This document summarizes a presentation given by two students, Ryan Thompson and Chris Harper, about their experiences transitioning from university to industry. It discusses the role of universities in today's knowledge-based economy, with universities seen as the "source of strength" that provides prosperity. The presentation addresses whether workplace skills are taught at university or acquired through work experience, and how this relates to the knowledge economy. Finally, it outlines the students' own experiences, such as industrial placements, and conclusions about preparing for the transition from education to career.

1. Student
Engagement,
Experience
and
Advice
Ryan
Thompson
[Ginsters]
Chris
Harper
[Accenture]

2. Agenda
“Making the Transition”
•

3. “Sources of Strength”
“Just as castles provided the source of strength for medieval towns,
and factories provided prosperity in the industrial age, universities
are the source of strength in the knowledge-based economy of
the twenty-first century”
(Attributed to Lord Dearing; see Wilson, 2012).

4. “Supply Chain to Industry”?
Are “workplace skills” taught at University or acquired in work? How
does this fit within a “knowledge-based economy”?
• Wilson Review (2012); Czarniawska (2003)
• Shaping up for the Knowledge Economy (2010)

5. Supply Chain: an interesting metaphor
• My experiences…
• Industrial Placement 2011-12
• >3m units per week
• A “Grocer” top-100 company

6. Dissertation Research
What is today’s “Knowledge Economy” about?
• Drucker (1969) – “Central Capital”. How is change negotiated?
• Self-efficacy and agency; Bandura (1989)

7. Interviews and Findings
• ‘Define your niche’
“So@ness”
of
Systems
Self-­‐
efficacy
PreparaGon
• Negotiation with others
Blurred
roles
Outside
experience
• Utilise external interest

8. Conclusions about the transition…
Preparing
for
the
“ transition”
1.
2.
3.
4.
Encourage
self-­‐efficacy
“Supply-­‐chain”
seems
determinist
Agency
involves
adaptation
“Knowledge”
is
subjective

9. References
Bandura, A. (1989). ‘Human Agency in Social Cognitive Theory’ American Psychologist 44(9): 1175-1184
Checkland, P. (2000). ‘Soft Systems Methodology: A Thirty Year Retrospective’ Systems Research and
Behavioural Science 17: 11-58
Czarniawska, B. (2003). ‘Forbidden Knowledge Organization Theory in Times of Transition’ Management
Learning 34(3): 353–365
Drucker, P. F. (1969). The Age of Discontinuity London: Heinemann
Levy, C., and Hopkins, L. (2010). Shaping Up For Innovation: Are we delivering the right skills for the 2020
knowledge economy? A Knowledge Economy programme report.
Wilson, T. (2012). A Review of Business–University Collaboration
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32383/12-610-wilsonreview-business-university-collaboration.pdf