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

Abstract

Purpose

The 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/approach

The 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.

Findings

The 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/value

This 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.

Citation

Chieng, F., Goi, C.L., Ho, J.M. and Yip, K.Y. (2024), "Beyond the academic curriculum: embedding a career management program to improve the employability of business students", Education + Training, Vol. 66 No. 4, pp. 379-394. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-01-2024-0009