Burnt out by underinvestment: Why university professional staff suffer amidst the Australian work-integrated learning system
Article
Article Title | Burnt out by underinvestment: Why university professional staff suffer amidst the Australian work-integrated learning system |
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Article Category | Article |
Authors | Wheeldon, Anita Louise, Whitty, Stephen Jonathan and van der Hoorn, Bronte |
Journal Title | International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning |
Journal Citation | 24 (1), pp. 99-115 |
Number of Pages | 20 |
Year | 2023 |
Place of Publication | New Zealand |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.ijwil.org/files/IJWIL_24_1_99_115.pdf |
Abstract | Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is perceived as important by universities and industry for equipping students with employability skills. This study contributes to the literature by using a methodological approach that visualises the sustained underinvestment in WIL by both universities and industry, which leaves professional staff who administer WIL placements with the burden of maintaining and stabilising the WIL system. Consequently, WIL administrators feel burnt out. Through a systems thinking methodology, extant literature is combined with empirical data collected from WIL administrative staff across multiple disciplines at 12 Australian universities. Influence diagramming visualises how WIL administrators are positioned in a burnout loop within a Growth and Underinvestment systems dynamic archetype. As such, no matter how hard WIL administrators strive to deliver quality WIL experiences, their efforts are systemically undermined by an underinvestment in job resources, insufficient industry placement opportunities, unproductive relationships with colleagues, and poor student preparedness for WIL. |
Keywords | Professional staff, burnout, systems thinking, Australian universities |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390115. Work integrated learning (incl. internships) |
390299. Education policy, sociology and philosophy not elsewhere classified | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of Southern Queensland |
University of Technology Sydney |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/v4y41/burnt-out-by-underinvestment-why-university-professional-staff-suffer-amidst-the-australian-work-integrated-learning-system
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