STP: Student to Professional

Demystifying the transition from student to professional through applied research, psychometrics and professional development. Brought to you by the early careers experts Gradconsult and the occupational psychologists Sten10.

Read the article here

Defining the problem

  • The transition from student to professional has always required a significant shift in mindset and behaviours. However, in recent years, the gap between student and professional behaviours appears to be widening. We want to solve this problem and enable students, early careers professionals, and all those who support their development, to more easily, rapidly and successfully navigate the transition.

  • As we adapt from a learning environment to an employment one, the mindset and behaviours required of us change. Much of what has helped us to be successful in education will no longer serve us well at work. Until now that transition has been undefined and opaque to many - particularly those students who come from more diverse backgrounds. We have adopted an evidence-based, research informed approach, led by early careers and occupational psychologist experts, to objectively map and model the mindset and behavioural shift from student to professional.

  • In recent years much has been written and spoken about the increasing gap between student and professional behaviours - despite concerted efforts from HE careers and Early Careers professionals alike. The key contributing factors to this include:

    • The rise of perfectionism as a behavioural trait

    • Social media presenting unrealistic expectations about the world of work

    • Reduced work and life experiences during formative years due to COVID

    • The success of widening participation and social mobility efforts - meaning more students from more diverse backgrounds are entering university life and professions

    • The focus on ‘authenticity’ ‘bringing your whole self to work’ or ‘being you’ in employer brand campaigns, which has worked well for diversity but less well to set people up for a significant shift

    • The step-change in delivery of an exceptional student experience at university, raising student expectations of life post university

The research process

  • 1 The spark

    In 2022 Rebecca Fielding authored this article on the transition from education into employment. It sparked interest and debate across employers, educators and careers professionals.

    2 Research

    From this spark, a rigorous research and literature review has taken place, to develop the concept, validate the key transitions, and identify what helps and hinders the transition from student to professional.

  • 3 Practitioner insight

    Between November 2023 and January 2024 we undertook a series of focus groups and interviews with over 50 careers professionals and early careers employers. Their practitioner insight, blended with our research findings, have allowed us to identify current and emerging challenges for students transitioning into the professional environment.

    4 Pilot

    The STP psychometric is now being developed by occupational psychologists Sten10, including; behavioural model, descriptors, items for assessment, individualised reports and development actions. Accompanying professional development workshops and webinars are designed. We are currently recruiting 10-20 partners to pilot and validate the tools from May 2024.

The solutions: Students and Early Career Professionals

  • STP psychometric

    This is a development tool (not for use in recruitment and assessment). It is designed to aid self awareness, coaching and self development.

    The 15-20 minute on-line psychometric completed by a student or early career professional. The questions are designed by occupational psychologists to help determine where a student is on their development journey from student to professional. After completing the psychometric they will receive a report highlighting where they are in their transition, with some recommended development actions.

    Available to pilot from May 2024. Up to 200 participants.

    Pilot price: £950+VAT

  • STP webinar

    An interactive webinar to explain the STP, how to use the psychometric report. Topics include:

    • The key transitions from student life to professional life

    • Understand and interpret your STP report

    • Identify personal development actions to support the transition into professional life

    This webinar is an ‘explainer’ of the STP model and report rather than a developmental experience, so works well as complimentary content pre or post report.

    Available in pilot from May 2024. Up to 200 participants.

    Pilot price: £900+VAT

  • STP workshops

    Designed for students or early career professionals, our workshops normalise the transition and equip participants with actionable insights. Topics include:

    • Reflect on, and prepare for, the differences between education and employment

    • Identify where you are now, and the challenges you may face

    • Recognise and share strategies that effectively ease transition

    • Overcome perfectionism and imposter syndrome

    • How to prepare for a professional environment

    Available in pilot now. Up to 50 participants.

    Pilot price: £1,500+VAT (Digital). Pilot price: £1,800+VAT+expenses (In person)

The solutions: Employers and Universities

  • STP: HE careers teams

    Designed for HE careers teams, our interactive workshop is designed to share the STP model/psychometric and how it can be used. Topics include:

    • Understand the research methodology of the STP

    • Discuss the factors widening the STP gap

    • Explore the STP model and psychometric

    • Explain the mindset and behavioural shifts from student to professional

    • Identify how the STP model and psychometric report can be used with your students

    Available in pilot from May 2024. Up to 50 participants.

    Pilot price: £1,000+VAT (Digital, 3 hours)

    Pilot price: £1,800+VAT+expenses (In person, One day)

  • STP: Early careers teams

    Designed for Early Careers teams, our interactive workshop is designed to share the STP model/psychometric and how it can be used. Topics include:

    • Discuss the factors widening the STP gap and any changes both employers and students need to make

    • Explore the STP model and psychometric

    • Explain the mindset and behavioural shifts from student to professional

    • Identify how the STP model and psychometric report can be used with candidates, managers, and new hires

    Available in pilot from May 2024. Up to 50 participants.

    Pilot price: £1,000+VAT (Digital, 3 hours)

    Pilot price: £1,800+VAT+expenses (In person, One day)

  • STP: Managers

    Designed for line managers, this half-day workshop will enable them to better support their early career hires. A three-hour workshop that can be delivered in person or digitally. Topics include:

    • Discuss the factors widening the STP gap and any changes both employers and students need to make

    • Overview of the STP model and key transitions

    • Apply the STP psychometric and model to support the development of their early career hires

    • Use case studies/scenarios to explore real scenarios they might face and how best to respond to them.

    Available in pilot now. Up to 30 participants.

    Pilot price: £1,000+VAT (Digital)

    Pilot price: £1,300+VAT+expenses (In person)

Join us on the journey

  • We are looking for 10-20 partners in Summer 2024 who share our commitment to taking an empirical and evidence-based approach to supporting the transition from student to professional. Partners will be both early careers employers and HE careers service teams.

  • Our pilot costs are not reflective of the price of the finalised solutions, but rather to cover the administration (and partial development) costs of the pilot whilst we validate the research and refine the solution. Alongside this initial reduced cost pilot partners will also benefit from reductions in future years. We don’t want budget to be a barrier to working with a range of pilot partners, so can tailor packages to suit your needs, numbers or budget.

  • We have three asks of our pilot partners; 1. Feedback on the solutions 2. Organisation to be listed as a pilot participant in our white paper findings 3. Willingness to contribute to a webinar or conference session.

About the partners

Gradconsult is an independent, UK-based consultancy established in 2012. We are experts in the HE careers and early careers sectors. We develop strategy, deliver training and development, run projects, and conduct research that delivers impact for our exceptional clients.

Sten10 are experts in assessment design; working with employers to create innovative, fair and valid ways of selecting and developing people at work. Founded in 2012, Sten10’s team of occupational psychologists are recognised as thought leaders in the area of customised assessment.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or would like to join us as a pilot partner, please contact Rebecca Fielding, Founder & MD at Gradconsult.

rebecca@gradconsult.co.uk

07889375142