How the FT enables ‘corporate-ready’ graduates
The political, economic and social landscape is fast-moving. And much of it is driven by technology disruption. Within the academic and education market, this has had a great number of implications from how disciplines are taught in the classroom or through distance learning; to the work skill sets and experience companies demanding from graduates.
Type in ‘top work skills’ in any search engine and it is likely to yield most of the following characteristics:
- Commercial awareness
- Communication skills
- Team-work skills
- Problem solving
- Leadership
- Time-management
- Ability to work under-pressure
- Confidence
- Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data
- Ability to obtain and process useful information
- Ability to sell and influence others
- Judgement & decision making
- Emotional intelligence
- Critical thinking
Students strive to develop these skills and want to be prepared in order to become more ‘employable’ and secure work in an ever-increasing competitive market. Additionally, the financial crisis brought an increased need to understand financial markets, possible risk factors and triggers, current challenges faced (such as tougher regulation) and strategic measures being taken.
A wider work skill set and business acumen or ‘commerciality’ coupled with ‘softer skills’ is what is required. It is no longer adequate to have just the technical qualifications. Furthermore, employers often cite that there is a lack of commercial awareness amongst their recently graduated employees.
Staying up to date in this rapidly changing world is key and educational institutes are the keen to harvest commercially-minded and high-calibre graduates. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.
Whilst some schools still depend on using traditional classroom-based learning, others now include employer-based learning programs, including evaluating real-life scenarios.
To develop candidates who are capable of holding their own in the corporate world, the aim is to build their critical thinking and analysis as well as an increased understanding of the impact of international markets and movements.
How this is achieved by integrating the Financial Times into education environments
Within the education sector and the move towards “blended learning”, business schools are looking for ways to engage students more by equipping them with the right skills needed. By integrating FT content directly into subject curriculum, students gain a fuller perspective of the trends and issues that shape global business.
For example, academics teaching ‘banking risk’ can integrate FT news about new banking regulations and compliance issues that have recently been reported in the news.
By linking this on a platform where students access their lecture notes and other learning resources, using ourHeadline API can increase student engagement; and help shape how young people can relate theory to real-life scenarios. It enhances their learning and ability to understand real-life corporate issues as well as address how they would provide potential business solutions.
The application of integrated and relevant content on the right platform is available in many ways from content widgets that sit on virtual campus’, moodles or blackboards and for distance learning; to video widgets that may be used directly within the classroom as a case study.
This inherently increases usage, relevance and provides easy access for students to view quality, accurate and trusted content related to their course discipline.
As a result, teaching environments are transformed, work skills and knowledge are enhanced and ensures graduates – ultimately tomorrow’s leaders – are more ‘corporate-ready’.
An FT Group Subscription offers a practical way for educational institutions to incorporate current affairs and an international perspective into their curriculums, bridging the gap between theory and reality.
For more information about how the Financial Times can help your organisation or to request a free trial, please get in touch.
