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Engagement and Employability through the Communication and Media Clinic: 'Should Happen Way Earlier, Even in Year One'

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Engagement and Employability through the Communication and Media Clinic: 'Should Happen Way Earlier, Even in Year One'
Language: English
Authors: Alice Dodd, Rebecca Somerfield
Source: International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning. 2026 27(1):135-149.
Availability: New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education. University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-838-4892; e-mail: editor@ijwil.org; Web site: https://www.ijwil.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Employment Potential, Work Based Learning, College Students, Authentic Learning, Performance Based Assessment, Communications, Foreign Countries, Student Attitudes, Learner Engagement
Geographic Terms: Australia
Abstract: Employability is now a key graduate attribute driving the design of curriculum in Australian universities. The value of embedding authentic assessment and work-integrated learning in programs to promote employability as a learning outcome is now recognized. This action research case study presents final year communications students' perspectives of their learning experience and outcomes after working with nonprofit clients in the Communication and Media Clinic, a pilot program developed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience and outcomes by embedding authentic learning activities and assessment in courses in the Communication and Media program at the University of South Australia. Semi-structured interviews and reflections revealed that working with real clients in the clinic was engaging and enhanced employability. Students would like more WIL across all levels in their program. This article presents the challenges and actions in gathering and responding to the students' voice to codesign the Communication and Media Clinic.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506578
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Engagement and Employability through the Communication and Media Clinic: 'Should Happen Way Earlier, Even in Year One'
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alice+Dodd%22">Alice Dodd</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebecca+Somerfield%22">Rebecca Somerfield</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Work-Integrated+Learning%22"><i>International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning</i></searchLink>. 2026 27(1):135-149.
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  Data: New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education. University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-838-4892; e-mail: editor@ijwil.org; Web site: https://www.ijwil.org/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employment+Potential%22">Employment Potential</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work+Based+Learning%22">Work Based Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Authentic+Learning%22">Authentic Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Performance+Based+Assessment%22">Performance Based Assessment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communications%22">Communications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink>
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  Data: Employability is now a key graduate attribute driving the design of curriculum in Australian universities. The value of embedding authentic assessment and work-integrated learning in programs to promote employability as a learning outcome is now recognized. This action research case study presents final year communications students' perspectives of their learning experience and outcomes after working with nonprofit clients in the Communication and Media Clinic, a pilot program developed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience and outcomes by embedding authentic learning activities and assessment in courses in the Communication and Media program at the University of South Australia. Semi-structured interviews and reflections revealed that working with real clients in the clinic was engaging and enhanced employability. Students would like more WIL across all levels in their program. This article presents the challenges and actions in gathering and responding to the students' voice to codesign the Communication and Media Clinic.
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 135
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Employment Potential
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work Based Learning
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Authentic Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Communications
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
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      – SubjectFull: Australia
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      – TitleFull: Engagement and Employability through the Communication and Media Clinic: 'Should Happen Way Earlier, Even in Year One'
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              Y: 2026
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