In lectures of the second-year The Future of Work course, industry experts from organisations such as Wellington Zoo, Flick Electric and Inland Revenue give presentations on how their organisation is being challenged by changing social and technological changes.
For example, Glen Scanlon from Radio New Zealand discussed the changing habits of news and media consumption, how the state broadcaster is responding, and the new direction leaders in the field like Google and Facebook are heading.
Each industry professional assigns a group of students a real-life ‘wicked problem’ that is challenging the current and future course of their organisation.
Wicked problems are by definition, complex and sometimes unresolvable issues that intersect multiple interests. The students have to analyse the situation in groups and think creatively to come up with solutions.
The students then submit their own business report outlining their ideas to address the problem. They receive feedback from the industry professional and their ideas may also be implemented in the workplace.
One of the class co-ordinators and tutors Carine Stewart likens the course’s unique format to an internship because “the students get to learn directly from industry professionals and have to think critically about real-life work problems”.
“They also get to write business reports that are reviewed by businesspeople. It’s quite a change from writing for an academic audience.”
Miss Stewart says the students appreciate working directly with the industry representatives, but notes it’s a reciprocal relationship. “The employers involved with this course have told us they really appreciate hearing the fresh perspectives and creative solutions the students offer.”
Course co-ordinator and FHSS Associate Dean (Academic Programmes) Associate Professor Stuart Brock says the course stands apart for its multidisciplinary approach.
“We have guest lecturers from History, Philosophy, Design, Sociology, Media Studies and Management so the students critically examine the changing nature of work and employment from a range of perspectives.”
The Future of Work was piloted last year and the first class for 2018 has 45 students from Commerce and FHSS.
Miss Stewart says the future of work can be “daunting” even for experts. “But the course gives students the opportunity to start thinking about how they might contribute to the changing world of work”.