Continuity and change in Higher Education Careers Services in England

Christie, Fiona ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1384-3683, Gilworth, Bob, Thambar, Nalayini and Winter, David (2024) Continuity and change in Higher Education Careers Services in England. In: A History of the Careers Services in the UK from 1999. Lulu.com, pp. 36-49. ISBN 9781446625750 (paperback); 9781446174142 (ebook)

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Abstract

This chapter charts key aspects of the work of Careers Services in Higher Education (HE) in England (1999-2020). It is organised into six main sections: 1. public policy and the rise of employability; 2. employability, tuition fee rises and marketisation; 3. evolution of professional identity and practice; 4. changes in student and graduate employment and work; 5. policy and practice trends (regionalisation and social mobility); and finally, 6. present and future challenges (big data and technology). Contextual issues are outlined, and Careers Service responses are explored addressing how the work of careers professionals has dramatically evolved during this period. Across the chapter, we reflect on developments in policy and context that influenced continuity and change in professional practices that lead us to the present-day and to consider key opportunities and challenges for the future.