Higher education continues to play a major role in preparing students for the world of work by teaching them what they need to know. However, employers and industry are increasingly looking for graduates who also know ‘how to do It’. Rachel Nicholson, Head of Institution at Backstage Academy, highlights the reasons many students opt for higher education which offers hands-on experiences.
Professional bodies and industry leaders often suggest there’s a mismatch between the theoretical knowledge students acquire at university and the skills they need to succeed after graduation. The goal of most universities with a strong practical component is to address this mismatch by delivering early career professionals – creative and critical thinkers who possess the academic, practical, technical and applied skills required by industry.
Here are ten reasons why students, particularly those interested in pursuing careers in the live events and creative industries, choose higher education institutions based on the diverse range of experiential education opportunities on offer.
- It offers a safe environment
When studying, it is important to get a hands-on understanding of a subject and how the theory learned applies to real-life situations. As such, practical education is a rewarding way for students to explore and experiment with all aspects of their chosen field of study. It also provides them with the opportunity to safely make mistakes and learn organically through trial and error.
- It improves their skillset
While gaining in-depth knowledge of a core discipline and demonstrating the ability to learn is important, having employability skills tailored to their industry of choice is vital for graduates when entering the workforce. Students choose university courses that will not only equip them with a particular set of skills aligned to their field of interest, but that will also ensure that their skillset is future proof.
- It increases understanding
Rather than simply learning about various types of equipment and how it might be useful for different jobs, students afforded extensive practical training have the opportunity to learn about, use, and sharpen their technical skills while studying. This means that when they transition to the workplace, they won’t have to spend time learning how to physically operate tools and equipment on the job as they have already gained hands-on experience.
- It exposes students to industry experts
Through practical education, students have the opportunity to complete projects, engage with job-specific tasks, and learn specialised techniques under the direct supervision of active and experienced industry professionals who have real-world knowledge and experience. In the live events and creative industries these are usually not your everyday academics, but professionals at the top of their game. Under their tutelage, students get to create unique and ambitious projects that push the boundaries of creativity and expression.
Additionally, being taught by professionals who are active in the industry enables students to network from day one. In nearly every industry, a strong network can play a vital role in finding a job and building a successful career following graduation.
- It improves knowledge retention
When learning in a theoretical, text-based style, the brain attempts to remember words. However, when learning in a practical environment, students remember actions and scenarios, which the brain finds easier to retain. As such, a hands-on approach often results in more ingrained knowledge, with the ability to retain information quickly and for longer periods of time.
- It fosters engagement and collaboration
Students who are actively learning are actively engaged. By working together on practical projects, students develop core abilities they’ll need to successfully collaborate in the workforce.
- It exposes students to cutting-edge technology
Experiencing technologies that are at the forefront of industry first hand, particularly if it can lead to lucrative careers, is invaluable. An example of this is virtual production, which has been a game-changer across various industries, and which can be found not just in film production, but also in high-end television, advertising, and even as part of live events.
Virtual Production is changing the way content is created, with Unreal Engine leading the charge. Originally a tool to design video games, its potential has been noticed by stakeholders across the entertainment industry, particularly the booming virtual production industry. Through practical training in cutting-edge technologies, students are given a strong foundation, placing them ahead of the curve.
- It supports critical thinking
Critical thinking skills increase in a hands-on learning environment because students must make decisions on what to do next to achieve the desired outcome of a task. Critical thinking skills are vital to the workplace as every situation encountered cannot be learned from or prepared for from a book.
- It unlocks creativity
While creativity is a valuable skill in the modern workplace, it is one of the hardest to teach using traditional methods. Hands-on learning helps students understand that creativity is developed with effort and hard work. By being allowed to practically flex their creative muscles, students learn to develop better ideas and more innovative solutions.
- It prepares students for work
In a competitive job market, employers are increasingly looking for graduates with transferable workplace skills, meaning those whose education incorporated hands-on experience. By enabling students to gain practical experience throughout their education, such institutions ensure students have a smooth transition to the working world. While boosting students’ confidence in their abilities, it also assures employers that the new graduates they employ have gained the experience and training needed to work with a high level of independence and competence.
When it comes to higher education for creative careers, the importance of offering practical, skills-based education must not be underestimated. At Backstage Academy we pride ourselves on immersing our students in industry from day one. By offering our students access to industry experts, best-in-class technology, and equipment in state-of-the-art production studios, we strive to equip them with real-world skills to catapult their careers once they graduate.
Backstage Academy student Bradley Nicholson confirms. “I know people at other universities who, although they had knowledgeable lecturers, didn’t have access to practical, real-life learning opportunities while studying. Gaining hands-on experience is invaluable as it gives you knowledge that directly prepares you for a career. In addition to equipping you with industry specific knowledge and skills, it also teaches you other vital skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork and communication.”
With the live events industry calling out for creative individuals that ‘know how to do things’, those looking to pursue a career in the live events and creative industries should seek out an institution with an immersive, hands-on approach which will equip them with the practical skills they need to succeed in the working world.
While creativity is a valuable skill in the modern workplace, it is one of the hardest to teach using traditional methods.
