A new focus for the Arts Degree
by Michèle Nardelli
The
general arts degree sometimes comes in for tough criticism, and it’s
true that for some students undertaking Australian Studies,
Indigenous Studies or a general BA, their goal is often more about
studying at uni than where they might work after graduation.
In an effort to bring BA degree skills into sharp focus for students, Dr Tangi Steen and Syd Sparrow, in conjunction with UniSA’s Careers Services, have developed a special one semester course to help students to refine career goals and "sell" their skills effectively in the employment market.
The Australian Workplace: Policies and Demands course covers work ethics and organisational work structure, the history of Australian workplace policy development, implementation and evaluation, the global workplace, and managing cultural diversity. Four weeks of the course are dedicated to topics such as making the right career decision, searching for a job, preparing for interviews, and assessing and presenting students’ skills in a framework that matches workplace requirements.
As part of the innovative approach in developing the course, Career Services advisor Tony McAvaney is a key contributer, giving students the benefit of practical and current expertise in the job market.
According to the David Unaipon College’s Teaching and Learning Portfolio Leader, Dr Jenny Baker, the course is especially important to the College.
"We are helping our students to identify where their skills can be applied," Dr Baker said.
"As part of this course, we have also looked at UniSA’s important graduate qualities and modified them to include a specific Indigenous perspective as something students can measure their learning outcomes against.
"We hope to give arts graduates from the College and students engaged in generalist degrees from other schools, a set of skills that will help them to work with Aboriginal communities as well as others."
For business student Antonia Aristomenopoulis, who has taken on the course as a Broadening Undergraduate Education course, the study has been invaluable.
"It has really helped me clarify my career goals and to nail down how my education has real application in the working world," she said. "The course offers a relaxed environment but an invaluable workplace perspective. I really feel more focused and I have a more realistic understanding of how I can apply my expertise."
The course is open to third-year students at the College but may be introduced as a second-year option depending on course evaluation feedback.
Course coordinator Dr Steen says she intends to evaluate the course and make it available to more students across the University as an important part of preparing graduates for the knowledge and skills demands of the modern work environment.
"We are hoping that this course will go a long way to improving
employment outcomes for graduates of arts and similar generalist
degree programs, by giving them confidence in their skills and how
they can be applied,"
Dr Steen said.