When looking at academia and the job market, a persistent issue continues to cast a shadow over the future of graduates and the workforce alike. The problem at hand is the enduring divide between universities and employers, a chasm that often leaves graduates ill-prepared for the demands of the modern workplace. Academic scholars, career advisors, and graduate recruiters grapple with the challenge of equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for sustainable career success. This divide not only impedes the career prospects of graduates but also leaves employers struggling to find the talent they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Strategic Opportunities for Bridging the University-Employer Divide offers a solution to a pressing problem. For academic scholars seeking innovative answers to this enduring challenge, this comprehensive guide marries theoretical insights with real-world applications, providing a roadmap to bridge the gap between education and employment.

For career advisors and graduate recruiters, this book offers a treasure trove of actionable strategies to prepare students for the university-to-work transition, attract early career talent, and assess person-organization fit. It does all of this while drawing on the invaluable insights of lived experiences to provide a holistic approach. Strategic Opportunities for Bridging the University-Employer Divide is the compass that will guide academia and recruiters alike toward a future of harmonious collaboration, better employability, and sustainable graduate careers.

Coverage:

The many academic areas covered in this publication include, but are not limited to:

Career Advisors
Collaboration
Early Career Talent
Employability
Graduates
Job Market
Lived Experiences
Modern Workplace
Person-Organization Fit
Sustainable Career Success
University-Employer Divide
University-to-Work Transition
Workforce

Reviews & Statements

In Strategic Opportunities for Bridging the University-Employer Divide, Prof. William Donald positions university career advisors and graduate recruiters as the architects of a sustainable career ecosystem. The book masterfully weaves together a tapestry of invaluable perspectives, seamlessly blending theory and cutting-edge research with the valuable wisdom gleaned from 32 lived experience insights shared by seasoned practitioners. What sets this book apart is its engaging narrative, immersing readers in the perspectives of these pivotal actors and skillfully navigating the landscape of challenges and opportunities for enhanced collaboration. The book is structured across 10 chapters, offering a logical framework for understanding the divide between universities and the industry, and how it may be bridged, from multiple perspectives. It can also be used as a tool for reflection, as each chapter concludes with questions for students and graduates, university career advisors, and graduate recruiters. Its pragmatic approach renders it an indispensable resource, offering roadmaps to cultivating a sustainable talent flow. Whether you're in the trenches of career advising, scouting for top talent, or shaping policies at the highest level, this book is an invaluable source of knowledge.

– Professor Yehuda Baruch, Southampton Business School, University of Southampton, UK

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Editor/Author Biographies

William E. Donald is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Careers and Human Resource Management at the Ronin Institute (USA) and a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Southampton (UK) as a guest of Professor Yehuda Baruch. Will’s research interests include graduate employability, career development, and sustainable career ecosystems. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed works (journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers)–which have been read more than 30,000 times (ResearchGate) and cited over 1,000 times (GoogleScholar). According to the Scholar GPS Ranking Analytics 2023, based on a 5-year composite ranking for productivity, impact, and quality of research, Will featured in the top 9.45% of scholars across all fields, the top 7.06% for higher education, and the top 3.68% for career development. Will was the sole Editor of the ‘Handbook of Research on Sustainable Career Ecosystems for University Students and Graduates’, published by IGI Global in 2023. He is an international member of various Editorial Boards and Steering Groups and was previously the Managing Editor of the GiLE Journal of Skills Development. Will is a qualified Life and Performance Coach, a Fellow of the ‘Learning and Performance Institute’ (FLPI), an Associate Fellow of the ‘Higher Education Academy’ (AFHEA), and a Member of the ‘National Council of Psychotherapists’ (MNCP NP).

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