The role of universities in preparing graduates to use software in the financial services workplace

Abstract

The role of universities in preparing students to use spreadsheet and other technical software in the financial services workplace has been investigated through surveys of university graduates, university academics, and employers. It is found that graduates are less skilled users of software than employers would like, due at least in part to a lack of structured formal training opportunities in the workplace, and a lack of targeted, coherent learning opportunities at university. The widespread and heavy use of software in the workplace means that there is significant potential for productivity gains if universities and employers address these issues.

Keywords:

• actuarial
• finance
• graduate capabilities
• learning
• mathematics
• perceptions
• software
• spreadsheets
• teaching
• university

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the support of Macquarie University through a Macquarie University Teaching Development Grant to the Australian Actuaries Institute for disseminating the survey notices to members, Shauna Ferris, Glyn Mather, Stuart Meaney, Junlan Hu, Minh Phan and Tandy Xu, for research assistance and disseminating the surveys. The authors also thank the graduates, employers and academics who generously gave their time and expertise to complete the surveys.