Work integrated learning benefits for student career prospects - mixed mode analysis

Abstract

Work integrated learning (WIL) aims to strategically inspire students to embrace prospective future careers, thereby contributing to economic innovation and growth.Higher Education is mandated to integrate WIL into curricula and qualifications in order to promote student career development.This is an invaluable opportunity for academics to not only integrate theory and practice, but to expose graduates-to-be to the world of work and assess their experiential learning.Most academics seem to shy away from WIL implementation due to perceived increase in workload, denying themselves and their students the benefits of WIL, especially for student career prospects.This empirical article reports on a transdisciplinary exploration into the benefits of two discipline-specific WIL projects using a mixed model analysis approach.A comparative, triangulated study of the Marketing qualitative and Human Resource quantitative data reveals that the students enjoy their WIL experience, gain additional knowledge and skills, and are exposed to various career opportunities.