Future Employment Research Articles

Schemas, rounding, and comparison, oh my!: Supporting students with money word problems

AbstractPurchasing skills are important for students with disabilities, including those with support needs, to access their community and future employment opportunities independently. However, making purchasing and money decisions can involve a variety of mathematics skills like rounding, estimation, and price comparison. Schematic diagrams and schema‐based instruction are researcher‐supported interventions used to support students with disabilities in solving word problems related to purchasing and other money related skills. Researchers in this study explored the use of schematic instruction for teaching rounding, estimating, and number comparison skills to aid students in making purchasing decisions. Two of the three students in the study met the mastery criteria of 100% independence for two consecutive sessions; the third did not. The two students who met mastery criteria also successfully generalized the skills to a simulated shopping experience. Overall, the results suggest the value of schematic diagram but also indicate the need to provide more supports and scaffolds to support some students with disabilities in solving multi‐step word problems.

A Qualitative Exploration of Chinese Rural College Students’ Career Development: A Psychology of Working Perspective

Rural college youth encounter numerous challenges in securing decent education and work. However, there has been scant research on their career development from a vocational psychology perspective. Drawing from the Psychology of Working Theory (PWT), we examined the contextual and personal factors that shape their work volition and perceptions of future decent work. We conducted semistructural interviews with 12 Chinese rural college students and employed Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) method to analyze the data. Our findings revealed that their vocational barriers included economic constraints, inadequate educational resources, limited access to decent internship opportunities, and lack of study-related electronics. However, their coping stratgies to overcome these constraints included social support, notably from teachers, as well as positive attributes such as critical consciousness and proactive personality. Regarding future employment, participants valued job stability, a balance between work and life, the ability to provide for their families, and displayed prosocial and growth orientations. These findings provided support for the applicability of PWT in understanding the vocational trajectories of rural college students in a non-Western context. The implications of these findings for future research and vocational interventions are discussed.

A Combined Interventional Approach to Train Interview Skills in Autistic Transition-Age Youth.

The job interview can be challenging for autistic adolescents considering the required social communication skills. Further, having decreased awareness of personal strengths may make it difficult to advocate for oneself to a future employer. The purpose of the current pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of a combined interventional approach using: the Virtual Interview Tool for Autistic Transition-Age Youth (VIT-TAY) and Kessler Foundation Strength Identification and Expression (KF-STRIDE). Twenty autistic transition-age youth (TAY) were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group (n = 10) that received 9h of VIT-TAY (interviewing practice with a virtual human), and three lessons of KF-STRIDE (positive psychology intervention to learn and discuss one's personal character strengths) and a services-as-usual (SAU) group (n = 10). The primary outcome was measured using a video-recorded mock job interview performed at pre- and post-test, which was rated by blinded assessors. Secondary outcomes included self-reports of job interview skill, interview anxiety, work readiness and recent job search behavior. Paired samples t-tests revealed significant differences between pre- and post-test in the intervention group (but not the control group) on the mock interview total score (p = 0.02, d = 0.76) and self-reported job interview skills total score (p = 0.02, d = 0.75). The intervention group (but not the control group) had improvements in work-readiness (p = 0.06, d = 0.53) and job search behavior (p = 0.07, d = 0.52) that were characterized by medium effect sizes. This pilot study suggests that combining VIT-TAY with KF-STRIDE leads to improvements in performance-based and self-reported job interview skills.

A STUDY ON THE PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TOWARDS PERSONAL SELLING AS A CAREER

This study pursues as in depth and empirical exploration of student attitudes and perceptions of Future employment in sales at higher education institutes through regression analysis using multiple variables. Through the combination of attributes that defines successful sales professionals. Example: communication intellect, Emotional Intelligence, resilience and strategic perspective; the research intends to uncover multitude of factors of career that are behind the students, view of selling as an attractive career choice. We critically analyzed the empirical data of cross-sectional study of the students with varied backgrounds to explain the complex relationship between personal traits societal influences and career choices. This study serves several key actors including students, recruiters and industry stakeholders. The study’s results are envisaged to contribute to the Development of tailored programs and activities, which should lead to a more advanced imagination of the sales profession as a career choice and improved personnel recruitment and retention within sales industry.

Volunteering for a Job: Creativity and Tanzanian Youth

This paper explores motivations behind voluntary activities of youth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during an increasingly common period of ‘waithood,’ characterized by prolonged status as youth and delay in adulthood due to challenges with unemployment. Drawing on ethnographic anthropological fieldwork conducted in 2019, this paper uses stories of two youths from two youth-led organizations located in Dar es Salaam to explore differing motivations for engaging in volunteering. These examples illustrate how volunteering either acts as a stepping-stone to future employment or as a replacement for formal employment, dependent on class identity. It is argued that for Tanzanian youths, volunteering is a creative response to the challenges of waithood. This paper suggests that policymakers and civil society organizations addressing youth issues in Tanzania should recognize the diverse motivations and creative and strategic dimensions of volunteering to better support young people in navigating waithood and their futures.

Human Capital at the Regional Level: Population Forecast Insights into Latvia from a Long-Term Perspective

To remain prosperous and competitive, modern regions must meet the challenge of becoming smart and sustainable, and human capital has a key role in this context. Depopulation increases risks of human capital availability and emigration is a primary reason. Regions that are experiencing a decreased population must develop strategic sustainable regional development policies that consider scientifically based population forecasts. The youth population characterises regional potential for long-term human capital availability. First, children represent a region’s future employees and entrepreneurs. Second, children require availability of educational services at regional level, which promotes regional vitality. Third, the youth population indirectly demonstrates a region’s socio-economic attractiveness for living and working. This study employs the system dynamic method to forecast different population change scenarios at the regional level in Latvia. The results reveal a declining, long-term population tendency for working age and youth populations in Latvian regions. Overall, Latvian regions will remain extremely homogeneous in the long term, with minor differences in the short term. In conclusion, despite regional disparities in terms of quality of life with some leading examples, all regions will experience high emigration loss. Regional social, economic and environmental characteristics demonstrate a need to assess population change trends in a complex manner. This study provides data for understanding short- and long-term perspectives that must be addressed through sustainable regional development policies. Received: 27 October 2023 / Accepted: 24 March 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES BASED ON THE ENGINEERING STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is garnering significant attention and anticipation for its contribution to the teaching and learning process at the Polytechnic of Road Transportation Safety in Indonesia. Consequently, this study offers valuable insights into the perceptions of cadets at a vocational college regarding the significance of the ESP course within the transportation engineering program. Specifically, this paper aims to explore the cadets' perspective on the role of ESP in their future careers. By conducting a qualitative descriptive study, four types of questionnaires were administered to a total of ninety second-year cadets who are pursuing a major in transport engineering. The findings reveal that the cadets/students recognize the importance of ESP as a crucial subject that supports their future employment prospects. Moreover, they acknowledge the appropriate allocation of time to ESP within their curriculum, recognizing its necessity for their academic success and eventual career advancement. Understanding the importance of ESP is crucial for cadets aspiring to work in the industry. Cadets must have a strong motivation to learn and familiarize themselves with core engineering concepts in order to establish themselves as competitive engineers on a global scale.

Rural Residency Rotations Effect on Future Emergency Physician Employment, Perspective From an Academic Emergency Medicine Residency 2007-2022

Rural Residency Rotations Effect on Future Emergency Physician Employment, Perspective From an Academic Emergency Medicine Residency 2007-2022

The threshold of rural placement frequency and duration: A repeated cross-sectional study examining rural career aspirations among student nurses

AimThis study aimed to explore what changes rural placement had on the perceptions of nursing students and the impact of placement frequency and duration on student considerations for rural practice. BackgroundA strong rural healthcare workforce is a global concern and has led countries to look for creative ways to address this challenge. One approach is to train more health professionals, however, nursing students who grew up or lived in metropolitan or urbanised areas are suggested to be less inclined to pursue a rural career. As such it is posited that recurrent exposure to rural settings may exert a positive impact on future intention for rural practice. However, there is a need to explore the specific thresholds related to both the frequency and duration of rural placement exposure, as well as the cumulative impact multiple rural placements may have on the intention to engage in rural practice. DesignA repeated cross-sectional design. MethodsAll nursing students from an Australian regional university were invited to complete an online questionnaire between 2019 and 2023. Demographic and placement specific questions were included. A modified version of the Nursing Community Apgar tool also measured the importance of key variables in rural career decision-making. Data were analysed using independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVAs. Significance was determined at two-tailed p≤.05. ResultsAmong the 835 respondents (response rate 15.4%), the average number and duration of rural placements was 2.45 placements and 3.01 weeks respectively. Rural placements did not have an impact on students who resided rurally or regionally. However, among metropolitan students who had experienced more than three rural placements, or more than sixteen cumulative weeks of placement, were significantly more likely to consider rural employment. Greater number of rural placements and longer cumulative duration had the greatest impact. ConclusionIssues related to the nursing rural workforce are dynamic and complex. Understanding the unique drivers that improve the rural experiences among students, particularly metropolitan students, can have an impact on decision-making to pursue employment in rural environments. Importantly, whilst professional and clinical motivation and experiences are influential factors, the socialisation, environment and community features are essential elements that influence students’ decisions to pursue a career in rural practice. Undertaking a nuanced approach that facilitates rural practice understanding among students may help shape future employment decision-making.

A Future of Hope and Dread: How K-12 Pre-service Language Teachers are Situating Their Identities within Modern Japanese Value and Belief Systems

The current study is located among the body of language teacher identity research by focusing on the identities of pre-service language teachers in Japan. This study looks at how pre-service language teacher identities are situated among Japanese values and belief systems and investigates how participants are coping with disrupted language teacher identities as they are preparing to embark on teaching careers. Three pre-service teachers took part in this study, and data originated from narrative frames and semi-structured interviews. These participants are preparing for future employment as K-12 English teachers in Japan. Drawing upon grounded theory and Gross’ (2015) process model of emotional regulation, findings illustrate the conflicted manner in which preservice teachers are constructing their nascent language teacher identities against the backdrop of Japanese values and belief systems and the realities of teaching in Japan. In this context, the participants are approaching their future careers with deeply held emotions of both hope and dread, complicating the development of empowered language teacher identities. Additionally, this study found that the participants were able to employ Gross’ (2015) emotional regulation strategies to varying degrees of success. This article concludes with implications for pre-service teachers and pre-service teacher training programs in Japan and abroad.

Do Graduates Demonstrate Soft Skills? Perspectives from Service Companies in Malaysia

The Malaysian service sector is pivotal in the country's economy, contributing more than half of the GDP and employing over 60% of the workforce. Despite the pressing need for talent development, a noticeable gap exists due to the absence of a comprehensive framework for identifying and nurturing soft skills. In the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), soft skills become increasingly crucial, complementing technological advancements, automation, and digital transformation by serving as human-centric attributes that enhance the effectiveness of these technologies. The soft skills outlined by the Ministry of Higher Education are generic, with universal applicability rather than being specific to a particular profession or field. This study aims to identify the soft skills required by the service industry, explore the soft skills offered by the industry, and assess the soft skills possessed by graduates according to employers. The study samples include employers from service companies sourced from the Federation of Manufacturing Malaysia Directory. A questionnaire, available online as a Google Form for a month, is employed for data collection. Using SPSS version 25.0, descriptive and inferential analyses are conducted on the gathered data. The results of the inferential analysis indicate a significant positive correlation between the importance of soft skills in organisations and the soft skills attainable within those organisations (ρ: .590). Additionally, a strong connection is identified between graduates' soft skills and the perceived importance of soft skills in organisations (ρ: .493). The graduates' soft skills also demonstrate a substantial association with the soft skills acquired at the organisations (ρ: .604). In conclusion, the research underscores that organisations tailor learning opportunities to meet the specific needs of their employees. This investigation, focusing on the essential soft skills crucial for employment in the services industry, holds significance in advocating for increased collaboration between educational institutions and industries. The aim is to provide students with practical experiences essential for their future employment in alignment with the demands of the evolving job landscape.

Understanding Chinese international students’ language ideologies and multilingual practices in English-medium instruction programs in Germany

Analysed through the lens of language ideology, this qualitative study delved into the multilingual experiences of Chinese international students in English-medium instruction (EMI) studies in Germany. Drawing on semi-structured interview data from 16 Chinese postgraduate students in an international university, this study probed into these students’ language ideologies related to English, German, and Mandarin Chinese. Data analysis showed that their language ideologies were complex and intertwined with academic success, social integration, future employment, solidarity within ethnic groups, and widening local networks. It was also found that the participants’ multiple while often conflicting language ideologies were pivotal in shaping their investment in and usage of particular languages. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the diversity inherent in international students’ language ideologies in EMI and have significant implications for the internationalisation of multilingual environments in higher education (HE).

Integration of AI into the Distance Learning Environment: Enhancing Soft Skills

Soft skills have become increasingly essential for success in the modern world, especially in the labor market, where employers value employees’ social and communication skills. Online education, which is an integral part of the educational process in Ukraine, is adjusting to the development of students’ soft skills. Integrating artificial intelligence tools into English language learning is becoming a new direction in soft skills development. This approach opens up new teaching strategies that make learning more effective, engaging, and innovative. While learning English, students develop communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills, which contribute to their educational process and prepare the foundation for employment. The study aims to 1) evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence on the development of students’ soft skills in online learning; 2) identify the most essential soft skills for their effective learning and future employment based on a student survey; 3) develop criteria for an online course using artificial intelligence and outline strategies for integrating the ChatGPT tool into distance learning English classes. To achieve the objectives of our study, we developed and processed a questionnaire, collected quantitative data, and analyzed and interpreted qualitative data; the study sample included 304 students. The questionnaire results showed a generally positive attitude of students towards using artificial intelligence in English for Specific Purposes courses. They opened up prospects for introducing an online course in the English for Specific Purposes program and further research, including an experiment with the introduction of this online course.

Japanese investment for skills development program in attaining sustainable employability: The case of Bangladesh

Bangladesh lacks many trained workers. The existing technical training curriculums are not advanced enough to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target for human capital development. Therefore, it is a time demand to address the need for skilled human resources. Japan prioritizes Bangladesh's skills development sector to assist the nation in achieving SDGs and importing skilled labor forces into Japan's already declined labor market. This research focuses on the prospects and challenges of Japanese investments in skills development projects in Bangladesh. To this end, this research adopts a need-based approach to prepare a uniform framework for skills development in Bangladesh and finds several challenges in the process of skills development programs that influence the development partners. This study employs a mixed-method research approach. This study finds that the trainees consider the skills development programs significant for their future careers and sustainable employability, although they face various challenges, such as a lack of qualified instructors and training programs and lack of training equipment apart from their lower socio-economic backgrounds. This study especially highlights the significance of Japanese investment in skills development programs in Bangladesh to meet human capital development requirements and develop a framework for sustainable accomplishment of those programs to achieve the SDGs. Finally, this research makes some policy recommendations for relevant stakeholders, including development partners engaged in skills development programs in Bangladesh.

Utility value of improving writing skills for adult basic education students

AbstractMotivational research identifies utility value, or the importance of a learning task to future goals, as central to motivation to learn. This study analyzed survey data (N = 86) collected from adult literacy learners to examine their utility value of writing improvement in grammar and spelling skills, word processing skills, and planning, drafting, and revising skills. Findings revealed that participants had a high utility value of improving writing in all three skill areas and possessed a variety of underlying motivations, including obtaining further education, seeking future employment, and personal reasons. Participants' age, educational attainment, and reading levels showed relationships with utility value of improving grammar and spelling skills, and age showed an additional relationship to utility value of improving word processing skills. This work extends research on motivation in this population and supports the application of expectancy‐value theory to both adult motivation and writing motivation.

"Not my Priority:" Ethics and the Boundaries of Computer Science Identities in Undergraduate CS Education

Researchers in the CSCW community have long problematized the separation of social and ethical considerations from design work. Despite increasing attention to tech ethics and ethics education, however, computer scientists' sense of ethical responsibility remains of concern. This paper offers insights on how this boundary between tech and ethics is maintained and reinforced for students as they develop their identities as computer scientists. Drawing on interviews with eight undergraduate computer science (CS) students at McGill University, we explore the role that ethics play in the legitimate peripheral participation of students inside and outside their formal education. We found that while individual opinions on the importance of ethics varied, students agreed that ethics are not valued or rewarded in their education, extracurriculars, or future work prospects. We describe how placing ethics outside the boundary of computing acts as a form of occupational closure, excluding both important multidisciplinary work and marginalized bodies. We argue that in order to promote ethical practice in the design of CSCW systems, we must make it in the interest of future designers to learn socially grounded ethics. This requires that designers, researchers, and future employers actively reshape the boundaries of computing by asserting social and ethical considerations as values of computing and design.

Enhancing academic performance: investigating the nexus between digital leadership and the role of digital culture

Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between digital leadership and academic performance. It models the digitalization process, outlining why and how digital leadership is important for better academic performance. At the same time, this study examines the role of digital culture as a moderating variable in the direct relationship between main variables of the study. The study aims to expand the domain of academic performance at the university by including a much recent leadership-related aspect and organizational context of the digital culture. Design/methodology/approach The study opted for a descriptive study, using the survey instruments to collect the data. The sample population consisted of students currently enrolled at the Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia. Based on the convenience sampling, 383 samples were drawn from the sample population. All items were adopted from previous literature, and expert feedback was obtained to examine the validity of the instruments. The data were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS version 3.0. Findings This study provides empirical insights about how digital leadership is important for academic performance for the new millennials. Also, digital culture is found to provide significant moderation effect into the relationship. It suggests that universities must promote digitalization culture and embed the use of technology and digitalization into teaching and learning to cultivate a more effective learning process among university students. This is important as elements of digital leadership, including adaptive role, attitude, digital competency, digital skill and inspirational role, are found to significantly contribute to academic performance. Research limitations/implications This study only focuses on samples taken from one of the faculties in one campus, thus limiting its scope. Future research is encouraged to replicate the same study setting to include larger sample size from different faculties, or perhaps from different universities. These propositions could help to better generalize the research findings on the practice of digital leadership on academic performance in the country. However, this study established a digital leadership model that can be applied to undergraduate students at the universities. Also, the inclusion of digital culture can strengthen the learning process. Practical implications This study includes implications for the development of digital leadership attributes and promoting digital culture within the university students and environment for engaging in a better academic performance. Digital leadership is found to be an important criterion of academic performance in this digital age society, and cultivating digital culture enhances students’ academic performance. These findings shall prompt the university to actively engage in fostering digitalization culture within the university. Also, the top management of the university should inform the students to be adaptive and cultivate the attributes of digital leaders, as their readiness to cope with the technological change has significant positive impact on their academic performance. Social implications It is important to ensure that the future graduates that are being produced are ready to take on more challenges as digital leaders in the digital society. This might accelerate the country’s initiatives and efforts towards becoming a developed nation. Thus, investing in oneself to become digitally literate and competent might not only influence their academic performance, but they will also be equipped to fulfil one of the expectations of future employers of potential graduates, which is possessing digital leadership. Originality/value Digitalization is not only about the technology. It is about the people too. As the study on digital leadership is still in its infant stage, this study is unique as it is among the earliest to establish digital leadership constructs within the context of Malaysia. It informs the university that digital leadership provides significant contribution to academic performance. Thus, the university is encouraged to nurture digitalization, not only in the teaching and learning but also with the people within the university environment. Determining the right programs and plans for the curricular will help students to develop digital leadership attributes more effectively. Finally, improving digitalization among its students and culture is important, as these elements provide significant effect towards academic performance.

Retaliation in the Modern Workplace and Federal Laws in the United States of America: Cases and Reflections About the Undermining of Employees’ Legal Rights

Employees have the right to assert their federally-protected rights against their employers when they believe a violation of those rights has occurred. However, workplace retaliation poses challenges for employers reporting illegal or discriminatory acts. This study examines federal and common law to better identify the concept of retaliation and the legal protections against it. The cases analyzed in this study are Thompson v. North American Stainless, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company v. White, Bragg v. Munster Medical Research Foundation, Inc., and Hutchinson v. City of Oklahoma City. These cases highlight instances of retaliation against employees exercising their legal rights, showcase circumstances where employees won, and look at affirmative defenses employers can raise. The goal is to deepen understanding around retaliation and the current laws surrounding it. Recommendations and possible remedies for workplace retaliation will be discussed in the latter part of the analysis to better understand the options available to future employees and employers regarding this issue.

Developing professional digital competence in Norwegian teacher education: a scoping review

The widespread use of educational technology in schools compels teachers to seamlessly integrate technology while developing students’ digital competence. As educational technology continually evolves, digital competence becomes a dynamic target. Thus, teacher education must effectively prepare student teachers to teach effectively with technology. Researchers are increasingly examining the concept of teachers’ digital competence and how teacher education supports student teachers’ acquisition of digital skills for future employability. In Nordic countries like Norway, the term Professional Digital Competence (PDC) frames a teacher’s essential knowledge for using digital technology in teaching and learning. Despite this focus, there’s limited understanding of how Norwegian teacher education fosters PDC. This scoping review investigates current research on PDC and its implementation within Norwegian teacher education. Findings from numerical and thematic analysis offer insights into the prevalent types of PDC research. Thirty-four peer-reviewed papers were identified and coded along three dimensions: (1) theoretical perspectives, (2) research questions and methods, and (3) application and implementation. The review reveals a predominant focus on student and teacher educator perceptions or self-assessments when measuring digital competence. Our findings show that professional digital competence in teacher education is diverse and multifaceted. However, there are gaps in the current state of knowledge. To address this, we propose a definition and a framework to guide teacher educators. Future research should broaden participant profiles and involve a more diverse group of educators.

Unpacking State Production of Temporal Dispossession: The Intersections of Labour, Asylum and Informalization in Sweden

Using the analytical frame of ‘temporal dispossession’, in the present article, I examine lived experiences of navigating the state production of informalization. This is connected to the increasingly blurred lines between migration regimes and labour market politics in Sweden. With temporary residence permits having become the new norm for asylum policies in Sweden, time and labour market productivity are central to the distribution of vulnerability and life chances, as labour market participation functions as the only means of qualifying for permanent residence. Theoretically engaging with ‘temporal dispossession’ and racial capitalism, I highlight how dispossession operates in and through the border regime, specifically through temporal governance, and how the latter is weaponized to dispossess people of their life chances. Empirically, I focus on how the interlocutors inhabit, negotiate, and defy the precarization of asylum through their labour market participation. Their work, however, is marked by super-exploitation, as they are pushed to the margins of the labour market, often in informalized, underpaid, or unpaid positions with the promise of future employment and stability. The analysis focuses on the strategies of defiance enacted by the interlocutors and their different ways of interrogating contemporary capitalist formation through their experiences of devaluation at the intersection of asylum and labour.