Towards Sustainability in University Education. Improving University Graduates Chances of Employability by Participation in a High Achievement Academic Program

[EN] This piece of research focusses on the sustainable development goal (SDG) number four of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: quality education. The main objective of this research was to determine whether introducing a High Achievement Academic Program (ARA Groups) at a Spanish public university could enhance its graduates' employability. According to the existing scientific literature, some variables related to the students' accomplishments during college are good predictors of future employability: academic performance, participation in international exchanges, and participation in traineeships. In the empirical part of this research, our objective was to compare, using descriptive and bivariate statistical analysis, the behavior of the students of the ARA Groups and the regular ones, regarding a set of variables related to the above-mentioned predictors of employability. The outcomes allow us to conclude that ARA students performed academically better and that they participated more in international exchanges. Participation in business internships did not present significant differences, although ARA students scored higher in the employers' assessment of the internship. Our results suggest that graduates of this program will be more sought-after by companies, and therefore it contributes positively to one of the key objectives of quality higher education, which is employability, and hence to sustainable development.Moya Clemente, I.; Ribes-Giner, G.; Sanahuja Velez, G. (2020). Towards Sustainability in University Education. Improving University Graduates Chances of Employability by Participation in a High Achievement Academic Program. Sustainability. 12(2):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020680117122Global Sustainable Development Report 2019 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/Venkataraman, B. (2009). Education for Sustainable Development. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 51(2), 8-10. doi:10.3200/envt.51.2.08-10Mihelcic, J. R., Naughton, C. C., Verbyla, M. E., Zhang, Q., Schweitzer, R. W., Oakley, S. M., … Whiteford, L. M. (2017). The Grandest Challenge of All: The Role of Environmental Engineering to Achieve Sustainability in the World’s Developing Regions. Environmental Engineering Science, 34(1), 16-41. doi:10.1089/ees.2015.0334Jackson, M. (2009). Disadvantaged through discrimination? The role of employers in social stratification1. The British Journal of Sociology, 60(4), 669-692. doi:10.1111/j.1468-4446.2009.01270.xOwens, T. L. (2017). Higher education in the sustainable development goals framework. European Journal of Education, 52(4), 414-420. doi:10.1111/ejed.12237Daniela, L., Visvizi, A., Gutiérrez-Braojos, C., & Lytras, M. (2018). Sustainable Higher Education and Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL). Sustainability, 10(11), 3883. doi:10.3390/su10113883Unterhalter, E. (2019). The Many Meanings of Quality Education: Politics of Targets and Indicators inSDG4. Global Policy, 10(S1), 39-51. doi:10.1111/1758-5899.12591Boeren, E. (2019). Understanding Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on «quality education» from micro, meso and macro perspectives. International Review of Education, 65(2), 277-294. doi:10.1007/s11159-019-09772-7Psacharopoulos, G., & Patrinos, H. A. (2018). Returns to investment in education: a decennial review of the global literature. Education Economics, 26(5), 445-458. doi:10.1080/09645292.2018.1484426Bridgstock, R. (2009). The graduate attributes we’ve overlooked: enhancing graduate employability through career management skills. Higher Education Research & Development, 28(1), 31-44. doi:10.1080/07294360802444347Rothwell, A., Jewell, S., & Hardie, M. (2009). Self-perceived employability: Investigating the responses of post-graduate students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75(2), 152-161. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2009.05.002Baird, L. L. (1985). Do grades and tests predict adult accomplishment? Research in Higher Education, 23(1), 3-85. doi:10.1007/bf00974070Baker, C. N. (2008). Under-represented college students and extracurricular involvement: the effects of various student organizations on academic performance. Social Psychology of Education, 11(3), 273-298. doi:10.1007/s11218-007-9050-yBrown, B. K., & Campion, M. A. (1994). Biodata phenomenology: Recruiters’ perceptions and use of biographical information in resume screening. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79(6), 897-908. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.79.6.897Campion, M. A. (1978). Identification of Variables Most Influential in Determining Interviewers’ Evaluations of Applicants in a College Placement Center. Psychological Reports, 42(3), 947-952. doi:10.2466/pr0.1978.42.3.947Cole, M. S., Feild, H. S., & Giles, W. F. (2003). Using Recruiter Assessments of Applicants’ Resume Content to Predict Applicant Mental Ability and Big Five Personality Dimensions. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 11(1), 78-88. doi:10.1111/1468-2389.00228Devaraj, S., & Babu, S. R. (2004). How to measure the relationship between training and job performance. Communications of the ACM, 47(5), 62-67. doi:10.1145/986213.986214Ferris, K. R. (1982). Educational predictors of professional pay and performance. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 7(3), 225-230. doi:10.1016/0361-3682(82)90003-4Gokuladas, V. K. (2011). Predictors of Employability of Engineering Graduates in Campus Recruitment Drives of Indian Software Services Companies. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 19(3), 313-319. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2389.2011.00560.xHassanbeigi, A., Askari, J., Nakhjavani, M., Shirkhoda, S., Barzegar, K., Mozayyan, M. R., & Fallahzadeh, H. (2011). The relationship between study skills and academic performance of university students. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 30, 1416-1424. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.10.276Imose, R., & Barber, L. K. (2015). Using undergraduate grade point average as a selection tool: A synthesis of the literature. The Psychologist-Manager Journal, 18(1), 1-11. doi:10.1037/mgr0000025Johansen, V. (2012). Entrepreneurship Education and Academic Performance. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 58(3), 300-314. doi:10.1080/00313831.2012.726642Kuncel, N. R., Hezlett, S. A., & Ones, D. S. (2004). Academic Performance, Career Potential, Creativity, and Job Performance: Can One Construct Predict Them All? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(1), 148-161. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.86.1.148Kuncel, N. R., Ones, D. S., & Sackett, P. R. (2010). Individual differences as predictors of work, educational, and broad life outcomes. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(4), 331-336. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2010.03.042Roth, P. L., & Bobko, P. (2000). College grade point average as a personnel selection device: Ethnic group differences and potential adverse impact. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(3), 399-406. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.85.3.399Ruetzler, T., Taylor, J., Reynolds, D., & Baker, W. (2011). Understanding perceptions of professional attributes using conjoint analysis. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 30(3), 551-557. doi:10.1016/j.ijhm.2010.09.006RYNES, S. L., ORLITZKY, M. O., & BRETZ, R. D. (1997). EXPERIENCED HIRING VERSUS COLLEGE RECRUITING: PRACTICES AND EMERGING TRENDS. Personnel Psychology, 50(2), 309-339. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.1997.tb00910.xSchick, G. J., & Kunnecke, B. F. (1982). Do High Grades, Top Schools, or An Advanced Degree Lead to Job Security and Extraordinary Salary Progression? Interfaces, 12(1), 9-18. doi:10.1287/inte.12.1.9Thoms, P., McMasters, R., Roberts, M. R., & Dombkowski, D. A. (1999). Journal of Business and Psychology, 13(3), 339-356. doi:10.1023/a:1022974232557Chan, W. W. Y., & Dimmock, C. (2008). The internationalization of universities. Journal of Research in International Education, 7(2), 184-204. doi:10.1177/1475240908091304Cranmer, S. (2006). Enhancing graduate employability: best intentions and mixed outcomes. Studies in Higher Education, 31(2), 169-184. doi:10.1080/03075070600572041Crossman, J. E., & Clarke, M. (2009). International experience and graduate employability: stakeholder perceptions on the connection. Higher Education, 59(5), 599-613. doi:10.1007/s10734-009-9268-zCallanan, G., & Benzing, C. (2004). Assessing the role of internships in the career‐oriented employment of graduating college students. Education + Training, 46(2), 82-89. doi:10.1108/00400910410525261Divine, R. L., Linrud, J. K., Miller, R. H., & Wilson, J. H. (2007). Required Internship Programs in Marketing: Benefits, Challenges and Determinants of Fit. Marketing Education Review, 17(2), 45-52. doi:10.1080/10528008.2007.11489003Gault, J., Redington, J., & Schlager, T. (2000). Undergraduate Business Internships and Career Success: Are They Related? Journal of Marketing Education, 22(1), 45-53. doi:10.1177/0273475300221006Gault, J., Leach, E., & Duey, M. (2010). Effects of business internships on job marketability: the employers’ perspective. Education + Training, 52(1), 76-88. doi:10.1108/00400911011017690KNOUSE, S. B., TANNER, J. R., & HARRIS, E. W. (1999). The Relation of College Internships, College Performance, and Subsequent Job Opportunity. Journal of Employment Counseling, 36(1), 35-43. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1920.1999.tb01007.xKnouse, S. B., & Fontenot, G. (2008). benefits of the business college internship: a research review. Journal of Employment Counseling, 45(2), 61-66. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1920.2008.tb00045.xMihail, D. M. (2006). Internships at Greek universities: an exploratory study. Journal of Workplace Learning, 18(1), 28-41. doi:10.1108/13665620610641292Taylor, M. S. (1988). Effects of college internships on individual participants. Journal of Applied Psychology, 73(3), 393-401. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.73.3.393Weible, R., & McClure, R. (2011). An Exploration of the Benefits of Student Internships to Marketing Departments. Marketing Education Review, 21(3), 229-240. doi:10.2753/mer1052-8008210303MCKINNEY, A. P., CARLSON, K. D., MECHAM, R. L., D’ANGELO, N. C., & CONNERLEY, M. L. (2003). RECRUITERS’ USE OF GPA IN INITIAL SCREENING DECISIONS: HIGHER GPAs DON’T ALWAYS MAKE THE CUT. Personnel Psychology, 56(4), 823-845. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.2003.tb00241.xCohen, P. A. (1984). College grades and adult achievement: A research synthesis. Research in Higher Education, 20(3), 281-293. doi:10.1007/bf00983503Samson, G. E., Graue, M. E., Weinstein, T., & Walberg, H. J. (1984). Academic and Occupational Performance: A Quantitative Synthesis. American Educational Research Journal, 21(2), 311-321. doi:10.3102/00028312021002311Roth, P. L., & Clarke, R. L. (1998). Meta-Analyzing the Relation between Grades and Salary. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 53(3), 386-400. doi:10.1006/jvbe.1997.1621Parey, M., & Waldinger, F. (2010). Studying Abroad and the Effect on International Labour Market Mobility: Evidence from the Introduction of ERASMUS. The Economic Journal, 121(551), 194-222. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0297.2010.02369.xSanahuja Vélez, G., & Ribes Giner, G. (2015). Effects of Business Internships on Students, Employers, and Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Review. Journal of Employment Counseling, 52(3), 121-130. doi:10.1002/joec.12010Beggs, B. (2008). A Comparison of Student and Practitioner Perspectives of the Travel and Tourism Internship. The Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism, 7(1), 31-39. doi:10.3794/johlste.71.161Knemeyer, A. M., & Murphy, P. R. (2002). Logistics internships. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 32(2), 135-152. doi:10.1108/09600030210421732Swanson, S. R., & Tomkovick, C. (2012). Marketing Internships: How Values and Search Strategies Differ Across The Student-Employer Dyad. Marketing Education Review, 22(3), 251-262. doi:10.2753/mer1052-800822030