The perceived value of work placements and part-time work and its diminution with time

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the perceptions of degree students at two UK universities regarding their work placement and part-time working activities, to assess if the two activities converge. The research comprises three stages: interviews for preliminary exploration of students’ perceptions towards work placement and part-time work; interviews to examine how placement opportunities link with career aspirations; a survey of students who had completed a placement, and those currently on placement. Students acknowledged part-time working helped their placement activity, providing transferable skills beneficial to both study and career aspirations. A significant finding was with respect to time: the closer to the placement activity the data was collected, the stronger the impact of appreciating the value of placement. The paper therefore highlights the value of timing in the assessment of work placement. It also offers value for universities’ by providing insight into students’ perceptions regarding embedded external work activities that can enhance graduate employability and career prospects.

KEYWORDS:

• Employability
• placements
• part-time work
• careers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gbolahan Gbadamosi

Gbolahan Gbadamosi is an academic with the Business School, Bournemouth University, UK. Gbola teaches organisational behaviour and research methods. His current research work focuses on unethical work behaviour, careers, work-life balance and wellbeing, and employee engagement.

Carl Evans

Carl Evans is a Senior Lecturer with the Bristol Business School, UWE, UK. Carl teaches strategic and operations management. His current research interests include employability, graduate work careers and educational assessment.

Katherine Jones

Katherine Jones is Head of Industry Engagement for The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. Katherine leads employability and industry engagement for students in the agricultural, business, environmental, equine science, farm management, food, real estate and rural land management sectors. Research areas include placements, internships and graduate employability.

Mitchell Hickman

Mitchell Hickman studied at the Business School at Bournemouth University, UK. He embarked on a career in the Financial Services industry and enjoys research surrounding the impact of employment whilst studying.

Hannah Rudley

Hannah Rudley recently graduated from Bournemouth Universities Business School, with first class honours in human resource management. Following her studies, Hannah is pursuing a career in Human Resources, currently working within the manufacturing sector.