Integrated work study program: Students' growth mindset and perception of change in work-related skills

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate students' perception of growth in the area of work-related skills through their participation in an integrated work study program (IWSP). In Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), 368 students across a range of six programs took part in an IWSP lasting six to twelve months. Students reported self-perceived improvements after IWSP in their work-related skills, encompassed by six domains – learning & work integration; professionalism; communication; problem solving and decision-making; teamwork; and adaptability. Their mindset was additionally analyzed against ratings by their work supervisors to determine if having a fixed or growth mindset would have any implications on how their work-related skills were perceived. This paper thus investigates the impact of the IWSP on students' self-perceived growth in comparison to their work supervisors' perception of them, and whether mindset contributes to this.