The importance of part-time work to UK university students

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the skills requirements of UK graduate jobs and to compare them to those for part-time jobs typically undertaken by UK university students in order to identify similarities and/or differences between them. A content analysis of 100 graduate jobs and 100 part-time jobs was used as the basis of comparison. The person skills criteria were initially noted for graduate jobs and were then compared to the skills required for the part-time jobs. Quantitative analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between the two sets of skills criteria. Twenty-seven criteria were identified in the graduate jobs. It was found that there was a close relationship between the criteria specified in graduate positions and those for part-time jobs. This highlights the importance of part-time working for university students to gain vital skills to support their graduate job applications. By demonstrating connections between the two types of jobs, this study will hopefully contribute to convincing graduate employers of university students’ work-readiness.

Opportunities for the development of professional skills for undergraduate civil and environmental engineers

“…Murray et al, (2019) found similar views of civil engineering students employed in non-engineering summer jobs, with self-reported improvements in their communication and teamworking skills. Of note, Evans & Yusof (2020) have argued for students' who secure part time work to consider how this can help demonstrate the skills required in their future professional careers, and, for employers of students to consider how they can assist them in skills development rather than only monetary benefits.…”

Investigating barriers that prevent students attaining their full potential during their degree

“…Despite the fact that in some cases attendance was directly impacted by a student's 2 requirement to work alongside their degree, the main benefit of some paid work for university students is the development of key skills which could prove useful for careers post-graduation (Evans & Yusof, 2021).…”