Aston University Placements Strategy 2020

Carolina SalinasDeputy Head of Placements

• Facts and figures

• Employability – the team

• Internationalisation: a strategic approach

• Levers and challenges

Today

Aston 2020

• 100% placements by 2020

• 35% of those Abroad

• Student experience

• Student achievement

Facts & figures

2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/150

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150

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Placements Abroad – Work & Study

Study

Work

25% of UG placed students are on placement overseas

65% English speaking

Top locations:China/HKUSAAustraliaKoreaSpain FranceGermanyNetherlandsChile

Employability - The Team

Dedicated International Placements Team within the Employability Dept

Embedded in Internationalisation Strategy

Aston’s approach:Research informed agendaNot just placements: developing cultural capitalBut placements at the centre Top down strategy helps with wider buy-inUnderpins volume activities which gives

placements regular visibility and platforms to promote the international placements message

Examples of presence:International Committees and NetworksAcademic foraEvents ie One World Week, Freshers’ WeekOpen DaysOn campus ConferencesCross–team collaborations ie International Office, Alumni

Strategic Levers

Top down commitment to placements and outward mobility

Academic, wider University’s buy-in Lower placement fee (most cases exempted)Campus placements cultureCompulsory placements in some areas Central Team

Aston’s tradition and DNA Doing international placements for over 30 years

Internationalisation initiativesUniversity Wide Language ProgrammeIntercultural Awareness Sessions for students and staff

Student engagementDeliver the same message in multiple ways, via multiple channels, multiple times Be creative, try again… and again

Student misperceptions of Placements Abroad - MythsScaryExpensiveOnly for language students

Academic collaboration - ongoing workPockets of resistance, lack of engagement Pockets of scepticism (particularly with

Study Abroad)

Challenges

GRACIAS THANK YOU

Danke TackMerci Obrigado Grazie

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