Gracia, Louise. (2009) Employability and higher education: contextualising female students' workplace experiences to enhance understanding of employability development. Journal of Education and Work, Vol.22 (No.4). pp. 301-318. ISSN 1363-9080

PDF WRAP_Gracia_Employability.pdf - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader Download (300Kb)

Abstract

Current political and economic discourses position employability as a responsibility of higher education, which deploys mechanisms such as supervised work experience (SWE) to embed employability skills development into the undergraduate curriculum. However, workplaces are socially constructed complex arenas of embodied knowledge that are gendered. Understanding the usefulness of SWE therefore requires consideration of the contextualised experiences of it, within these complex environments. This study considers higher education's use of SWE as a mechanism of employability skills development through exploration of female students' experiences of accounting SWE, and its subsequent shaping of their views of employment. Findings suggest that women experience numerous, indirect gender-based inequalities within their accounting SWE about which higher education is silent, perpetuating the framing of employability as a set of individual skills and abilities. This may limit the potential of SWE to provide equality of employability development. The study concludes by briefly considering how insights provided by this research could better inform higher education's engagement with SWE within the employability discourse, and contribute to equality of employability development opportunity.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Accounting Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	College graduates -- Employment -- Great Britain, Wages -- Effect of education on -- Great Britain, Women employees -- Great Britain, Women college students -- Economic conditions, Employability -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Education and Work
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	1363-9080
Date:	September 2009
Volume:	Vol.22
Number:	No.4
Number of Pages:	18
Page Range:	pp. 301-318
Identification Number:	10.1080/13639080903290454
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
References:	# 1. Adkins, L. (2003) Reflexivity: Freedom or habit of gender?. Theory, Culture and Society 20:6 , pp. 21-42. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 2. Ahl, H. (2004) The scientific reproduction of gender inequity: A discourse analysis of research texts on women's entrepreneurship SBS Press , Copenhagen [your library's links] # 3. Ahmed, K., Alam, K. F. and Alam, M. (1997) An empirical study of factors affecting accounting students' career choice in New Zealand. Accounting Education: An International Journal 6:4 , pp. 325-339. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 4. Anderson-Gough, F., Grey, C. and Robson, K. (2002) Accounting professionals and the accounting profession: Linking conduct and context. Accounting and Business Research 32:1 , pp. 41-56. [your library's links] # 5. Auburn, T. (2007) Identity and placement learning: Students' accounts of the transition back to university following a placement year. Studies in Higher Education 32:1 , pp. 117-133. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 6. Blasko, Z., Brennan, J., Little, B. and Shah, T. (2002) Access to what? Analysis of factors determining graduate employability HEFCE, Centre for Higher Education Research and Information , London [your library's links] # 7. Boler, M. (1999) Feeling power: Emotions and education Routledge , London [your library's links] # 8. Bourdieu, P. (2000) Pascalian meditations Polity Press , Cambridge [your library's links] # 9. Bourdieu, P. (2001) Masculine domination Polity Press , Cambridge [your library's links] # 10. Bourdieu, P. and Wacquant, L. (1992) An invitation to reflexive sociology Chicago University Press , Chicago [your library's links] # 11. Broadbent, J. (1998) The gendered nature of 'Accounting Logic': Pointers to an accounting that encompasses multiple values. Critical Perspectives on Accounting 9:3 , pp. 267-297. [your library's links] # 12. Brooks, A. (1997) Academic women Open University Press , Buckingham [your library's links] # 13. Brown, M. (2002) Feeling like a fully fledged psychologist. Psychologist 15:12 , pp. 629-641. [your library's links] # 14. Brown, P. (2003) The opportunity trap: Education and employment in a global economy. European Educational Research Journal 2:1 , pp. 141-179. [your library's links] # 15. Brown, P., Hesketh, A. and Williams, S. (2003) Employability in a knowledge-driven economy. Journal of Education and Work 16:2 , pp. 107-126. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 16. Chambers, C. (2005) Masculine domination, radical feminism and change: Comparing Bourdieu and MacKinnon. Feminist Theory 6:3 , pp. 325-346. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 17. Crompton, R. and Lyonette, C. (2007) Women's career success and work-life 'balance' in the accountancy and medical professions in Britain. City University , London — GeNet Working Paper No. 26 [your library's links] # 18. DfES (2003) The future of higher education DfES , London [your library's links] # 19. Duignan, J. (2003) Placement and adding value to the academic performance of undergraduates: Reconfiguring the architecture - An empirical investigation. Journal of Vocational Education and Training 55 , pp. 335-350. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 20. Dykxhoorn, H. J. and Sinning, K. E. (1999) Perceptions of master of accountancy graduates concerning their job search and employment experiences with public accounting firms. Journal of Accounting Education 14:4 , pp. 415-434. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 21. Equal Opportunities Commission (2007) Sex and power E.O.C , London [your library's links] # 22. Fawcett Society (2008) Closing the inequality gap Fawcett Society , London [your library's links] # 23. Garsten, C. and Jacobsson, K. (eds) (2003) Learning to be employable: An introduction. Learning to be employable: New agendas on work, responsibility and learning in a globalizing world pp. 2-14. Palgrave Macmillan , London [your library's links] # 24. Gillen, M. (1993) New models of co-operative education in Australia. Paper presented at the 8th World Conference on Co-operative Education Dublin City University pp. 43-44. [your library's links] # 25. Goleman, D. (1995) Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ Bantam , New York [your library's links] # 26. Halford, S. and Leonard, P. (2001) Gender, power and organisations Palgrave , London [your library's links] # 27. Harvey, L. (2000) New realities: The relationship between higher education and employment. Tertiary Education and Management 6 , pp. 3-17. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 28. Harvey, L. (2001) Defining and measuring employability. Quality in Higher Education 7:2 , pp. 97-109. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 29. Harvey, L., Locke, W. and Morey, A. (2002) Enhancing employability, recognising diversity: Making links between higher education and the world of work Universities UK , London [your library's links] # 30. Haynes, K. (2006) (Re)figuring accounting and maternal bodies: The gendered embodiment of accounting professionals. Department of Management Studies, University of York , York — Working Paper 16 [your library's links] # 31. Haynes, K. and Fearful, A. (2007) 'Real Business'?: Gendered identities in accounting and management academia. Universities of Leeds , Sheffield/York — Working Paper 31 [your library's links] # 32. Johnston, B. (2003) The shape of research in the field of higher education and graduate employment: Some issues. Studies in Higher Education 28:4 , pp. 413-426. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 33. Johnson, R. and Kyriacou, O. (2006) Accounting for (in)visibilities: Resistance, gender and control. Accountancy Business and the Public Interest 5:2 , pp. 54-88. [your library's links] # 34. Keep, E. and Mayhew, K. (1996) Economic demand for higher education - A sound foundation for further expansion?. Higher Education Quarterly 50:2 , pp. 89-109. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 35. Kerfoot, D. Hassard, J., Holliday, R. and Willmott, H. (eds) (1999) Body work: Estrangement, disembodiment and the organisational 'Other'. Body and organization pp. 230-246. Sage , London [your library's links] # 36. Kiesling, S. F. (2005) Homosocial desire in men's talk: Balancing and re-creating cultural discourses of masculinity. Language in Society 34 , pp. 695-726. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 37. Kirkham, L. M. (1992) Integrating her story and history in accountancy. Accounting, Organizations and Society 17:3-4 , pp. 287-297. [your library's links] # 38. Kirkham, L. M. and Loft, A. (1993) Gender and the construction of the professional accountant. Accounting, Organizations and Society 18:6 , pp. 507-558. [your library's links] # 39. Lehman, C. R. (1992) 'Herstory' in accounting: The first eighty years. Accounting, Organizations and Society 17:3-4 , pp. 221-285. [your library's links] # 40. Leitch Report (2006) Prosperity for all in the global economy - World class skills HM Treasury , London [your library's links] # 41. Lovell, T. (2000) Thinking feminism with and against Bourdieu. Feminist Theory 1:1 , pp. 11-32. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 42. MacKinnon, C. (1989) Toward a feminist theory of the state Harvard University Press , Cambridge [your library's links] # 43. Maupin, R. and Lehman, C. (1994) Talking heads: Stereotypes, status, sex roles and satisfaction of female and male auditors. Accounting, Organizations and Society 19:4-5 , pp. 427-436. [your library's links] # 44. McDowell, L. (1997) Capital culture: Gender at work in the city Blackwell , Oxford [your library's links] # 45. Moreau, M. P. and Leathwood, C. (2006) Graduates' employment and the discourse of employability: a critical analysis. Journal of Education and Work 19:4 , pp. 305-324. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 46. Morley, L. (2001) Producing new workers: Quality, equality and employability in higher education. Quality in Higher Education 7:2 , pp. 150-162. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 47. Parkin, F. Parkin, F. (ed) (1974) Strategies of social closure in class formation. The social analysis of class structure pp. 1-18. Tavistock , London [your library's links] # 48. Professional Oversight Board for Accountancy (2005) Review of training and development in the accountancy profession Financial Reporting Council , London [your library's links] # 49. Purcell, K., Morley, M. and Rowley, G. (2002) Employers in the new graduate labour market: Recruiting from a wider spectrum of graduates CIHE-ESRU , London [your library's links] # 50. QAA (Qualities Assurance Agency) (2001) The framework for higher education in England, Wales and northern Ireland — http://qaa.ac.uk/crnwork/nqf/ewni2001.html. (accessed 21/10/2008) [your library's links] # 51. Ryder, K. G. and Wilson, J. W. (1987) Cooperative education in a new era: Understanding and strengthening the links between college and the workplace Jossey Bass , San Francisco [your library's links] # 52. Sedgwick, E. (1985) Between men: English literature and male homosocial desire Columbia University Press , Columbia [your library's links] # 53. Skeggs, B. (1991) Challenging masculinity and using sexuality. British Journal of Sociology and Education 12:2 , pp. 127-139. [your library's links] [informaworld] # 54. The Female FTSE Report (2007) A year of encouraging progress International Centre for Women Business Leaders, Cranfield University School of Management , Bedford [your library's links] # 55. Tracy, S. (2001) Becoming a character of commerce. Management communication quarterly 14:1 , pp. 90-128. [your library's links] # 56. Wallace, R. and Murray, B. (1999) Good practice in industrial work placement. Report for the UK HEFCE Funded Project Improve Nottingham Trent University — http://science.ntu.ac.uk/chph/improve/gpiwp.html. (accessed 03/05/2008) [your library's links] # 57. Wass, V. and McNabb, R. (2006) Pay, promotion and parenthood. Work, Employment and Society 20:2 , pp. 289-308. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 58. Webb, J., Schirato, T. and Danaher, G. (2002) Understanding Bourdieu Sage , London [your library's links] # 59. Westcott, S. H. and Seiler, R. E. (1986) Women in the accounting profession Marcus Weiner , New York [your library's links] # 60. Whiting, R. H. and Wright, C. (2001) Explaining gender inequity in the New Zealand accounting profession. British Accounting Review 33:2 , pp. 191-222. [your library's links] [ crossref ] # 61. Witz, A. (1992) Professions and patriarchy Routledge , London [your library's links] # 62. Yorke, M. and Knight, P. (2004) Embedding employability in the curriculum. Learning and employability guides LTSN-ESECT , York [your library's links] # 63. Zemblyas, M. (2006) Work-based learning, power and subjectivity: Creating space for a Foucauldian research ethic. Journal of Education and Work 19:3 , pp. 291-303.
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/2652

Request changes to a record

Actions (login required)

View Item