Reflecting on Employability: A Case Study of Postgraduate International Students at Coventry University Business School

Marie Hardie and Steve JewellCoventry University Business School

Module Outline The Students Methodology Findings Future Work Student /Employer feedback

Session Outline

Students undertake: 8-12 week placement with an company

completing a project identified by the organisation

Submit a 7000 word Management Report for assessment

Complete a Reflective Account of their experience and development

Undertake a presentation of their findings to the appropriate management team

QAA Code of Practice Section 9:Work-based and placement Learning

Internship Module

The students (49) From 17 different countries Mean age 27.1 (standard deviation 5.3, range 21-45) 59:41 ratio of males to females From 6 disciplines International business, finance,

marketing, tourism, sport management

Postgraduate Masters Students

Methodology Exploratory study Students were asked to write an account of their experiences and development No specific instructions were provided on what

to include Reflections of the 49 students were analysed

by Weft QDA (open source CAQDAS programme)

Grounded theory used to build a conceptual framework of the students’ experiences

Methodology

The internship experienceApplication of theory into practice

Skills developmentImpact

Supervision

The Conceptual Framework

The opportunity and challenge

One of the hardest but most satisfying things I have done in a long time.

Team working

The expertise of my colleagues helped me on many instances to resolve problematic situations with much more ease.

Experience of UK work culture

In some parts of the world you will find many positions in an organisation dominated by men. In this organisation the case was different.

The Internship Experience

Experience of the business world

When the first person expressed an interest in ordering new kit, I got a rush of excitement as I knew I was making a real difference

The difference between the classroom and the workplace

A person cannot only depend theories which he or she has learnt because the real working scene is sometimes totally different.

Application of Theory into Practice

Hard Skills ability to research/undertake a projecttime management

I started using a diary to record events which helped me to track my time and effectively manage time for other studies and internship work.

Soft Skills communicationsinterpersonal skills

Most importantly I have mastered skills such as relationship building, teamwork, self-reliance, time management and self-motivation.

Skills Development

Self confidence

Before pursuing MBA I was a shy lad who resisted giving presentations. I had brilliant ideas but …….My internshippresentation made me very confident.

Employability

I was asked questions on the internship project at numerous job interviews.

Impact

Academic

The best part about Y was he made me use my own ideas and

his constructive criticism kept me thinking in a creative way.

Workplace

She allowed me to test MBA theories in business life. I realised

that giving an employee freedom gets the best out of them.

Supervision

Further work research on: impact supervision/workplace mentor impact of module changes to the quality

and depth of student reflection impact of assessment of reflective accounts impact of module on employability :BEM Engaging international students

Future Work

Luis Vieira (MSC Finance ) 2008Internship: HeadQuaters (NZ)Current: Graduate Trainee BNP Paribas

“My Master Internship was definitely one of the most challenging individual treks of my life. I embarked in this Internship to push myself to the limits, but I went beyond those. It contributed immensely to increase my knowledge and expertise, and likewise my life experience.

 Following a tough selection process the project with

HeadQuarters was the perfect match. Capitalising on my MSc Finance I prepared a Business Plan, and simultaneously maximised management information available, automated and improved the reporting enabling accurate monitoring and decision-making.

 Obviously it was not always easy living on the

opposite side of the World, leaving family and friends behind (even a warm summer); absorb ‘Kiwi’ culture and learn all about a new business in a short period of time. However I was welcomed with open arms and got adventurous exploring this remarkably gorgeous country”

 In conclusion, the outcome is the certainty of a right

decision… WOW!”

Luis Vieira with Rotary Club Members (NZ)

“Since I began my MBA in Sport Management I was aiming to achieve an internship in the Sports Industry. I found it at the Ricoh Arena, a multi-complex sport facility.” “I had the chance to implement the theory to practice, to improve my research skills and, also, to improve my theoretical background. Moreover, I had the pleasure to be guided and advised by experts, such as the directors and the managers of all the departments. My internship was fascinating, invaluable, and unique!”

Yemi Adegboye was one of the first three intern students to undertake their projects abroad heading off across the world to New Zealand. Adeyemi undertook an internship with foodstuffs distributor and one of New Zealand's largest grocery businesses and was even offered a permanent placement by the company. He felt the internship was the most fruitful experience of his programme here at Coventry university. Adeyemi has already secured a placement with an investment bank in Nigeria where he is keen to put into place his experience gained through the internship

Adeyemi Adegboye (MSC Finance ) 2008Internship : FOODSTUFFS (New Zealand)

Sotirios Markou(MBA Sports Management) 2006Internship : Ricoh ArenaCurrent: Head of Sales AEL 1964 F.C

We have been very impressed and pleased with the whole experience of having a Masters Intern from Coventry University.  The preparation and support from the University was comprehensive and helped ensure a successful programme.  Most importantly, the intern was excellently matched to our brief and has produced a well-researched and comprehensive piece of work.  I have no doubt that we will act on most, if not all, of her recommendations and that these will have a major and positive impact on RDA”

The Internship Module:Employer Quotes

“We found the view of an intellectual ’outsider’ very beneficial and it challenged ways of current thinking.”

The Internship ModuleEmployer Quotes