Tracking and Profiling Successful IT Graduates

This paper presents the findings of the UTS Successful Graduates Research Project which was undertaken by the UTS Planning and Quality Unit (PQU) in partnership with UTS Faculties, professional bodies and key industry organisations between 2001 and 2004. It consisted of a linked set of studies tracking successful graduates from any university in their first years of professional practice after graduation in the unique context of each profession. The results demonstrate that, although a high level of technical, profession-specific knowledge is necessary for successful practice, it is clearly not sufficient. A range of emotional intelligence, cognitive capabilities and generic skills are identified as critical success factors. Indeed, one of the key findings is that it is the combination of key elements of emotional intelligence, cognitive capabilities, generic and job specific skills and knowledge that is telling, not excellence in one domain. The results have important implications for current curriculum design and assessment in universities and for recruitment criteria in the areas investigated. Strategies for inculcating emotional intelligence in graduates are suggested