Bachelor Graduates Research Articles

Curriculum approaches to strengthening student employability and improving graduate outcomes in the STM disciplines

ABSTRACT In Australia and elsewhere, curriculum improvements are needed to improve the development of Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) graduates for future work and careers. Several studies document significant STM student attrition, poor graduate preparedness for work, relatively weak employment rates post-graduation, and mismatched expectations of graduate capabilities by employers. The inclusion of work-integrated learning (WIL) activities within curricula can better prepare students for relevant employment by bridging discipline-specific teaching with work practices. Traditionally, access to WIL has been limited for STM Bachelor students and a better understanding of WIL’s benefits and impact is needed to refine and extend STM WIL curricula for different disciplines and cohorts. Through the lens of personal capital resources, this article reports on the perspectives of 34,000 recent Bachelor graduates of Australian STM degrees on their participation in WIL and its impact on their perceived employability and transition to work. Findings indicated differences in engagement in WIL across STM disciplines and underrepresented student groups, yet consistent benefits of WIL on preparedness for work and graduate employment. The study provides valuable insights on gaps in WIL provision and potential ways to improve WIL offerings that support the development of future-capable STM graduates with positive labour market experiences.

Career resources and securing quality work: graduate perspectives

ABSTRACT Empowering graduates to secure quality post-graduation employment is a key goal for higher education institutions and their students. University support in developing career resources may aid transition to work by enhancing social support and networks, fostering a strong sense of professional self, promoting career self-management, and instilling career confidence. Yet there lacks empirical understanding of these resources and the role they play, including how they interrelate, how they vary by personal characteristics, and how they are developed. This study examines how graduates fare in the labour market, characterises their career resources, and explores the relationship between career resources and graduate-level employment. These insights will contribute to theoretical understanding of building employability and inform effective employability programmes in higher education. The mixed-method approach encompasses an online survey of 324 bachelor graduates of Australian universities, followed by focus groups to further explore participants’ experiences. Employed graduates felt that their work did not align adequately with their degree-based knowledge and skills. Those with greater career confidence, social support, and career self-management experienced better outcomes, with these resources showing strong interconnections. Universities should consider a multi-faceted approach in developing employability, addressing multiple dimensions of career resources from the beginning of students’ degrees.

Development of a Motorcycle Parts Search Platform with a Design Thinking Approach

In the motorcycle industry, finding spare parts is a big challenge for vehicle owners. This is due to the complexity of the parts market as well as the diverse needs of users. To overcome this challenge, an innovative approach is needed in designing a parts search system that is not only effective but can also meet diverse needs. This research aims to apply the Design Thinking method in designing a motorcycle parts search and gain a deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by users, as well as create better solutions that are by these needs. This research applies a Design Thinking approach that involves a series of stages such as Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. Data was obtained through direct observation, interviews with related parties, and analysis of existing problems. The results of the study show that the majority of users are men (80%), with the dominance of entrepreneurs (43.3%) and Generation Y (76.7%). The app is also attractive to Bachelor's graduates (43.3%) and users with high needs (53.33%). Important factors that increase the app's benefits include a search feature by name and complete product details. The implementation of motorcycle parts search using Design Thinking is expected to help the company strengthen its brand image as a service provider that is responsive to user needs and increase customer loyalty through a better experience in the parts search process.

Local insights into industrial nature-based solutions: A comparative study between Northwest China and New Zealand

In the global pursuit of sustainable urban development, this study explored public support for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in urban industrial development, comparing Northwest China and New Zealand. Lanzhou residents exhibited a willingness to pay (WTP) USD 2.36 million for industrial NbS (INbS) and USD 3.18 million for Neighborhood NbS (NNbS), whereas Aucklanders' WTP was at USD 3.9 million and USD 9.8 million, respectively. The annual nonmarket values for Lanzhou's NNbS and INbS were 30.15 million and 6.65 million USD, and for Auckland, they were 80.14 million and 53.17 million USD, respectively. Aucklanders preferred housing near NbS areas, whereas Lanzhou residents chose locations close to workplaces, with age, gender, education, residency duration, and visit length significantly influencing NbS engagement. Middle-income and homeowner groups, especially middle-aged Lanzhou residents and Auckland bachelor graduates and employees, exhibited higher WTP for INbS and NNbS, with Lanzhou residents preferring WTP for stormwater wetlands of NNbS and Aucklanders favoring WTP for grass swales and permeable surfaces of INbS. Challenges in promoting INbS encompass costs and maintenance. Promoting INbS involves customized strategies for different demographics, legislative collaboration, pilot projects in disadvantaged areas, and aesthetic, demographic-specific designs. The public WTP for INbS underscores a preference for urban designs that are aesthetically pleasing, stress-reducing, and inclusive, reflecting wider societal goals.

Fitting in or standing out? The organisational socialisation of early career physical education specialism graduates through a micropolitical lens

The recent emergence of primary school generalist teachers with physical education (PE) expertise has addressed calls for some form of specialisation in primary PE provision in Ireland ( Marron et al., 2018 ). It was hoped that these teachers could advance the quality of PE taught within schools, through their own teaching and by supporting colleagues ( Ní Chróinín, 2018 ). Despite PE specialism graduates (PESGs) developing teaching orientations and high self-efficacy to teach PE during their professional socialisation, it is unclear how their skills are applied within schools. This study examined the organisational socialisation of PESGs through a micropolitical lens, drawing on the research of Kelchtermans and Ballet (2002a , 2002b ). Adopting a critical realist approach enabled us to explore teachers’ complex teaching realities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 graduates of the four-year Bachelor of Education with a major specialism in PE. Reflexive thematic analysis of interview data identified that PESGs had limited opportunities to apply their PE skills due to the conflicting custodial orientations of their schools. Due to PESGs’ professional interests, they were more likely to assimilate with the existing school culture as early career teachers, even if it overlooked their PE expertise. The outsourcing of PE provision to external coaches, and PESGs’ identity as novice teachers, also undermined their potential contribution as PE experts. Although some PESGs have positively used their knowledge to direct whole-school PE provision, more structured opportunities may be necessary to support the continued development of PESGs as teachers and leaders of PE.

THE EMPLOYMENT RATE AND EMPLOYABILITY STATUS OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN OFFICE ADMINISTRATION GRADUATES FROM ACADEMIC YEAR 2018 TO 2019: A TRACER STUDY

Tracer study is very important as a way of understanding the relevance and quality of programs offered by the higher education institutions as well as the labor market. Thus, the purpose of this quantitative study is to trace the graduates of the Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology (KCAST). Particularly, the study was conducted among 87 graduates of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA) in A.Y. 2018-2019. The researchers found out that majority of the course contents of their program are relevant to their career requirements. In terms of employability rate of the graduates, more than half of them got employed one to three months after the graduation. Most of them are single and 23 years of age. 43.6% of the respondents are currently working as full-time in their job. With the data gathered, the researchers concluded that through their competent communication and interpersonal skills, graduates were more likely to land on the jobs connected to the degree they have studied. Therefore, the researchers recommend that the institution, particularly the department, should hold various job fairs and extensive seminars, as well as training and lectures for the graduating office administration students which are designed based on the specific needs of the industry. KEYWORDS: Office Administration Graduates, employment, quantitative-descriptive method, tracer study, Philippines.

Student employability-building activities: participation and contribution to graduate outcomes

ABSTRACT Employability development has become a central concern of higher education, with many students attending university to enhance their employability and career development. Universities offer a range of curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular employability-building activities, including work-integrated learning, mentoring and career counselling. However, participation in these activities, barriers to engagement and their impact on employability are unclear. This paper examines student engagement in diverse employability-building activities, barriers impeding participation and their perspectives on how activities develop aspects of employability. The methodological approach encompassed an online survey of recent bachelor graduates (n = 324) from two Australian universities and focus groups to further explore participants’ experiences (n = 11). Findings showed relatively low participation rates in most activities, with the greatest engagement in external paid employment and work-related activities (e.g., internship). These activities were also perceived as the most useful for developing a sense of professional self, networks and securing work. Barriers to participation included work/study commitments, financial/health pressures and lack of confidence and awareness, somewhat varying by graduates’ background characteristics. Benefits from activities varied by their type, along with students’ personal characteristics. Findings highlight the importance of embedding employability-building activities in the curriculum and signal potential ways to increase engagement in diverse cohorts.

Analisis Korelasi antara Tingkat Pendidikan Orang Tua dan Kelancaran Hafalan Juz ‘Amma

This article proves the correlation between parental education level and the ability to memorize juz 'amma fluency in Al-Mustaghfiroh Jombang Kindergarten students. This research was conducted on students in early childhood education, namely at Kindergarten B Al-Mustaghfiroh Jombang. The method in this research was carried out through a quantitative approach using documentation studies. The data previously obtained was processed using descriptive analysis, percentage formulas, standard deviations and Contingency Coefficient Correlation analysis. In this case, the research results show that this research is very suitable for identifying students' learning processes, including relationships that influence the learning process or students' memory during their golden age. Second, the educational level of the parents of Al-Mustaghfiroh Kindergarten students, which is in the high category, is 25% or as many as 5 people who are Bachelor graduates; the medium category is 70%, or as many as 14 people who are high school graduates and finally the low category is only 1 person or as much as 5% are elementary school graduates. Al-Mustaghfiroh Kindergarten students' ability to memorize fluency was included in the high category with a score of > 70.00 for as many as 7 people, 11 people in the medium category got a score of 60.00 - 69.00 and only 2 people in the low category with a score of < 59.00. From this, it can be seen that there is a positive and significant correlation between the level of parental education and the fluent memorization ability of Al-Mustaghfiroh Kindergarten students at a significance level of 5% or ?=0.05 with ?_0 > ?_tabel / 0.74998 > 0.444 so reject H_0 and H_a accepted. and vice versa, namely 25.002% influenced by other factors.

A Tracer Study of the 2019 Graduates of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

The success of any school in achieving its basic purposes is determined by the adequacy and quality, and relevance of the educational programs it provides. The objective of this study was to determine the status of employment of the respondents; the length of time in looking for a job; their reason/s for the delay of employment or unemployment; the factors that facilitated in getting a job; and the level of their assessment on the quality and relevance of the education they obtained at ISU Ilagan Campus. Most of the traced BS in Industrial Technology graduates batch 2019 started and completed their schooling within the prescribed period to finish the degree. However, some of them may have started out late or lagged behind their studies as indicated by the presence of significant number of respondents within the age range over the prescribed period of their course. Most of them were female and are still single. Most of them were took professional subjects for education and some of them were already LET passers.

Problematization of the Sudanese Engineering Education

The purpose of engineering education is to prepare engineering graduates for employment as professional engineers in various industries. However, a small portion of the engineering graduates may seek other options, like research and/or graduate studies. Well-trained engineering graduates is essential for development of any country. Nevertheless, Sudan, like most of Sub Saharan African countries, has been facing profound engineering education issues; of them are: poor funding, outdated curricula, ineffective teaching and learning methods, inadequate human capacity, poor research/publishing condition, inappropriate facilities, inadequate educational technology and ICT environment, weak university/industry relationship, lack of academic freedom, imbalance between diploma and bachelor graduates from engineering college, and missing of quality control and accreditation measures. All of these issues led to low number of well-trained engineering graduates; hence, the country’s development has been exceedingly suppressed. Any efforts to improve engineering education in Sudan should start with addressing those inadequate elements of engineering education. This paper discussed the current engineering education issues and concluded with recommendations that might help resolve them.

Divergent Employment Prospects for Graduates of Bachelor's in Corporate Administration and Bachelor of Administrative Science Programs: Narrative Reviews

This study investigates graduate employability issues in Malaysia, focusing on graduates from UiTM Seremban. With a sample size of 2,001 Bachelor of Administration (BAS) and 960 Bachelor in Corporate Administration (BCA) graduates, it aims to understand the challenges and opportunities they face in the job market. The research employed a narrative review method and crafted questionnaires for the study. It also involved a bibliometric analysis search using keywords like 'employment,' 'job,' and 'work' within subject categories such as Social Sciences and Business. Overall, this research offers a comprehensive narrative overview exploring the factors impacting variations in job opportunities among BAS and BCA graduates. Moving forward, it is recommended to explore how universities can promote responsible civic engagement and develop effective advocacy skills among students. Additionally, conducting comparative analyses between BAS and BCA could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of different educational approaches in enhancing graduate employability.

Pelatihan Pembuatan Media Pembelajaran Interaktif Dengan Menggunakan Aplikasi Nearpod Bagi Guru Sekolah Dasar Di Gugus 8 Kecamatan Blimbing Kota Malang

Blimbing District, Malang City consists of 12 sub-districts. Each subdistrict has an average of 2 elementary schools and 2 elementary schools with an average of 13 teachers in each elementary school and 1 elementary school principal. The average number of students in each elementary school is between 180-200 students. Almost all of the elementary school institutions in Blimbing District, Malang City, have the status of State Elementary Schools. The curriculum or learning used in elementary schools uses the 2013 curriculum. ICT facilities in elementary schools in Cluster 8, Blimbing District, Malang City are quite adequate. The education level of elementary school teachers in Cluster 8, Blimbing District, Malang City varies, many of them are PGSD Bachelor's graduates, some even have Master's degrees in Elementary Education. From the results of short interviews with several elementary school teachers in Cluster 8, Blimbing District, Malang City, it shows that teachers generally experience difficulties in creating teaching materials in the form of Interactive Learning Media. Through the community service program, it is hoped that elementary school teachers in Cluster 8, Blimbing District, Malang City will have (1) knowledge about digital teaching materials based on Interactive Learning Media, (2) skills in developing Interactive Learning Media teaching materials using the Nearpod application, (3) skilled abilities to practice (use) Interactive Learning Media teaching materials in online learning.

ОПЫТ РАЗВИТИЯ МАГИСТРАТУРЫ В СФЕРЕ АВТОМОБИЛЬНОГО ТРАНСПОРТА

The article is devoted to the issue of improving the training of undergraduates at the department of “Technical operation and repair of automobiles” of Volgograd State Technical University. An analysis of the current situation with master's training is provided, and the main problematic issues are highlighted. The main factors determining the prestige of entering a master's program are considered, and a comparison is made with the general trends in the development of higher education in Russia in recent years. The directions for improving master's training at a regional university are considered. The experience of developing a new educational program dedicated to technical expertise in transport is presented. The development of the program was carried out in close cooperation with employers, which were both direct expert offices and car service companies that also carry out examination of vehicle elements. During the development of the program, partial continuity was maintained with the master’s program “Technical Operation of Automobiles,” previously implemented at the department, which simplified the transition process and also expanded the scope of professional activities of graduates. Organizational issues related to the implementation of the educational program are examined in detail, using the resources of several departments of the university and specialized enterprises, as well as with the involvement of bachelor's graduates in training at the master's level.

The Effect of Foreign Investment, Employment Rates, and Total Population on Educated Unemployment in Indonesia

Unemployment has significant economic and social impacts, especially educated unemployment. The increase in the number of educated unemployed is a major problem. As of February 2022, BPS RI data indicates 8.4 million people or 5.83% of the workforce are unemployed. Educated unemployment, such as High School, Diploma, and Bachelor graduates, has the potential to support economic growth which is unfortunate if it is not handled properly. As of February 2022, according to data from the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics, the total number of educated unemployed in Indonesia has reached 62.4% of the total number of unemployed in Indonesia. The projection of the demographic bonus in Indonesia, Cipta Kerja Law which has the aim of overcoming employment problems by supporting foreign investment and creating jobs through ease of licensing and the fluaction of employment rates which are influenced by economic growth is the background of this research. This study analyzes the effect of foreign investment (FDI), employment rates, and total population on educated unemployment in Indonesia. The method used is the quantitative method and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS 25. The results show that the employment rates and population have significant effect on educated unemployment while foreign investment (FDI) does not have significant effect in this study. Encouraging the quality of foreign investment remains an important role. The government should prioritize policies that support investment in potential sectors to create jobs for educated graduates. Managing population growth is also important in order to prevent increases in educated unemployment.

Graduates of Bachelor in Performing Arts: Careers and Career Choices

Graduates of Bachelor in Performing Arts: Careers and Career Choices

A Tracer Study of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management Graduates of AIMS Batch 2015–2020

In the recent findings of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), “the four-year collegiate programs of Business Administration, Information Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management and Electronics Engineering indicated a mismatch with the industry requirements (Flores, 2013). Taking this into consideration, CHED further integrated in their “Strategic Plan for 2011 – 2016” some programs, activities, and projects that would address the mismatch while the CHED Strategic Plan for 2017-2022 (2017) aims to produce higher education graduates who are competent and well-rounded global citizens who possess the intrapersonal, interpersonal, social and cognitive competencies and attributes necessary to lead, excel and compete in the 21st century. The above endeavors coincided with the study’s objective to trace the present employment status of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) graduates of the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) from school year 2015 to 2020. Descriptive-survey method was used in determining the personal and employment profiles of the HRM graduates, the rate of contribution of the AIMS-BSHRM program, and the concerns and other considerations on their current job. Sixty-two (62) graduates of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management of Asian Institute of Maritime Studies who graduated from school year 2015 to 2020 have responded to the tracer questionnaire. To analyze the data, frequency count, percentage, and weighted mean were used. Results revealed that majority of the respondents were able to successfully find a job in less than a year. However, because of family concerns, lack of connection, health concerns and even lack of work experience, the HRM graduates landed in a job that is not related to their program of study. Some have decided to put up their own businesses while some decided to work in the BPO industry and have been there for a few years already. Though the respondents are satisfied on their present employment, most of them are still planning to change careers and shift a job related to their program. On the other hand, the top three (3) skills that AIMS helped develop among the graduates are: a) Human Relation Skills (82.26%); b) Communication Skills (74.19%); c) Initiative (53.23%) while the top three values acquired and developed from studying at AIMS are: a) Integrity (82.26%); b) Achievement (77.42%); and c) Respect for Others (75.81%). On the other hand, the competencies/skills they recommend AIMS to develop include: a) Strategy and Innovation (87.10%); b) Teamwork (79.03%); and c) Human Relation Skills (51.61%). Based on the results, it is recommended that the administrators and curriculum developers of the BSHM program of AIMS to revisit the current curriculum and syllabi used in major courses and make sure that there are topics and activities that will help enhance and develop the students’ creativity, strategy and innovation. It also recommended that the HM Department of AIMS continue to organize events that will give students additional knowledge and experience that will enhance their interpersonal and human relation skills.

Tingkat Kepuasan Peternak Terhadap Program Pelatihan Budidaya Lebah Madu di Sentra Peternakan Lebah Madu Flora Nauli Kabupaten Simalungun

The purpose of this study was to determine the profile of respondents, the implementation of the Honey Bee Cultivation Training program and the level of farmer satisfaction with the Honey Bee Cultivation Training program. The samples used were 30 breeder samples and data collected by using. Data analysis uses the Index Performance Analysis (IPA) and Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) methods. The results of this include the characteristics of respondents who took part in the training, the majority of people of productive age were breeders aged 41-50 years as much as 37%. In terms of gender, the majority is male, 83%, which is because the breeders who take part in the Honey Bee Training program are not only from Simalungun Regency, but several breeders come from outside the city of Simalungun Regency. At the educational level, it was found that Bachelor graduates dominated the number by 60%. This is also related to the respondents' farming experience, several respondents who have more than 30 years of farming experience have high creativity and innovation in making stups or bee boxes using cement to prevent theft of beehives. Based on the calculation of the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), the performance or service value provided by officers of the Flora Nauli Center Honey Bee Cultivation Training program in Simalungun Regency was 73,15. The CSI Value Criteria explains that the value of 73,15 is in the "Satisfied" criteria.

HR-branding as a strategy for attracting student audience

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of using the tools of employer brand promotion among the youth audience on the example of students and graduates of the economic specialty.Tasks. To analyze the information about the events held with the participation of company representatives at the Faculty of Economics of the Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) with the help of the Employment Assistance Service of the Faculty of Economics, based on the data on the formats and number of such events.Methods. The study applied general logical methods of cognition: dialectical, systemic, logical and comparative analysis; sociological methods, including surveys.Results. Recent events such as the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the withdrawal of foreign companies from Russia have significantly affected the structure of the labor market and, consequently, the employment of students and graduates. Using the 2019-2023 graduate employment data collected upon graduation, the top employing companies for graduates of bachelor’s or master’s degree programs of the MSU Economics Department were compiled. As a result of analyzing the activities of the Department of Employment Promotion and Alumni Relations, as well as student units, the key forms of employer brand promotion at the Faculty of Economics were identified: academic and extracurricular events with the participation of representatives of partner companies and Career Day.Conclusions. It is proved that active promotion of the employer brand has a direct positive impact on the employment of young people in these companies. The most effective was the organization of educational and extracurricular activities during the year. Career days had less impact, which is explained by the dominant number of internships and practicums offered at such events, while graduates by the time of the survey are already trying to find a permanent job. In this regard, there are prospects for extending the study to include more junior students.

The Contribution of Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) on the Development of Employability Skills of Undergraduate Students in Indonesia

Indonesia has the second highest youth unemployment rate among all ten ASEAN countries according to The World Bank Data in 2021, with 12% of the total unemployment rate dominated by bachelor graduates. One of the reasons behind youth unemployment in Indonesia is the mismatch between the skills possessed by university students and the labor market skills demand, referred to as the "skill gap." Experts believe that such a high number of youth unemployment is often linked to the failure of educational institutions to develop graduates with employability skills. Moreover, the skills gap is also associated with globalization in the 21st century, followed by new government regulations that ease hiring foreign workers in Indonesia. In this era, Indonesian graduates have to compete with employees from foreign countries, thus making international and multicultural knowledge desired by companies. To tackle these challenges posed by globalization and the quality of education, many higher education and government institutions are implementing one of the most prominent forms of internalization, international student mobility programs, hoping to prepare bachelor graduates to be more competitive internationally. In 2021, the Indonesian government displayed its effort to prepare Indonesian graduates to possess valuable workplace skills in the 21st century through funded international student mobility, namely IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards). However, despite the enormous efforts of implementing the program, there are still many contra-arguments from higher education institutions and Indonesian society regarding the contribution of IISMA in developing the employability skills of undergraduate students. This study is aimed to identify the contribution of IISMA di developing the employability skills of undergraduate students in Indonesia and to see whether it has a difference with the development of employability skills in regular Indonesian undergraduate programs. This study used a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with the interviewees from Universitas Indonesia, Institut Teknologi Bandung, and Universitas Gadjah Mada, who completed an IISMA program in 2021 and 2022. The study discovered that most employability skills desired by companies are mainly developed during the IISMA program compared to an undergraduate program in Indonesia.

PELATIHAN SPEAKING DAN LITERASI HUKUM KOMUNIKASI DI SMA NEGERI 27 BATAM

In the world of work, many company need high school or bachelor graduates who have soft and hard skills. One of supporting soft skill needed in work world is the ability to communication. For this reason, students in school are expected to be able to understand communication literacy. Many are proficient in English but sometimes lack direction and lack knowledge of communication literacy. On this occasion, Putera Batam University lecturers conducted training activity for Students in high school on Profession English Proficiency and Communication Law Literacy especially at SMA Negeri 27 Batam. Lecturers who provide coaching and training are lecturers who are experts in their fields; they are from English Literature and Law program. The training provided is oriented towards improving language speaking skills and communication legal literacy using the communication practice method. The results of this training show that students are able to demonstrate their communication skills by 1) appearing in front of the class practicing their language skills 2) Understanding about communication literacy is shown by active participation of students in discussions 3) evaluating by holding practice followed by discussion.