I was reading an article co-authored by a former colleague the other morning and it struck me that we still haven’t made much progress on an issue that I have been talking about for the last 15 years – articulation. Articulation in student learning, particularly within the Arts, remains an elusive goal despite ongoing discussions and reforms. This persistent challenge warrants a closer examination, especially given its profound implications for both teaching practice and student outcomes, and more critically, for students’ future employability.

Connecting Academic Learning to Future Success

One of the most significant gaps in our current educational approach is the failure to clearly communicate how the skills acquired in Arts courses translate into real-world applications and employment opportunities. This articulation is crucial for students, who often find themselves at a loss when asked to justify the relevance of their degrees to potential employers. The disconnect between their academic achievements and their perceived employability can result in missed opportunities and undervaluation of their education.

Arts disciplines cultivate a range of highly transferable skills that are invaluable in the job market. These include critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and cultural awareness. However, students frequently fail to recognise these skills and their applicability beyond the academic sphere. This oversight stems from a lack of explicit articulation in the curriculum that links academic activities with professional competencies. To be clear before anyone makes the mistake of assuming that I am advocating more skills teaching into Arts subjects, I am not. I believe the skills teaching is already there what I think we lack is consistent articulation of those skills and how they can be critical to a students’ future success. Skills such as:

Critical Thinking: Courses in history, literature, philosophy, and the arts train students to analyse complex information, assess evidence, and develop well-founded arguments. These abilities are essential in professions that require strategic planning, policy analysis, or research.

Effective Communication: Writing essays, participating in discussions, and presenting findings hone students’ abilities to articulate their thoughts clearly and persuasively. Employers value these communication skills, which are crucial in roles ranging from marketing and public relations to corporate leadership.

Problem-Solving: Engaging with challenging texts and theoretical problems fosters a problem-solving mindset. Arts students learn to approach issues creatively and from multiple perspectives, a skill highly sought after in dynamic fields like technology, consultancy, and management.

Cultural Awareness and Empathy: Studying diverse cultures, histories, and philosophies enhances students’ understanding of the world and their ability to work effectively in multicultural environments. This global perspective is increasingly important in today’s interconnected world, benefiting careers in international relations, global business, and social services.

To bridge the gap between academic learning and employability, educators must implement strategies that explicitly articulate how these skills learnt in coursework apply to a post-university professional setting. At a subject level this can be achieved with the introduction of authentic assessments. Authentic assessment is assessment that mirrors what occurs in professional practice and is meaningful and relevant. For example ask history students to write a short script for a historical documentary or podcast about a topic they are studying.

At a course or degree level encouraging students to undertake capstone projects or internships that require them to apply their academic knowledge in practical settings can make the connection between theory and practice more tangible. These experiences not only enhance students’ resumes but also provide concrete examples they can discuss with potential employers. Leveraging alumni networks to provide current students with mentorship opportunities can also be beneficial. Alumni who have successfully transitioned into the workforce can offer insights and advice on how to articulate the value of an Arts education. Their success stories serve as powerful testimonials to the real-world applicability of these degrees.

The articulation of how Arts education serves students in their future endeavours is not merely an academic exercise but a critical component of preparing them for the job market and defending the Arts against attackers that label the Arts as a waste of time. By making the connection between academic skills and employability explicit, we empower students to confidently demonstrate the value of their education. This not only enhances their prospects but also promotes the broader recognition of the importance of Arts in fostering versatile, capable, and reflective professionals ensuring that our students leave university not only well-educated but also well-prepared to succeed in their chosen careers.