Employment outcomes and satisfaction levels in graduates of the gerontology master's programs in Spain

ABSTRACT

There has been an increase in the aging population in developed countries. This has led to a need for trained people in the gerontological field. The most common academic way of specializing in this field in Spain is via a master's program. It is well known that investing in human capital increases knowledge, productivity, and the probability of getting a job. The question is if these kinds of educational programs are useful to provide real preparation for students and if the programs are useful for getting into the job market. We asked graduates to supply the answers. A survey was completed by 144 graduates from the Universities of Salamanca and Seville. Most graduates selected these master's programs to increase their probability of getting a job. A total of 64.6% reported that they had got a job, 38.8% of which got one in the first 2 years after graduating. A total of 55.6% felt that they had got a job thanks to having done the master's program. The usefulness of the acquired knowledge (47.9%) and social networks (28.8%) was seemingly high when getting a job. A high percentage of students (67%) found a job in this field after completing the master's program, and they got their first experience in a relatively short period after graduating. Investment in human capital is considered useful by graduates. The labor market is interested in highly qualified specialists. To have a postgraduate degree is still an advantage in getting a job, even after the 2008 economic crisis.     

Uncovering important 21st-century skills for sustainable career development of social sciences graduates: A systematic review

BackgroundTeaching 21st-century skills is widely recognized as an important task of higher education. However, an overview of which skills students need to obtain a sustainable career is missing. Using the Framework for 21st Century Learning (P21, 2019a) and the model of sustainable careers (de Vos et al., 2020), we aimed to take stock of current knowledge on which 21st-century skills are considered important for social sciences students’ sustainable career development and how these skills contribute to their career sustainability.MethodsFor this systematic review, we searched EconLit, ERIC, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS), PsycINFO, Scopus, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science on May 28, 2021. We selected peer-reviewed empirical articles that were published between 2003 and 2019 and addressed graduates' and employers' perspectives on the skills needed for social sciences graduates’ career sustainability. Twelve articles met all our selection criteria and were included for a thematic analysis after quality appraisal.ResultsThe included articles operationalized the career sustainability of social sciences graduates mostly in terms of finding a job and maintaining employment, to a lesser extent as high job performance, job satisfaction, and work engagement. Communication and problem solving skills were most frequently reported by both social sciences graduates and employers as crucial for a sustainable career. In addition, critical thinking, initiative and self-direction, and social and cross-cultural skills were also reported as important skills. None of the studies investigated mechanisms that would explain how these skills would exactly contribute to social science graduates’ career sustainability.DiscussionThe results of this review showed that studies to date have addressed only a limited number of career sustainability indicators. Moreover, explanatory mechanisms have largely been ignored. This is an important gap in the literature that future studies would need to address by building on the existing sustainable career development models.     

Manpower Forecasting and Rapid Labour Market Analysis: the demand for technical school graduates in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Debate about manpower forecasting has continued for 25 years or more. The investigation reported here is an attempt to add to the debate. It focusses on the provision of secondary technical education in Egypt and the demand for technical school graduates, especially graduates from courses in agriculture. Egypt's secondary school system is more strongly vocationally oriented than that in most other developing countries. The approach used in the investigation has two components: interviews with potential employers and interviews with secondary school graduates. The supply of graduates from agriculture schools is seen to be far greater than likely demand. Severe constraints on the effective working of the labour market are apparent.     

John Wilson and the Place of Morality in Education

This paper asks whether it would be better not to talk about morality in schools. The issue is raised through a consideration of changes in public discourse and especially in educational discourse, where categories such as ''personal, social and health education'' and ''citizenship education'' are more salient than ''moral education''. Drawing on John Wilson's arguments, the paper considers claims for the indispensability of the concept of morality. It is argued that such claims, in Wilson's own writings, are applied to both an ''individual'' and a ''social'' conception of morality. Contrary to Wilson, the paper argues that the ''wisest strategy'' for public education is to take the social conception of ''morality in the narrow sense'' as a central focus.     

Children's alternative views: alternative to what?

In secondary education, 'energy' is often introduced by distinguishing different 'forms of energy' for different phenomena. Of these forms of energy, only kinetic and potential energy are accepted in current science. The question has been raised whether 'forms of energy' should be eliminated from secondary school science curricula. As a contribution to this discussion we have analysed 'forms of energy' language for inconsistencies and limitations of validity in Part I. In this second part, results are presented of two teaching experiments at university level, each involving five students. In these experiments attempts are made to build on students 'forms of energy' language as well as to challenge its limitations. Details of student and teacher reasoning are presented. The conclusion is drawn that 'forms of energy' language must be reformulated before it can be evaluated with reference to experience. A reformulation in terms of 'value' (cf. Scheler 1997) proved to be productive.     

Bridging the Gap Between Degree Programme Curricula and Employability Through Implementation of Work-related Learning

This article investigates the gap between employers' requirements of graduates and the skills which graduates are furnished with through degree programmes in the higher education (HE) sector in the UK. A survey of 88 subject review reports prepared by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for environmentally related units in the UK showed little emphasis on employability issues. Surveys of first destination statistics of a cohort of graduates from two biological degrees and from national data showed that a significant proportion of graduates were in non-science-based activities. The non-knowledge-based learning outcomes from one degree were investigated, and showed that employability aspects were partially covered in the programme, but were not always associated with secure assessments. The concept of work-related learning is defined and a conceptual framework for HE practitioners is presented that could be used when designing curricula to better map programme learning outcomes onto graduate employment.     

Identifying a Gender‐inclusive Pedagogy from Maltese Teachers’ Personal Practical Knowledge

In secondary education 'energy' is often introduced by distinguishing different 'forms of energy' for different phenomena. Of these forms of energy, only kinetic and potential energy are accepted in current science. The question has been raised whether all forms of energy should be eliminated from secondary school science curricula. As a contribution to this discussion we will first analyse the language used to introduce 'forms of energy' in order to determine possible inconsistencies and limitations of validity, judged from the viewpoint of thermodynamics. In Part II, the results of two teaching experiments at university level will be presented. In these experiments attempts are made to build on students 'forms of energy' language as well as to challenge its limitations. As a result of both parts, conclusions will be drawn as to whether 'forms of energy' can be accepted 'as an intermediary language' and changes to the usual teaching sequence will be proposed.     

Student teachers in school practice: an analysis of learning opportunities

Abstract

Over the past decade, educational policy in Britain, as in other industrial nations, has been increasingly driven by the concern that higher education should serve the needs of the economy more effectively. The report Highly Qualified People: supply and demand reflects this concern and attempts to establish from employers Britain's likely requirement, in the 1990s, for such expensively educated labour. Though the report concluded that Britain needed more graduates over the next few years, closer scrutiny of its data suggests a very different conclusion ‐ not that Britain needs more graduates to prosper, but rather that Britain needs first to prosper before it is likely to want the graduates it already produces.

     

To walk invisible: distance students in a dual-mode university*

Abstract

This paper argues that dual mode provision has a critical role to play in widening participation. The mixed methods study drew on institutional records, an online survey (n = 126) and 17 semi-structured interviews to explore the participation experience of a group of distance graduates (n = 268) from a dual mode university. Derived from the theories of Bourdieu, a social reproduction framework was employed, using the concepts of habitus, field and capital. Findings indicate that graduates shared a predominantly working class background. They chose a dual mode university as they did not want their degree seen in any way as different from those of conventional university graduates. During their participation they experienced a sense of belonging to their peer group, but not to the university. They perceived themselves to have been less important to the university than full-time students and felt excluded from institutional supports. Implications for dual mode provision are drawn from the findings.     

Editorial

Abstract

Based on a recently completed alumni study of 522 graduates at a private college in the northeastern Unites States, this paper presents a model for designing alumni research to assess higher education's effectiveness in preparing graduates for work and life. Results revealed substantial variation in alumni evaluation of their education. While alumni reported a high level of satisfaction with the academic programme and career preparation, their feedback suggests they seek more from their college experience. Results reveal that students who feel a sense of community are more satisfied with their overall college experience and those who are satisfied with their social life are more likely to recommend the college to prospective students.     

Evaluating Teacher Education Programs Using a National Survey

Abstract

The authors used the National Survey of Teacher Education Program Graduates, developed by Freeman, Loadman, and Kennedy (1991), to evaluate the baccalaureate and master's of education (M.Ed.) teacher education programs at a major Carnegie I research university. The instrument's 4 measures—acting as proxies for teacher education graduate careers, quality of program, teaching skills, and teaching knowledge satisfaction—were compared with national norms from other teacher education programs across the country. The survey data from the class of 1996, consisting of 263 baccalaureate graduates and 171 M.Ed, graduates, suggested that they were generally very positive about their programs and careers. In general, the baccalaureate and M.Ed. graduate responses on all 4 measures were more alike than different. Both groups of 1996 graduates rated the measures more positively than the national norms.     

The Graduate Record Examination and undergraduate grade point average: Predicting graduate grade point averages in a Criminal Justice graduate program

This study was conducted to investigate if there are any predictive relationships between scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and graduate grade point average (GGPA), and undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) and GGPA. The data were collected from all graduates from the Master's program in Criminal Justice at a medium-sized Southern university from 1989 to 1999 (N = 94). The results indicated that UGPA and GRE scores explain about 40% of the variance in GGPAs. It is concluded that all three GRE subscales should be considered in the graduate admissions process in criminal justice programs.     

Education,vocationalism and economic recovery: the case against witchcraft1

Abstract

The widening of access to higher education for mature students has been placed on the policy agenda by the government, in part as a response to demographic changes which will reduce the number of young graduates entering the labour market. This article examines the current position of students in the over 30 age group in UK universities with reference to their entrance qualifications, degree attainment and first destinations on leaving university. It compares the experience of men and women in this age group with young students in the conventional undergraduate population and questions whether a university degree is sufficient to overcome the barriers to the labour market experienced by older graduates. Finally it challenges the access model of equal opportunity implicit in the government's White Paper on Higher Education.     

Managing collaboration across further and higher education: a case in practice

The Dearing Report highlighted the need for HE programmes to enhance students' basic skills, and one of these is numeracy skill. There is a history of low confidence and negative attitudes to learning about numbers and 'maths anxiety' in undergraduates which means that delivering 'numerate graduates' may be something of a challenge to HE institutions. This college surveyed attitudes to numeracy and learning about numbers in all first-year students (over 1000 students). Over 40% of students returned their questionnaires. This survey found considerable negative attitudes and low confidence among respondents as a whole (25% of those who returned the questionnaire), and anxiety was highest (over 40%) in students taking a Humanities programme. This raises considerable concern about how we can deliver numeracy to students in HE. The findings of the survey, gender issues and the individualised concept of 'maths anxiety' are discussed in relation to the social and cultural construction of attitudes to maths and maths confidence as empowerment (Benn, 1997). The main conclusion is that HE institutions need to consider carefully how to provide good educational opportunities for individuals with low motivation to engage in maths-related activity. There is also an urgent need to challenge cultural myths and stereotyping relating to maths learning if we want the next generation of graduates to have more confidence in their maths skills.     

Young People,Politics and News Media: Beyond political socialisation

This article considers the place of news media-particularly television news-in young people's political socialisation. Following a brief sketch of debates about young people's apparent indifference to politics and to news media, it provides a critical review of previous research in this field. It argues that researchers have often operated with a functionalist notion of socialisation and an unduly narrow conception of political understanding. The second part of the article provides a summary of some key themes raised by the author's own research into young people's interpretations of television news. It focuses particularly on the question of young people's apparent cynicism about politics, and on the characteristics of 'critical viewing'. The article concludes with a call for media education as a crucial dimension of political education and contemporary citizenship.     

Learning to allow temporary failure: potential benefits,supportive practices and teacher concerns

The main problems faced by Russian education and consequently by trainers of school teachers are the question of values, along with finance and the legacy of Soviet power and of the Russian tradition. These problems are illustrated by the position in Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia. Methods of recruiting young teachers, their supply and the institutions in which they are trained are described, and a significant mismatch is discovered between training and the employment patterns of graduates. Deep-seated cultural attitudes towards the status of institutions, training methodology, curricula and workload are revealed which would inhibit the adoption of procedures common in W estern countries, even if that were thought desirable. A need for the considerable extension of joint activities, most of all extended work placements for teacher-trainers, is perceived; the aim of this would be to build up 'global' attitudes in Russia and extend Western understanding of the Russian tradition.     

Epistemic or Credal Standards for Teachers' Professional Learning and Educational Research - A Common Framework for Inquiry?

Three potential epistemic standards for teachers' professional learning are reviewed and criticised: foundationalist, Popperian, and decision-theoretic. Susan Haack's 'foundherentism' is outlined and proposed as supplying an adequate credal standard for the rigorous conduct of both teachers' professional learning and educational research. It is argued that foundherentism offers an alternative to radical relativism, which can also accommodate within a common framework, both the findings of rigorous research and the 'subjective', even 'tacit' beliefs of teachers. Sources of credal difference between teachers' professional learning and educational research, and what is involved in bringing these into a more rational and fruitful relation to each other, are finally considered.     

Bullying and the Postgraduate Secondary School Trainee Teacher: An English case study

This paper reports the findings of a study which investigated primary BEd student teachers' scientific backgrounds, attitudes towards science and towards teaching science, their confidence to teach science, and their scientific knowledge and understanding. The findings are discussed in relation to what primary teachers need to know in order to be able to teach science, and to our developing understanding of how science is perceived, experienced and understood by learners. The paper concludes with a discussion of the effectiveness of a pilot course developed to address the issues raised by the study. It is 'learner centred' and focused on the development of knowledge and understanding rather than process, and on factors likely to promote pupil (and student) understanding. The outcomes of the pilot work raise further substantive issues.     

Repeat missing child reports in Wales

BackgroundThere were approximately 306,000 reports of missing persons in the UK from 2012 to 2013, 64% involved children. Repeat missing incidents account for approximately 38% of reported missing incidences. Within their research Biehal et al. (2003) identified that 70% of missing children had voluntarily left their home and the majority of these were considered to have 'run away'. Research suggests that there is heavy demand on public services in responding to children that are regularly reported missing.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore data recorded in respect of children reported missing as a result of running away. The main objective of this study was to develop a set of risk factors to predict repeat missing incidences using a logistic regression method.Participants and settingThis study explored the characteristics of 523 children who were reported missing to Gwent (Wales) Police as a result of running away.MethodsUsing data collected by the Gwent Missing Children's Team in Wales, over a one-year period, this study compared two groups of children: 275 (53%) who were reported missing once ('low risk') and 248 (47%) who were reported more than once ('high risk').ResultsResults indicated that five significant risk factors identified by logistic regression could distinguish outcome in 73% of cases. The five risk factors were; looked after children, substance use, suspected sexual exploitation, known to Youth Offending Services and a history of abuse/neglect.ConclusionsThese risk factors could potentially be used in Gwent to guide intervention strategies, with those children identified as 'high risk' of repeat missing incidents requiring more comprehensive intervention and support.     

Degree Upgrades: A New Service,a New Market and a New Strategy for Higher Education

ABSTRACT

A proposed new educational service, the degree upgrade, is targeted toward a new market segment for higher education, graduates who are not seeking advanced degrees. The degree upgrade is accompanied by a new marketing strategy that attempts to build a continuing relationship with the new segment of graduates. Several advantages are achieved by the combined targeting strategy and the upgrade concept, (1) In combination, degree upgrades and the new targeting strategy aim at a sizable market segment that has not been effectively targeted in the past. (2) Economic benefits are strong because the service and strategy builds a continuous and increasing demand for educational services from a market segment that steadily increases in size. (3) The service and strategy redefines traditional concepts of “Lifelong Learning” and “Continuing Education” and suggests the upgrade concept creates more urgency among target market members. The purpose of this discussion is to initiate dialogue about the new service and strategy. Many questions are raised; some are unanswered.