visits once

The good bits  

Positive student feedback

• a memorable experience

• surprised at the welcoming employment environment

• excellent preparation for future employment

• excellent preparation for final year of study

The good bits (cont.)  

Positive employer feedback

• students learn fast and work hard

• integrate well

• often have specific responsibilities or projects

• make a real contribution

The challenges  

• how best to prepare students for placement search

• how best to prepare students for the placement experience

• how best to support international students on WIE

• concern about fees

• what, how and when to assess

• keeping lines of communication open

Placement processes  Improvements to prepare students for placement search:

•  Timing – begin prep sessions 6 months earlier (January start)

•  Integration - embed pre placement sessions in timetable

•  Commitment - introduce 1st year learning agreements - enable students to reflect on the suitability of WIE for their career and acknowledge responsibilities

•  Practice – compulsory mock assessment centre and interview; also employer visits and WIE specific skills sessions

Placement processes (cont.)  •  Networking - connecting year 1 & 2 students with year 3 & 4

•  Personal support - drop in’s and appointments with CARe staff to talk

through placement search in an accessible, welcoming space

•  Improving guidance - on international placement destinations

•  Communications - using social media to promote careers events,

application deadlines, CARe team availability

•  Availability - recording pre placement preparation sessions and

sharing with students via ELE

WIE Support Scheme  To encourage peer to peer support:

•  New WIE Support Scheme – returning 4th year WIE students

•  Online profiles on ELE – their placement search

•  Provide support in advance of application and selection process

•  Assisting with extra curricular careers activities and timetabled

sessions

Support  

Placement support for all years:

• networking events for all years (invitation to alumni events)

• monthly email communications to students on placement

• welcome back debrief to 4th years and “Farewell to WIE” event

Learn about our WIE students at:http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/buildingbrilliantcareers/meet/  

Reflections of the first cohort  

Welcome back review

• Returner’s survey

• Identified highlights, challenges

and areas requiring change

• Set up WIE mentors

• WIE network ‘the HIVE’ September  2012  

Highlights and Challenges  

Highlights   Challenges  

Increased  confidence   Early  starts,  long  hours  

Learning  from  people  with  industry  knowledge  

Maintaining  focus  in  meeQngs  

SiRng  ACA  exams   Work-­‐life  balance  

The  Christmas  party!!   Office  poliQcs  

Lunch  at  No  11   CommuQng  

Being  paid   Business  networking  

Becoming  organised   Unfamiliar  IT  

Becoming  a  professional   PresentaQons  to  clients/senior  management  

What would you change or enhance?  

Change   Enhance  training  

Reduce  number  of  assessments  

Interpersonal  skills  

Change  Employer  Assessment  form  to  reflect  business  skills  

Assessment  centres  

Define  role  of  Tutor  /  central  support  

PracQcal  skills  

Improve  ELE  informaQon   IT  training  

Enhance  WIE  handbook   PresentaQons  to  senior  team