Beyond the academic curriculum: embedding a career management program to improve the employability of business students

• Published in: Education & training (London) Vol. 66; no. 4; pp. 379 - 394
• Main Authors: Chieng, Fayrene, Goi, Chai Lee, Ho, Jie Min, Yip, Ka Yii
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Emerald Publishing Limited 16.07.2024; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Business education; Career Development; Career development planning; Career Planning; Communication Skills; Curricula; Decision Making Skills; Educational Experience; Effectiveness; Embedding; Employment; Employment Potential; Extracurricular Activities; Human Capital; Individual Characteristics; Industry 4.0; Internship Programs; Internships; Job Application; Job Skills; Knowledge Level; Labor Market; Learning Activities; Learning Experience; Literature Reviews; Modules; Occupational Aspiration; Perceptions; Professional development; Student Empowerment; Student Improvement; Student Motivation; Students; Teaching Methods; Workshops; Perceived employability; Career management competencies; Career development learning
• ISSN: 0040-0912; 1758-6127
• DOI: 10.1108/ET-01-2024-0009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a career management program embedded within a business module, with a specific focus on enhancing the employability of students.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved five one-hour workshops based on the DOTS model, covering aspects like resume writing and professional communication. Surveys, using a structured questionnaire and a Likert scale, measured participants' perceived employability. The pre-survey included demographic details, while the post-survey evaluated the effectiveness of the Career development learning workshop. Incentives and QR codes were employed to boost participation, and data were collected at the semester's start and end, with responses linked through students' phone numbers.FindingsThe results confirmed a positive connection between the perceived effectiveness of skill programs and students' employability. Integration of career management into the curriculum cultivates a heightened professional mindset and boosts employability. Validation through a paired-samples t-test demonstrates a substantial increase in perceived employability after program participation, affirming the program's role in fostering psychosocial empowerment and elevating students' confidence in job seeking.Originality/valueThis pioneering research integrates a career management program into a business module, addressing employability challenges in Industry 4.0. It provides empirical evidence of the program's positive impact on students' perceived employability.