The role of the Careers Service Area of the UJI in enhancing the employability of students and recent graduates

摘要

The Universitat Jaume I has made an open commitment to promoting student employability and to taking a high level of responsibility for the university-to-work transition. The Area de Insercion Profesional (Careers Service Area) is a unit of the Office for International and Educational Cooperation responsible to the Vice-rectorate for Students and Employment. It aims to introduce added value to the students' educational experience by improving their opportunities and preparing them to work in an international environment. Since 1998, work placements have been managed through a single service (Work Placement Office), and, since 2000, this service has increased its powers and has been integrated into the Office for International and Educational Cooperation. The Careers Service Area (CSA) intends to promote employability and to enhance career opportunities for graduates and students through different initiatives. Work placements are part of the curriculum. Every study programme includes a compulsory work placement, regardless of the discipline, and more than 3000 students take one or more periods of placement every academic year. This model is unique among Spanish higher education institutions. For the UJI, placements have strengthened the relationship between the UJI and its economic environment. In addition, the CSA organises conferences and job fairs every year. We develop careers advice activities with professional guidance to help students or graduates find a job. More than 350 students and graduates benefit from this every year. The Careers Observatory carries out various studies on graduates and employers to provide useful information for the university's academic board and professional advisors. Since 2002, we have offered Leonardo da Vinci grants for foreign placements in Europe. We are also developing new initiatives (for instance, an on-line Self-Orientation Guide for Graduates). Every programme has a year's follow-up and assessment of results. The results in the last few years indicate that those taking part in one or more programmes have a better chance of finding a job in less time, and a greater percentage of the employment is suitable for their level of studies. The new EHEA will provide new opportunities to develop employment services in universities and help them to play a greater role in the structure of higher education institutions. Finally, we are discussing possible new lines of development of this service, for instance promoting work placements on Master's courses.