Tertiary student perceptions of the benefits of professional career management education: an exploratory study

Responding to the relatively poor employment outcomes of university graduates, Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia has embarked on a strategy of investment in career development for all students. One part of this strategy is to implement a career development subject as an elective for all students. The subject was developed in the School of Management with significant input from staff in the Student Career Development Unit. It is designed to extend job search skills, self‐awareness, and strategies for the achievement of employment goals. Students evaluated the subject in June and in October of 2002 – the first year of its delivery. The results showed that students perceived the subject to be extremely valuable to their career prospects.