JOURNAL OF BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

ISSN NO : 2995-620X

The Journal of Business Leadership and Management is committed to advancing the understanding of effective leadership and management practices in the dynamic landscape of business. Our journal aims to provide a platform for academics, practitioners, researchers, and thought leaders to share insights, research findings, and strategies that contribute to informed decision-making and organizational success.

  • 527
    Views
  • 0
    CrossRef citations to date

How Thai Universities Can Better Prepare Graduates For The Workplace

1 International College, King Mongkut’s University Of Technology North Bangkok,,Thailand

Volume 2

Issue 1

Page: [1 - 9]

Published Online: February 5, 2024

  • Abstract

    Thai Universities Play A Crucial Role In Preparing Learners To Be Productive Members Of Society. This Study Looks At How Universities Prepare Students For Work And What Can Be Done To Improve The Process. Using A Mixed Method Approach Involving A Survey Of University Students’ Opinions, A Focus Group Of Hiring Managers Interviews, And Interviews With Lecturers, A Holistic View Is Achieved From The Main Stakeholders. The Stakeholders Show Significant Dissonance Among Expectations. These Differences Stem From Many Sources, Mainly, The Lack Of Shared And Open Information. Students Enter University Without A Clear Goal Or A Realistic Informed Prospectus. Lecturers Try To Bridge The Gap Between What Is Expected To Be Delivered And What Industry Needs. However, Lecturers Are Working Against A Tide Of Reluctance From Students’ Aptitude And Abilities, Faculty Realities And Fractured Industries That Do Not Share. Human Resources Personnel Seem Not To Have A Clear Idea Of What Is Expected From Graduates, Especially In A Dynamic Environment. What Employers Want Varies Widely, Making Training Difficult. Even When Students Enter The Workforce With The Creative Energies Required, The Established Systems Stifle Growth. Having Greater Interaction Among The Parties Would Help Reduce The Differences In Expectations. The Interactions Need To Be Continual Throughout The Students’ Time At University. Flexible Programs And More Internships Would Allow Students To Better Understand How What Is Taught Can Be Applied. Lecturers Would Have Access To More Relevant Data And With Class Discussions Being More Informed. Companies Can Structure Onboarding Programs Better As Students Would Have Experience An Introductory Phase. More Exchanges Among Stakeholders Are Required.

    Keywords: Student Employment Thai Universities Employability Dynamic Environment Stakeholders Lecturers

  • Figures

    Figure Image

  • References

      • [1]Arnold, N. (2021, April 19). Education, Policy. Retrieved from The American Conservative: https://www.theamericanconservative. com/articles/fast-track-themerits- of-short-term-credentialing/
      • [2]Asian Institute of Technology (2020 Apr. 20). Preparing Graduates for the Job Market. Retrieved from https://www. ait.ac.th/2020/04/preparing-graduates- for-the-job-market/
      • [3]Ayodele, T.O. (2019), “Career choice of real estate students in Nigeria: The explaining influences in comparative perspective”, Property Management, Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 154-176. https://doi.org/10.1108/ PM-02-2018-0013
      • [4]British Council (n.d.) The future of internationalising Thai higher education. Retrieved from https://www.britishcouncil.or.th/ en/hep-conversations-tne
      • [5]Bawica, I.M. (2021). The Effects of Internship Program on the Employability Readiness. International Journal of Academe and Industry Research, Vol 2, Iss. 3, pp. 86-101.
      • [6]Bolli, T., Caves, K. & Oswald-Egg, M.E. Valuable Experience: How University Internships Affect Graduates’ Income. Research in Higher Education 62, 1198– 1247 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/ s11162-021-09637-9
      • [7]Carrera, M. (2022, August). Understanding Thai university students ‘preparedness for university. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Education (Vol. 8, No. 01, pp. 113-124).
      • [8]Chaiyong, S. (2021, Mar. 15). Helping students help themselves. Bangkok Post. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/ life/social-and-lifestyle/2083735/helping- students-help-themselves
      • [9]Cheng, M., Adekola, O., Albia, J. and Cai, S. (2022), “Employability in higher education: a review of key stakeholders’ perspectives”, Higher Education Evaluation and Development, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 16-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/ HEED-03-2021-0025
      • [10]Chitviriyakul, A. (2023, Mar. 5). Students fear job prospects. Bangkok Post Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/ thailand/special-reports/2520665/students- fear-for-job-prospects
      • [11]De Vos, A., Jacobs, S., & Verbruggen, M. (2021). Career transitions and employability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 126, 103475.
      • [12]Donald, W. E., Ashleigh, M. J., & Baruch, Y. (2018). Students’ perceptions of education and employability: Facilitating career transition from higher education into the labor market. Career Development International, 23(5), 513-540.
      • [13]Ehrmantraut, L., Pinger, P., & Stans, R. (2020). The expected (signaling) value of higher education. IZA Discussion Paper No. 13729, Available at SSRN: https:// ssrn.com/abstract=3699846
      • [14]Fried, R.L. (2020, Mar. 18). Preparing college students for career and life means changing the academic paradigm. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/ digital-learning/views/2020/03/18/preparing-college-students-career- and-life-means-changing-academic
      • [15]Ghuangpeng, S. (2011). Factors influencing career decision-making: a comparative study of Thai and Australian tourism and hospitality students (Doctoral dissertation, Victoria University). Retrieved from https://vuir.vu.edu.au/19360/
      • [16]Israel, G. D. (1992). Determining sample size. IFAS, University of Florida. Retrieved from https://www.tarleton.edu/academicassessment/ documents/samplesize. pdf
      • [17]Jeotee, K. (2012) Reasoning skills, problem solving ability and academic ability: implications for study programme and career choice in the context of higher education in Thailand. Doctoral thesis, Durham University. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/3380/
      • [18]Kitsawad, K. (2013). An investigation of factors affecting high school student’s choice of university in Thailand. Doctoral thesis, University of Wollongong. Retrieved from https://ro.uow. edu.au/do/search/?q=Kamol%20Kitsawad& start=0&context=562110&- facet=
      • [19]McDevitt, T. M., Hess, C. A., Leesatayakun, M., Sheehan, E. P., & Kaufeld, K. A. (2013). A cross-sectional study of career aspirations in Thai children in an international school in Bangkok. Journal of Career Development, 40(6), 531-550.
      • [20]Mncayi, N. P. (2021, April 14). South African graduates may be mostly employed, but skills and jobs often don’t match. Retrieved from The Conversation : https://theconversation.com/southafrican- graduates-may-be-mostlyemployed- but-skills-and-jobs-oftendont- match-157432
      • [21]O’Higgins, N. & Pinedo, L. (2018). Interns and outcomes: Just how effective are internships as a bridge to stable employment? ILO Employment Working Paper No. 241 - Retrieved from https:// www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/- --ed_emp/documents/publication/ wcms_637362.pdf
      • [22]Rochanasak, S., & Chakkaew, W. (2015). Thai University Students’ Preparations for Job Opportunities: Competitiveness and Tough Competition Ahead of the Up-Coming ASEAN/AEC Integration. Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University Journal, 9(2), 33-46
      • [23]Rouder, J., Saucier, O., Kinder, R., & Jans, M. (2021). What to do with all those open-ended responses? Data visualization techniques for survey researchers. Survey Practice. https://doi.org/10.29115/SP-2021- 0008
      • [24]Sittichai, R. (2012). Why are there dropouts among university students? Experiences in a Thai University. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(2), 283-289
      • [25]Skrbiš, Z., & Laughland-Booÿ, J. (2019). Technology, change, and uncertainty: Maintaining career confidence in the early 21st century. New Technology, Work and Employment, 34(3), 191-207
      • [26]Smith, E. (2010). Employability skills, Ed(s): Peterson, P., Baker, E., & McGaw, B. International Encyclopedia of Education (3rd Edition), Elsevier, 368-375, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08- 044894-7.00783-1.
      • [27]TBS-AIM: Thammasat Business School – Advanced Institute of Mentorship (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.tbs.tu.ac. th/en/aim/
      • [28]Thai PBS World (2020, Nov. 20) About 900,000 university graduates are likely to be jobless. Retrieved from https://www. thaipbsworld.com/about-900000-university- graduates-this-year-and-nextare- likely-to-be-jobless/
      • [29]Times Higher Education (2023). World University Rankings 2023, Thailand, Retrieved from https://www. timeshighereducation.com/world-university- rankings/2023/world-ranking#!/ length/25/locations/THA/sort_ by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats
      • [30]Tolentino, L. R., Sibunruang, H., & Garcia, P. R. J. M. (2019). The Role of Self-Monitoring and Academic Effort in Students’ Career Adaptability and Job Search Self-Efficacy. Journal of Career Assessment, 27(4), 726–740. https://doi. org/10.1177/1069072718816715
      • [31]Vandeweyer, M., Espinoza, R., Reznikova, L., Lee, M., & Herabat, T. (2020). Thailand’s education system and skills imbalances: Assessment and policy recommendations. OECD Working Paper1641. Retrieved from https://one.oecd.org/document/ECO/ WKP(2020)49/En/pdf
      • [32]Wattanacharoensil, W., Talawanich, S., & Jianvittayakit, L. (2020). Multiple qualitative procedures to elicit reverse culture shock experience. MethodsX, 7, 100766.
      • [33]Wikipedia (2023). YouTube. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube
      • [34]Wiley (2021). Digital skills gap index 2021. Retrieved from https://dsgi.wiley.com/
  • Article Metrics

    Views

    527
  • Copyright and Permissions

    At Guinness Press, authors retain the copyright for all articles published in our journals. These articles are licensed under the open-access Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, granting free access for reading and download. Additionally, the original published version must be appropriately cited when reusing or quoting the article. These terms ensure widespread accessibility while ensuring proper attribution to the authors.

    All content published by Guinness Press is safeguarded by international copyright and intellectual property regulations. We kindly request that you honor these protections when utilizing our materials.

    For further information, please contact us at info@guinnesspress.org.