Learning Beyond the Content
A Dissertation in Practice on Workforce Skills Development at Community Colleges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2023.363Keywords:
workforce skills, soft skills, community colleges, experiential learning, teaching and learningAbstract
In this article, we present an example of a student’s recently completed dissertation in practice (DiP) to demonstrate how the DiP can serve as culminating evidence of a student’s successful preparation as a scholar-practitioner. The purpose of this DiP was to determine to what extent students develop workforce skills while completing a community college education and what institutions can do to better prepare students to be successful upon graduation. Results from this mixed-method study (N = 77) suggest that graduates perceived learning a considerable amount of workforce skills during their time at the institution. However, respondents also reported that more hands-on learning would have enhanced their skill development. Through this study, the doctoral candidate was able to gain substantive results while addressing key CPED guiding principles.
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