Using State Workforce Data to Report Graduate Outcomes

Survey methodology is the dominant approach among universities in the United States for reporting employment outcomes for recent graduates. However, past studies have shown that survey methodology may yield upwardly biased results, which can result in overreporting of employment rates and salary outcomes. This case study describes the development and application of an alternative reporting methodology, by which state wage records are analyzed to determine employment and salary outcomes for recent graduates. Findings at Western Washington University suggest the significant sample sizes that can be achieved using wage record methodology may provide a more reliable option than survey methodology for accurately reporting graduate outcomes.

Soft Skills Integration into Business Processes Based on the Requirements of Employers—Approach for Sustainable Education

This paper deals with the issue of increasing the quality and sustainability of education at universities regarding the requirements of employers. Employers’ expectations of university graduates in terms of soft skills are analysed and outlined. The employers participating in this study answered a questionnaire survey focused on understanding university graduates’ soft skills. The collected results were subjected to the method of mathematical–statistical analysis by nonparametric testing of significance of the mean value difference. The significance of the difference for individual skills was confirmed, demonstrating that the surveyed enterprises required and anticipated a level of soft skills development on the part of recent graduates that was insufficient. This finding implies the necessity of improving university education to match the expected and real state of soft skill mastery.

Transitioning to practice: a qualitative investigation of Australian graduate naturopath’s experiences of being in practice

Background The transition from student to practitioner can be challenging, resulting in stress, burnout and attrition. While there has been ample research examining graduate medical and allied health practitioner experiences of transitioning to practice, there is a paucity of research exploring such experiences in newly qualified naturopathic medicine practitioners. In light of this knowledge gap, the objective of this study was to ascertain the experiences of practicing as a naturopath in Australia within the first 5 years post-graduation. Methods Using a qualitative descriptive approach, recent graduates of an Australian Bachelor of Naturopathy (or equivalent) program were invited to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview to address the study objective. Data were analysed utilising a framework approach. Results A total of 19 new graduates (94.7% female; 57.9% aged 40–59 years) undertook an interview. Five inter-related themes emerged from the data: practitioner, practice, proprietorship, professions, and perceptions. Connected with these themes were contrasting feelings, multiplicity of duties, small business challenges, professional collaboration, and professional identity, respectively. Conclusions Participants were generally content with their decision to become a naturopath. However, most were confronted by a range of challenges as they transitioned from graduate to practitioner, for which many felt ill-prepared. In light of the complexity of the issue, and the potential impact on the sustainability of the profession, it is evident that a multi-pronged, multi-stakeholder approach would be needed to better support graduate naturopath transition to practice.

O Valor Social No Atendimento Psicológico Clínico / The Social Value in Clinical Psychological Care

Resumo: O atendimento psicológico clínico por muito tempo foi considerado privilégio das classes elitistas, e essa resistência ainda permeia em nossa sociedade, buscou-se então analisar o valor social no atendimento psicológico clínico, principalmente na visão de acadêmicos ou recém-formados do curso de psicologia, verificando o que compreendiam por valor social na psicoterapia. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória descritiva e a coleta de dados se deu por um questionário online pelo Google Forms, havendo 4 itens fechados e 7 itens abertos, tendo participação de 52 respondentes, e o método para análise dos dados foi por meio da estatística descritiva dos itens de caracterização e análise de similitude dos itens da associação livre, utilizando o software IrAmUteQ. Nos itens abertos, também foi realizado análise de conteúdo, entendendo o contexto do sentido das afirmações. Como resultados é possível destacar que o atendimento à valor social é importante, ponto de favorabilidade apresentado por 73,1% dos participantes, mas que essa prática pode ser uma desvalorização da profissão, visto que existe um alto investimento de tempo e valor, ponto de desfavorabilidade apresentado por 23,1% dos participantes e isso pode implicar em um exercício limitado que merece ser repensado pelos profissionais da psicologia. Palavras chaves: Valor Social; Psicologia; Atendimento Psicológico Clínico; Sociedade. Abstract: Clinical psychological care has long been considered a privilege of elitist classes, and this resistance still permeates our society, so we sought to analyze the social value in clinical psychological care, especially in the view of academics or recent graduates of the psychology course, verifying what they understood by social value in psychotherapy. This is a descriptive exploratory research and data collection was done through an online questionnaire through Google Forms, with 4 closed items and 7 open items, with the participation of 52 respondents, and the method for data analysis was through statistics descriptive of the characterization items and similarity analysis of the items of the free association, using the IrAmUteQ software. In the open items, content analysis was also carried out, understanding the context of the meaning of the statements. As a result, it is possible to highlight that meeting social value is important, a point of favorability presented by 73.1% of the participants, but that this practice can be a devaluation of the profession, since there is a high investment of time and value, unfavorability presented by 23.1% of the participants and this may imply a limited exercise that deserves to be rethought by professionals in psychology. Keywords: Social Value; Psychology; Clinical Psychological Care; Society.

How effective are mobility subsidies in targeting the unemployed? Lessons from the Swedish Model, 1965–1975

The Swedish Model on the labor market has been celebrated as a way to combine mobility with low unemployment and small wage gaps. As part of the model, relocation allowances were pioneered from the late 1950s. The program expanded thereafter and as much as 1% of the population in the high-unemployment north moved with assistance in the 1960s. Today, migration incentives are discussed to address pressing unemployment problems in Europe and the United States. What can Sweden’s experience tell us about the prospects of such programs? This article studies the usage of relocation allowances through a case study of Västernorrland County from 1965 to 1975. The analysis shows that there was a strong selection into the program by younger persons, recent graduates and from sectors with good employment prospects. The experience from Sweden highlights the difficulty of implementing programs to induce migration for those with the highest risk of unemployment.

Examination of Job Satisfaction, Achievements, and Employment Preparedness among College of Pharmacy Alumni: A Study From Qatar

Background: Job satisfaction in healthcare is of special interest as has a direct relation with the quality of care provided to patients. It is affected by several factors including the nature of the work, level of educational preparedness and achievements. Objectives: This study aims to explore College of Pharmacy - Qatar University (CPH-QU) alumni’s satisfaction with employment and the profession, level of educational preparedness and achievements in the practice. Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-method designs was adopted. Seven Focus Group (FG) discussions were performed and a self-reported survey distributed to all alumni graduated between 2011-2020. Results: A total of 135 alumni answered the survey (response rate 63%). Majority of respondents were non-Qatari (97%) and 52% of them were recent graduates and obtained doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) as an additional degree (58%). The study findings suggest that CPH alumni are moderately satisfied with the practice and the profession, and Qatari alumni are more satisfied. However, majority of them (44.55%) are not satisfied with the available opportunities for professional development. The level of satisfaction about achievements was significantly high only in the field of research and presentation activities. A general agreement about the level of educational preparedness was dominant, especially in clinical knowledge and skills and experiential training they received. Conclusion: The overall satisfaction about workplace and the profession in CPH-QU alumni is moderate and higher among Qatari graduates. Alumni agreed that they were well prepared to meet the practice requirements and mostly satisfied in achieving research and presentation related activities.

Community as a Sustaining Force: Strategies for Online Scholarly Support

This paper discusses the ways that community connections serve to sustain and support scholarly growth, retention, and success, particularly in longer-term online contexts. These strategies are seen through the reflective experience of a faculty mentor and two recent graduates who co-developed community support strategies that help doctoral students stay motivated, connected, and succeed over many years of what might otherwise be a long, individual, and lonely journey—particularly when undertaken online. A matrix of strategies, apps, and online tools emerged from this process and is offered for consideration.