Each year, students who are newly enrolled in the University of Ottawa Cooperative Education Programs prepare for their first co-op work terms. In this period of pre-employment, students ask themselves important questions like, “What do I have to do to get a job?” and “What do I want to be?” As a co-op practitioner I am exposed to students’ experiences and the dilemmas they face but I still wondered what was hidden from my view and outside of my understanding. Thus, during one-on-one interviews that occurred prior to their first co-op work terms, six co-op students shared the photographs and stories of their co-op experiences with me and I shared my photographs and stories with them. Goffman’s (1959) theory of dramaturgy provided the theoretical framework to present, interpret, and understand the words and pictures that emerged from these interviews. What resulted were dramas, narratives, and allegories: six participant descriptions written as mini-biographies, verbatim transcripts prepared as a reader’s theatre script, and a set of five themes composed with vivid symbolism. The five metaphoric themes of co-op student experience are (a) journey, (b) circus, (c) metamorphosing, (d) anglers at sea, and (e) warriors. Taken together, what emerged was a deeper seeing and a richer understanding of what’s “really going on” in the time prior to students’ first co-op work terms (Goffman, 1974, p. 8) particularly with regards to legitimate peripheral participation, reflection, and experiential learning.

"2006" / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Australian Centre for Educational Studies, Institute of Higher Education Research and Development, 2007. / Bibliography: p. 167-173. / Introduction -- Experience and expression -- Becoming a professional -- Study design -- Graduates' experiences: a narrative -- Reflections on communication -- Examples of texts -- Reflections on learning and teaching -- Reflections and implications. / The aim of this study is to inform curriculum change in the mathematical sciences at university level. This study examines the transition to professional work after gaining a degree in the mathematical sciences. Communication is used as the basis for the analysis of the transition because of the importance of language choices in work situations. These experiences form part of the capabilities that become part of a person's potential to work as a professional. I found a subtle form of power and, of the opposite, lack of power due to communication skills. It is not as obvious as in, say, politics but it is just as critical to graduates and to the mathematical sciences. -- There were 18 participants in the study who were graduates within five years of graduation with majors in the mathematical sciences. In-depth interviews were analysed using phenomenography and examples of text from the workplace were analysed using discourse analysis. Descriptions of the process of gaining employment and the use of mathematical discourse have been reported in the thesis using narrative style with extensive quotes from the participants. -- The research shows that graduates had three qualitatively different conceptions of mathematical discourse when communicating with a non-mathematical audience: jargon, concepts/thinking and strength. All participants modified their use of technical terms when communicating with non-mathematicians. Those who held the jargon conception tried to simplify the language in order to explain the mathematics to their audience. Those who held the concepts/thinking conception believed that the way of thinking or the ideas were too difficult to communicate and instead their intention with mathematical discourse was to inspire or sell their ability to work with the mathematics. The strength conception considers the ethical responsibility to communicate the consequences of mathematical decisions. Not one of the participants believed that they had been taught communication skills as part of their degree. -- Participants gained a 'mathematical identity' from their studies and acquiring a degree gave them confidence and a range of problem-solving skills. Recommendations are made about changes in university curriculum to ensure that graduates are empowered to make a high-quality transition to the workplace and be in a position to use their mathematical skills. Mathematical skills are necessary but not sufficient for a successful transition to the workplace. Without the ability to communicate, graduates are unable to release the strength of their knowledge. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / xi, 195 p. ill

Thesis (M.A.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία πραγματοποιήθηκε στα πλαίσια της εκπόνησης του μεταπτυχιακού προγράμματος “Νέες Μέθοδοι Διοίκησης Επιχειρήσεων” του τμήματος Διοίκησης Επιχειρήσεων του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών. Αφορά έρευνα με θέμα: “Η απορρόφηση των πτυχιούχων Διοίκησης Επιχειρήσεων του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών” και στόχος της είναι η εξαγωγή συμπερασμάτων σχετικά με τον βαθμό,τη ποιότητα και τη διαδικασία ένταξης των αποφοίτων του εξεταζόμενου τμήματος στην αγορά εργασίας. Η έρευνα αυτή κατατάσσεται στην κατηγορία των ερευνών “επαγγελματικής ένταξης” και “μετάβαση των νέων από την εκπαίδευση στην εργασία”. / -

Esta dissertação objetivou compreender percepções de estudantes universitários sobre a transição entre os papéis de estudante a trabalhador / profissional, investigando a influência dos processos de adaptabilidade de carreira e das experiências acadêmicas, especialmente o estágio, para a transição de identidade. O Estudo 1 consistiu em um levantamento quantitativo, mapeando percepções sobre a formação e avaliando aspectos do desenvolvimento de carreira. Participaram 62 alunos de Engenharia Civil que estavam cursando o último ou penúltimo semestre. O Estudo 2, qualitativo, aprofundou a partir de entrevistas semi-estruturadas o tema investigado. Participaram 6 estudantes selecionados da amostra do Estudo 1. Os principais resultados sugeriram que as experiências de estágio influenciam o desenvolvimento de dimensões da adaptabilidade de carreira, bem como a adaptabilidade influencia o aproveitamento das vivências de estágio. Tais experiências mostraram-se fundamentais no processo de transição do papel de estudante para o papel profissional. Conclui-se com implicações para a prática e a pesquisa. / This dissertation aimed to understand university student’s perceptions of the transition from the role of student to worker and professional, investigating the influence of career adaptability processes and academic experiences, especially internships, to identity transition. Study 1 used a quantitative and exploratory method in order to identify perceptions about the graduation experiences and assess career development variables. The sample was constituted of 62 Civil Engineering students in the last or penultimate semester. Study 2 used a qualitative design to produce deeper understandings about this theme through semi-structured interviews. Six students selected from Study 1 took part on Study 2. The main results suggested that internship experiences influence career adaptability development, as well as adaptability influences how the students benefit from internship experiences. Those experiences were found to be essential in the process of transition from student to professional role. Conclusions set directions for future research and practice.

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Esta dissertação objetivou compreender percepções de estudantes universitários sobre a transição entre os papéis de estudante a trabalhador / profissional, investigando a influência dos processos de adaptabilidade de carreira e das experiências acadêmicas, especialmente o estágio, para a transição de identidade. O Estudo 1 consistiu em um levantamento quantitativo, mapeando percepções sobre a formação e avaliando aspectos do desenvolvimento de carreira. Participaram 62 alunos de Engenharia Civil que estavam cursando o último ou penúltimo semestre. O Estudo 2, qualitativo, aprofundou a partir de entrevistas semi-estruturadas o tema investigado. Participaram 6 estudantes selecionados da amostra do Estudo 1. Os principais resultados sugeriram que as experiências de estágio influenciam o desenvolvimento de dimensões da adaptabilidade de carreira, bem como a adaptabilidade influencia o aproveitamento das vivências de estágio. Tais experiências mostraram-se fundamentais no processo de transição do papel de estudante para o papel profissional. Conclui-se com implicações para a prática e a pesquisa. / This dissertation aimed to understand university student’s perceptions of the transition from the role of student to worker and professional, investigating the influence of career adaptability processes and academic experiences, especially internships, to identity transition. Study 1 used a quantitative and exploratory method in order to identify perceptions about the graduation experiences and assess career development variables. The sample was constituted of 62 Civil Engineering students in the last or penultimate semester. Study 2 used a qualitative design to produce deeper understandings about this theme through semi-structured interviews. Six students selected from Study 1 took part on Study 2. The main results suggested that internship experiences influence career adaptability development, as well as adaptability influences how the students benefit from internship experiences. Those experiences were found to be essential in the process of transition from student to professional role. Conclusions set directions for future research and practice.

Each year, students who are newly enrolled in the University of Ottawa Cooperative Education Programs prepare for their first co-op work terms. In this period of pre-employment, students ask themselves important questions like, “What do I have to do to get a job?” and “What do I want to be?” As a co-op practitioner I am exposed to students’ experiences and the dilemmas they face but I still wondered what was hidden from my view and outside of my understanding. Thus, during one-on-one interviews that occurred prior to their first co-op work terms, six co-op students shared the photographs and stories of their co-op experiences with me and I shared my photographs and stories with them. Goffman’s (1959) theory of dramaturgy provided the theoretical framework to present, interpret, and understand the words and pictures that emerged from these interviews. What resulted were dramas, narratives, and allegories: six participant descriptions written as mini-biographies, verbatim transcripts prepared as a reader’s theatre script, and a set of five themes composed with vivid symbolism. The five metaphoric themes of co-op student experience are (a) journey, (b) circus, (c) metamorphosing, (d) anglers at sea, and (e) warriors. Taken together, what emerged was a deeper seeing and a richer understanding of what’s “really going on” in the time prior to students’ first co-op work terms (Goffman, 1974, p. 8) particularly with regards to legitimate peripheral participation, reflection, and experiential learning.

The purpose of this study was to examine a school-to-career program created and operated by a non-profit organization called Jobs for America's Graduates, Inc. (JAG). During the school year 2003-2004, they provided this service to 12,205 students in 426 schools and 21 states. Data was collected to measure the following: (a) were they successful in helping students graduate from high school, find a career, enter postsecondary education or the military; (b) how many of the youth were still employed 12 months after graduation; and (c) did school demographic and socioeconomic factors affect JAG's performance. JAG is a 25 year old organization that works with at-risk youth to help them graduate from high school and move into gainful employment, further education or the military. They provide students with nine months of in school instruction, mentoring, career connections and 12 months of follow-up service. Data was collected by job specialists through job placement reports and 12 month follow-up reports. School demographic and socioeconomic information was collected via the Internet. This study discovered that JAG students are graduating from high school at levels well above the national rates, attaining 90% graduation rather than the average of 68% (Swanson, 2004a). A year after graduation the data revealed similar good news: 25% were enrolled in college, 5% in the military and 55% were working full time. Another interesting revelation showed that neither high school socioeconomic or demographic factor affected the high school graduation rate for JAG participants, which is contrary to most current research.

The mission of this project is to develop a school-to-career curriculum that can be utilized by all middle school students. It is designed to help educate these students in the skills they will need to become successful in their future careers.