HE Research Group Seminar Dr Rebecca Montacute The University of Life – Employability and Essential Life Skills at University

The University of Life – Employability and Essential Life Skills at University

Dr Rebecca Montacute, The Sutton Trust

Abstract:

Traditionally, there has been a focus on the academic side of university. But with more young people studying for degrees in an increasingly competitive job market, it is now becoming clear that a degree alone is not enough for young people to succeed in the world of work. And importantly, even if two young people go to the same university and achieve the same degree classification, if one of them is from a higher socio-economic background, they will be more likely to gain a top job, and also to earn a higher salary, than their equally academically qualified peers from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Rebecca’s research looks at a range of activities offered at university outside of a student’s core academic course, to examine how well they develop employability and essential life skills in students, as well as how access to such opportunities differs by socio-economic background. She has also examined how access to these activities has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.