Graduates’ perspectives on their Early Childhood Studies programmes and employment opportunities

Silberfeld, Carolyn and Mitchell, H. (2018) Graduates’ perspectives on their Early Childhood Studies programmes and employment opportunities. Early Years. pp. 1-18. ISSN 1472-4421

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

This study explores perceptions of recent graduates from UK institutions who have undertaken Early Childhood Studies (ECS) degrees, following on from a similar study nearly two decades ago. Although there are clear similarities, it is the differences which bring a new dimension and focus. Data were gathered from graduates at 11 UK institutions through an electronic questionnaire and a follow-up focus group interview. Analysis of the data demonstrated that the degrees were highly rated by the graduates but not always understood or known about by employers and careers advisors. Sufficient opportunity for spending supervised time in a relevant setting (practice) was regarded as an essential component of the degrees, but this was not always available. Considerable differences in employment opportunities for the graduates in the two studies were evident from the data, as the newer graduates found achieving employment in the sector was often a challenge, unlike the graduates in the earlier study. Despite not often gaining ‘graduate’ employment, almost all participants believed they had improved their employment prospects since completing their programmes.

Graduates’ motivations for their programme choice were similar in both studies. The relevance and influence of the programmes, including advocacy and political awareness, and the employment opportunities following their degree programmes, had changed.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: education, developmental and educational psychology
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Arts, Business & Applied Social Science > Department of Young People & Education
SWORD Depositor: Pub Router
Depositing User: Pub Router
Date Deposited: 17 Jul 2018 14:15
Last Modified: 17 Jul 2018 14:15
URI: https://oars.uos.ac.uk/id/eprint/661

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item