Using the student lifecycle approach to enhance employability: An example from Criminology and Criminal Justice

Abstract

Universities are increasingly focusing on the employability of students after they graduate from their studies. While practicums is one way of enhancing students' employability, the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice embeds employability throughout its degree programs using a range of strategies. These methods are based on the student lifecycle approach embedded into the Employability Framework. Therefore, students are able to undertake activities that enhance their employability as they transition into university, transition through their degree program and then transition out of university and into the workforce. Alumni are involved within approaches located in the transition up and back stage of the student lifecycle. This paper uses the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice as a case study for how employability can be scaffolded throughout an undergraduate degree program. It clearly indicates that students can begin to develop their understanding and skills in the area of employability within criminology before they start their degree, throughout their studies and after they graduate.