Are Universities Preparing Students For The Real World?

The education system has long been a topic of debate, with many questioning whether universities are teaching students the right things. While universities provide students with academic skills and knowledge, some argue that they fall short in preparing students for the real world and the workplace. This has led to a growing emphasis on work-integrated learning and internships, as well as a recognition of the importance of soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Additionally, the way schools are structured has been called into question, with some suggesting that the focus on efficiency over effectiveness may hinder learning. As the world changes, the education system must also adapt to ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their future careers and contribute to society.

Academic freedom and the right to free speech

Academic freedom and freedom of speech are two distinct concepts, though they are often conflated. Academic freedom is a protection of faculty rights based on disciplinary competence. It defends the pursuit of knowledge, which is vital for the exercise of democracy and the promotion of the common good. On the other hand, freedom of speech is the right to express one's ideas, regardless of their veracity.

In the context of higher education, it is important to protect the rights of faculty members to speak out about matters of public concern, even when their views are controversial. While professors may sometimes behave irresponsibly or voice ill-considered or mistaken opinions, institutions of higher learning would suffer if they regularly censored such speech. This is because colleges and universities are places where controversial ideas should be voiced, where competing ideas are welcome, and where ideas can be fearlessly debated, defended, and rejected.

The protection of academic freedom and freedom of speech is especially important for professors speaking out on matters closely related to their scholarly expertise. Colleges and universities should encourage faculty to bring their expertise to bear on matters of public concern and express their informed judgments to public audiences, as this contributes to the public interest in maintaining universities as bastions of free inquiry. If professors are discouraged from sharing their knowledge or are sanctioned for their scholarly pursuits, this will hinder the advancement of human knowledge.

Additionally, academic freedom and freedom of speech should also extend to controversial extramural speech on topics distant from the scholarly expertise of the professor. This is because professors should be free to explore difficult questions and see where they lead, both inside and outside the classroom. If extramural speech is left unprotected, professors will be less willing to embark on new paths of discovery, for fear of repercussions. As such, academic freedom is more likely to thrive if professors do not have to worry about the consequences of their extramural speech.

In conclusion, academic freedom and the right to free speech are essential for the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of democracy and the common good. Colleges and universities have a responsibility to protect these freedoms for their faculty members, even when their views are controversial. By doing so, they foster a vibrant intellectual ecosystem where unconventional ideas can be explored and debated.

The importance of soft skills

Soft skills are essential for success in the workplace and in personal life. They are the interpersonal skills and character traits that enable us to interact effectively with others, build and maintain relationships, navigate complex situations, and achieve our goals. While technical skills are important, soft skills are often what differentiate outstanding performers in the workplace.

Soft skills are in high demand by recruiters and are highly valued by employers. According to the National Soft Skills Association, 85% of job success is determined by soft skills, while only 15% is determined by technical abilities. This is because most interactions with other people require some level of soft skills. Developing strong soft skills can help you win more business and accelerate your career progression.

So, what are these soft skills? Soft skills include communication, teamwork, leadership, empathy, problem-solving, and time management. They are the skills that allow us to negotiate, present our ideas, network, and collaborate with colleagues.

The modern workplace is interpersonal, and strong soft skills ensure a productive, collaborative, and healthy work environment. In today's workplace, it is rare for anyone to complete a project or task independently, so being able to work well with different personalities and collaborate effectively is essential.

Additionally, with advances in technology and automation, tasks that require hard skills are declining, making soft skills a key differentiator in the workplace. A study by Deloitte Access Economics predicts that "soft skill-intensive occupations will account for two-thirds of all jobs by 2030".

Furthermore, soft skills are hard to automate. Emotional intelligence, for example, is not likely to become automated anytime soon. As such, developing soft skills will become even more important in the future as the demand for these skills increases.

Universities play a crucial role in preparing students for the workplace and should recognize the importance of soft skills in addition to technical skills. While there may be uncertainties about what works best in teaching students at the university level, incorporating activities that develop soft skills can be beneficial. This can include creating an inviting and stimulating learning climate, providing clear instructions, and activating learning through discussions, assignments, and other interactive methods.

By focusing on soft skills, universities can better equip their students for success in their careers and personal lives, ensuring they have the necessary tools to navigate an ever-changing and dynamic world.

Work experience and internships

There are many ways for students to gain work experience, including internships, summer jobs, vacation exchanges, part-time work, open days with organisations, clinical/professional practice, co-operative education programmes, international programmes, and casual work.

Internships are a common form of work experience, usually offered to students in the summer between their second and third years at university. They are typically highly structured, paid programmes that allow employers to observe potential employees in action and make permanent job offers upon completion.

Work experience can also be gained through part-time and vacation work. While these roles may not be directly related to a student's career path, they still provide valuable skills and an understanding of how organisations work.

When it comes to finding work experience, students can leverage online tools such as job search platforms, conduct informational interviews with professionals in their desired field, utilise their professional networks, and attend industry-specific networking events.

By gaining work experience and internships during their university studies, students can enhance their employability and make a smooth transition from academia to the working world.

Student refunds and compensation

Students at universities are paying customers and, as such, are entitled to refunds and compensation in certain circumstances.

Students can claim financial compensation for any breaches of the study agreement. This includes cancelled classes, strikes, and the university failing to ensure learning outcomes and prospects set out in promotional materials. For example, if a student's learning has been affected by lecturer strikes, they might be entitled to claim compensation. If a programme of study is closed, suspended, or significantly modified, the university will consider refunding tuition costs and/or paying discretionary compensation.

Students can contact their university directly to discuss their claim and determine whether they have grounds for a refund or compensation. Alternatively, they can use a claims company, which will handle the compensation claim on their behalf. These companies work on a "no-win, no-fee" basis, taking a percentage of the total compensation as payment.

In 2020, King's College London refunded over £640,000 to more than 500 students, with individual payouts ranging from £122 to £4,500.

Student rights and disciplinary action

Student discipline is the system of rules and consequences a school uses to manage student behaviour. Discipline is an integral part of a student's education, helping to maintain a productive school environment and teaching students about accountability and respect for rules. While discipline is necessary, the rights of students must also be respected during the disciplinary process. This balance is crucial for the success of any school's discipline policy.

Students have the right to know the rules beforehand. They have the right to challenge accusations and prove their innocence. In some states, students who are suspended have the right to instruction at home. Students with IEPs and 504 plans have extra protections under federal law. These rights are not an excuse for breaking rules, but they help everyone understand the cause and require schools to try to reduce and prevent misbehaviour.

When a child is removed from school, preventing them from receiving services, this is called a change in placement. The school must immediately notify parents or caregivers in writing of the change and inform them about their legal rights (called procedural safeguards). The school must also continue to provide the student with the services in the IEP or 504 plan, wherever the student is.

If a student's behaviour is caused by a disability, the school might change the IEP or the student's behavioural intervention plan instead of taking disciplinary action. A manifestation hearing may be held to determine if the misbehaviour was caused by the student's disability.

Students are entitled to due process rights, which means they have the right to an informal hearing with school personnel before severe disciplinary action is taken. Here, the student can present their side of the story. They have the right to know the charges against them and be allowed to respond. A neutral hearing officer will help ensure the student's voice is heard and that the process is fair.

Students also have the right to receive educational services, which may be in alternative schooling or home-based learning programs to ensure the student's fully functional education.

Frequently asked questions