II. Chapters in the Self-Study Report
3. Career Pathways Map
A Career Pathways Map is a simple visual representation of the types of careers available to graduates of the program undergoing review. The Map benefits students in numerous ways. Because students often have difficulty aligning what they have learned with employment possibilities, the Map can provide students useful information about post-graduation options they may have never imagined. It may also clarify decision-making processes as students select electives, explore internships and embark on research projects as part of their employment preparation. The Map also aids prospective students as they choose programs, majors and begin to build towards their future.
The Career Pathways Map can also illuminate realities and/or identify possibilities that even faculty may not have considered. A recent Forbes article revealed a Liberal Arts degree - while generally not associated with a specific career trajectory – has become one of Silicon Valley’s most sought-after degrees (Anders, 2015). The competencies the
degree bestows upon graduates – the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, write persuasively, conduct data-driven research, and sift through opposing viewpoints – are manifold and can offer a myriad of traditional and non-traditional career options. Being aware of these options can enable faculty to emphasize transferable competencies more effectively in their curriculum. A Career Pathways Map can shed light on graduate success stories as well as provide faculty fresh ways of making connections between the curriculum and employment.
For the purposes of program review, the Career Pathways Map should be developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders. These include but should not be limited to advisory boards, current prospective employers, professional associations, alumni, sector/industry leaders and employment databases. KPU’s Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) department is on hand to provide information on employment trends and projections. The Career Pathways Map could also include post-graduate programs. While these are not technically employment, they may include a vital next step for students and should be considered when assessing how well a program prepares its graduates for life beyond KPU.
The Career Pathways Map can take a variety of forms depending on a program’s structure, aims and post-graduate options. Two examples are provided in the following pages.
Marketing
Promotional Material
Sales
Advertising Public
Relations Distribution
EXAMPLE 1: MARKETING CAREER PATHWAYS MAP
(Taken from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2013, p. 14)
Media Management
EXAMPLE 2: HISTORY CAREER PATHWAYS MAP
Industry/Sector Possible Careers Potential Next Steps
Academia History Professor
Researcher
(e.g. journalism or advertising)
Business Bankers
Master of Library Science Specialized programs
Law Judicial Clerk
Law Clerk Lawyer
Legal Secretary Paralegal
LL.B.
K-12 Education History Teacher School Administrator
B.Ed. or Teaching Certificate M.A. or M.Ed.
Works Cited
American Historical Association. (2013). AHA History Tuning Project: History Discipline Core.
Retrieved from
file:///K:/My%20Documents/Tuning%20the%20Curriculum/AHA%20History%20Tuning%2 0Project_%20History%20Discipline%20Core.html
Anders, G. (2015). That ‘useless’ Liberal Arts degree has become tech’s hottest ticket. Forbes, August 16, 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeanders/2015/07/29/liberal-arts-degree-tech/
Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. et al (Eds.). (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Boston, MA:
Allyn & Bacon.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University. (2013). Kwantlen Polytechnic University Strategic Plan:
Vision 2018. Retrieved from http://www.kpu.ca/__shared/assets/strategic-plan-vision-201826051.pdf
Kwantlen Polytechnic University. (2014). 2013 Student Satisfaction Survey: Report of Findings.
Retrieved from
http://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Institutional%20Analysis%20and%20Planning/stud ent_satisfactions_survey_october_2013_latest.pdf
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. (2013). Making Opportunity Affordable in Texas:
A Student-Centered Approach – Tuning of Business. Retrieved from http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=5D845BC6-9F92-98CF-542F09F82E0A31C0
Planning Began
Report
Approved Site Visit Report Received
Report Approved
Funding
Approved Due Report
Received
Arts Criminology 2009 Mar-12 Nov-12 Jun-13 Mar-13 Feb-14 Apr-15Revision
needed Revision required.
Arts English Sep-12 Feb-14 Mar-14 May-14 Oct-14 Mar-15 Oct-15 Nov-15One-Year Follow-Up Report
submitted.
Arts Journalism Jan-16 Very early initial planning stages.
Will move forward in January 2016.
Arts Music 2011 Feb-14 Apr-14 May-14 Action plan under development.
Arts Sociology Sep-15 Initial planning stages.
Arts Fine Arts Oct-15 Initial planning stages.
Administrative data sent to team.
Business BTech IT + Cert
and Dipl 2010 Sep-13 Nov-13 Jan-14 Sep-14 Sep-15 Action plan funding not applied for.
Business Public Relations Sep-15
Administrative data and timeline sent to Coordinator. In process of drafting surveys.
Progress Update Faculty Program
Self-Study External Review Action Plan One-Year Follow-up
Planning Began
Report
Approved Site Visit Report Received
Report Approved
Funding
Approved Due Report
Received
Progress Update Faculty Program
Self-Study External Review Action Plan One-Year Follow-up
Business
Business Management Certificate and Diploma
Sep-15
Administrative data and timeline sent to Chair. In process of drating surveys.
Business Legal Admin May-13 Self-Study Report still in progress.
Business Human Resource
Management BBA May-14
Student and faculty surveys completed; awaiting feedback from SST on Alumni and Industry surveys
Business Entrepreneurial
Leadership BBA May-14
Student and faculty surveys completed; awaiting feedback from SST on Alumni and Industry surveys
Business
Business Administration Diploma
Sep-14 Planning was stalled. About to
resume December 2015.
Business Associate of Arts
in Economics Sep-14 Planning was stalled. About to
resume December 2015.
Planning Began
Report
Approved Site Visit Report Received
Report Approved
Funding
Approved Due Report
Received
Progress Update Faculty Program
Self-Study External Review Action Plan One-Year Follow-up
Health
Graduate Nurse International Education Re-Entry
Sep-15 Administrative data sent to Chair.
Surveys in progress.
Science Engineering Sep-15 Initial planning stages. Timeline
created and confirmed by Chair.
Trades
Computer Aided Design and Drafting
Jun-14 Sep-15
Revised Self-Study received.
Uploaded on Sharepoint. External Review planning underway.