2019 Annual Conference

CPAE CoConference: Research & Theory

Shared Concurrent Session (Approx. 12 or 20 minutes)

This study examines non-traditional students’ perception of their employability by conducting a self-perceived employability scale survey among enrolled undergraduate and graduate students in a professional studies program. The study results would assist faculty and administrators regarding the value of professional programs and strategies for improvements.

Administrators, faculty, staff, and students (current and/or potential) in the field of professional studies, adult education, workforce education and human resource management and human resource development.

At the end of this session, participants would be able to:
1. Learn the perspective of currently enrolled non-traditional students of professional studies programs on their perceived employability.
2. Compare the non-traditional students’ perceptions of employability and ambition based on their academic achievement measured by GPA and the degree level pursued.
3. Discuss the value of the degree of professional studies program for the non-traditional students’ perspective with regards to securing employment.
4. Discuss strategies for success and recommendations to improve the outcomes of professional studies programs.

Professional studies programs are increasingly emerging within the fields of workforce education, human resource development, adult education, and career development. However, there is limited research regarding the perspective on the employability of these programs from non-traditional students. Therefore, this study explores the non-traditional students’ self-perspective employability who are enrolled in a professional studies programs, including undergraduate and graduate degree This study utilized Rothwell et al.’s (2008) self-perceived employability instrument, including 16 self-perceived employability items, six ambition items, and eight university commitment items. The academic achievement represented by GPA and the degree level pursued are also considered as factors in the perceived employability. Descriptive and statistical analysis is used to show the results of perceived employability. The findings of this study will be useful to the faculty and administrators of the professional studies programs to understand non-traditional students’ employability and help students make their career plan and involve more transition training, which could increase the employability. In addition, this study will help potential and current students predict their career.

This session will begin with a presentation of the study followed by a facilitated discussion and would include interactive scenarios that would prompt audience participation and learning with regards to the non-traditional students’ employability.