What Students Want?

When it comes to employability, we hear a lot about what employers want, but what about students?

In our co-design workshop with some amazing international students (and thank you to all the students and graduates who helped us with our survey), it was evident that our students today are far more complex than what we are used to. The students we have today are mainly millennials and covers the generation of people born between 1980 and 2000s. Their knowledge and skill-sets are very sophisticated, their experiences are rich and they have very specific attributes.

As we discussed the generation of students we work with today, it is critical for us to reflect on the next generation, our future group of students; a group of students who have never known a world without the internet or mobile phones, they want everything instantly, Google has always existed and wifi is expected.

We have the most amazing panel of students (Sean, Ellen, Daniela, Devanshi) participate in the IEAA who challenged the audience on several facets:

You have 8 seconds to get my attention. When you do, how are you going to get me interested?

I am motivated by impact. How do you capture my employability interests and mind?

I want personalized connection. How will you give me real time data and an up-to-date experience?

I am a motivated global citizen. How will you connect me to the employment or experience that share my values?

Are education institutions today designing programs and activities to suit what students want? Share your thoughts!