Marie Hardie and Steve Jewell C oventry University Business School

1. Reflecting on Employability: A Case Study of Postgraduate International Students at Coventry University Business School Marie Hardie and Steve Jewell Coventry University Business School

2. Session Outline • Module Outline • The Students • Methodology • Findings • Future Work • Student /Employer feedback

3. Internship Module Students undertake: • 8-12 week placement with an company completing a project identified by the organisation • Submit a 7000 word Management Report for assessment • Complete a Reflective Account of their experience and development • Undertake a presentation of their findings to the appropriate management team • QAA Code of Practice Section 9:Work-based and placement Learning

4. Postgraduate Masters Students The students (49) • From 17 different countries • Mean age 27.1 (standard deviation 5.3, range 21-45) • 59:41 ratio of males to females • From 6 disciplines International business, finance, marketing, tourism, sport management

5. Methodology Methodology • Exploratory study • Students were asked to write an account of their experiences and development • No specific instructions were provided on what to include • Reflections of the 49 students were analysed by Weft QDA (open source CAQDAS programme) • Grounded theory used to build a conceptual framework of the students’ experiences

6. The Conceptual Framework The internship experience Application of theory into practice Skills development Impact Supervision

7. The Internship Experience The opportunity and challenge One of the hardest but most satisfying things I have done in a long time. Team working The expertise of my colleagues helped me on many instances to resolve problematic situations with much more ease. Experience of UK work culture In some parts of the world you will find many positions in an organisation dominated by men. In this organisation the case was different.

8. Application of Theory into Practice Experience of the business world When the first person expressed an interest in ordering new kit, I got a rush of excitement as I knew I was making a real difference The difference between the classroom and the workplace A person cannot only depend theories which he or she has learnt because the real working scene is sometimes totally different.

9. Skills Development Hard Skills ability to research/undertake a project time management I started using a diary to record events which helped me to track my time and effectively manage time for other studies and internship work. Soft Skills communications interpersonal skills Most importantly I have mastered skills such as relationship building, teamwork, self-reliance, time management and self-motivation.

10. Impact Self confidence Before pursuing MBA I was a shy lad who resisted giving presentations. I had brilliant ideas but …….My internship presentation made me very confident. Employability I was asked questions on the internship project at numerous job interviews.

11. Supervision Academic The best part about Y was he made me use my own ideas and his constructive criticism kept me thinking in a creative way. Workplace She allowed me to test MBA theories in business life. I realised that giving an employee freedom gets the best out of them.

12. Future Work Further work research on: • impact supervision/workplace mentor • impact of module changes to the quality and depth of student reflection • impact of assessment of reflective accounts • impact of module on employability :BEM • Engaging international students

13. Luis Vieira (MSC Finance ) 2008Internship: HeadQuaters (NZ)Current: Graduate Trainee BNP Paribas • “My Master Internship was definitely one of the most challenging individual treks of my life. I embarked in this Internship to push myself to the limits, but I went beyond those. It contributed immensely to increase my knowledge and expertise, and likewise my life experience. • Following a tough selection process the project with HeadQuarters was the perfect match. Capitalising on my MSc Finance I prepared a Business Plan, and simultaneously maximised management information available, automated and improved the reporting enabling accurate monitoring and decision-making. • Obviously it was not always easy living on the opposite side of the World, leaving family and friends behind (even a warm summer); absorb ‘Kiwi’ culture and learn all about a new business in a short period of time. However I was welcomed with open arms and got adventurous exploring this remarkably gorgeous country” • In conclusion, the outcome is the certainty of a right decision… WOW!” Luis Vieira with Rotary Club Members (NZ)

14. Adeyemi Adegboye (MSC Finance ) 2008Internship : FOODSTUFFS (New Zealand) Yemi Adegboye was one of the first three intern students to undertake their projects abroad heading off across the world to New Zealand. Adeyemi undertook an internship with foodstuffs distributor and one of New Zealand's largest grocery businesses and was even offered a permanent placement by the company. He felt the internship was the most fruitful experience of his programme here at Coventry university. Adeyemi has already secured a placement with an investment bank in Nigeria where he is keen to put into place his experience gained through the internship • SotiriosMarkou(MBA Sports Management) 2006Internship : Ricoh Arena • Current: Head of Sales AEL 1964 F.C “Since I began my MBA in Sport Management I was aiming to achieve an internship in the Sports Industry. I found it at the Ricoh Arena, a multi-complex sport facility.” “I had the chance to implement the theory to practice, to improve my research skills and, also, to improve my theoretical background. Moreover, I had the pleasure to be guided and advised by experts, such as the directors and the managers of all the departments. My internship was fascinating, invaluable, and unique!”

15. The Internship Module:Employer Quotes We have been very impressed and pleased with the whole experience of having a Masters Intern from Coventry University.  The preparation and support from the University was comprehensive and helped ensure a successful programme.  Most importantly, the intern was excellently matched to our brief and has produced a well-researched and comprehensive piece of work.  I have no doubt that we will act on most, if not all, of her recommendations and that these will have a major and positive impact on RDA”

16. The Internship ModuleEmployer Quotes • “We found the view of an intellectual ’outsider’ very beneficial and it challenged ways of current thinking.”