Exploring ‘employability’ and its impact on student agency and identity

This study examines how students interact with the concept of ‘employability’ during their academic journey and how it shapes their student agency and identity. The research was conducted within The Open University and with two students from a post-1992 university. This unique inclusion adds a diverse and rich perspective to the study. ‘Employability’ has emerged as a crucial topic in contemporary Higher Education discourse. However, a noticeable gap exists in the literature regarding student perspectives on ‘employability’. Students are often portrayed as mere consumers or recipients of ‘employability’ to serve political or employer interests. This leads to a one-sided understanding of ‘employability’ that tends to sideline student voices and perceptions. By focussing on student perspectives, this research aims to bridge this gap and amplify student voices in the 'employability' discourse, thereby enhancing the understanding of this complex concept. This research fills a significant void in the literature and provides a unique platform for students to express their views on 'employability '. By creating a space for students using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this research explores student perceptions of ‘employability’ by analysing data from 11 semi-structured interviews. The interviews and subsequent analysis underscore that ‘employability’ is not a term that students readily relate to or understand beyond that it is about affording opportunity and advantage in the labour market. More useful for the students is the time to reflect on their entire HEI experience and understand how their motivations develop over time and in unexpected ways. A narrative solely focused on ‘employability’ offers limited opportunity for meaningful engagement. This research, therefore, suggests that it is high time to review and reframe these narratives, moving beyond the ‘employability’ lens to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.