[RE]LEARN 2020 - The Learning Innovation Festival

In an increasingly VUCA world, we are in need of improvements to how career exploration is handled at both secondary and tertiary level. Getting students into a job has been the ultimate goal of university career centres, however recent research by Strada and Gallup has shown that a high number of college graduates, if given the chance again, would change their major. Rather than guiding students into fulfilling and purpose-driven careers our institutions have prioritised employment; and in the case of some high schools, we have herded students into a college ‘arms race’ of selectivity, standardized testing and privilege. Newer, better models are also focused on making students employable whilst building a sense of true career purpose.

To counter the dissatisfaction of students who may feel pushed into career paths that they did not sufficiently explore or feel prepared for, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), or the practice of “integrating curricular learning with workplace experience” enables students to combine theory and practice in a real-world work environment, deepening their knowledge and understanding, and enhancing their capabilities.

This session will look at successful ways for high school and college educators to create industry-relevant learning experiences, to connect students to employers at scale and to help students explore their career passions.

We recommend this session for career counselors, heads of school, and teachers / lecturers who wish to bring in more fulfilling work experiences for their students.