The impact of industry workload on the satisfaction and engagement of built environment students

Peter Ashford
University of Melbourne

Valerie Francis
University of Melbourne

     Full text: PDF
     Last modified: June 6, 2007

Abstract
This paper reports on a recent research project investigating semester-time employment and student satisfaction with study and university life. The research extends on two previous research projects undertaken at the University of Melbourne. These investigated patterns of semester-time employment of built environment students at the university in 2003 and then at the university and other Australian institutions in 2005.

A paper-based questionnaire was used to collect the research data from property and construction students in all four years of their course. The questionnaire consisted of a series of questions beginning with demographic information and then questions relating to their work and perceived satisfaction and level of engagement with their academic studies, university activities and university life.

This paper firstly investigates the reasons students work and the relationship between hours of work and the extent of financial support provided to them by their parents/family as well as their perceived satisfaction and student engagement. Independent t-tests are used to investigate any differences between property and construction students as well as local and international students. The results overall suggest that industry based part-time work is beneficial to student’s studies. However, the benefit to their career prospects come at a cost. Students working an excessive number of hours in industry reported their marks did suffer to a greater extent than those working fewer hours.

Keywords: Built environment, tertiary students, university satisfaction, student engagement.

Comments on this paper
      bmk. <a href= http://www.elc.byu.edu/trcv/?Cheap-Phentermine >what is phentermine</a> [url=http://www.elc.byu.edu/trcv/?Cheap-Phentermine]what is phentermine[/url] - zwhyerl (06/30/2007)
      (Click on titles to see comments)