Global+Student+Project

=Global Student Project wiki= Helen Morrell Project Officer, UWA Careers Centre, Student Services

I have been employed part time since July 2008 for an 18 month project based in the Careers Centre of UWA called ‘The Global Student Project”. The aim of the project is to assist students develop career management competencies applicable to the global context of today’s workplace.

Two of the project’s key objectives (relevant to this discussion) are to:
 * Increase students’ understanding of workplace expectations and cultures
 * Increase opportunities for students to network with and improve their understanding of global and international employers.

Participation in a wiki workshop and a discussion with Lisa convinced me a wiki may be a useful tool to help achieve those two objectives. Hence I embarked on establishing a wiki (http://uwa-globalstudent.wikispaces.com/ )

(For those who are not familiar with wikis, wikis are websites that allow for the creation of different pages, with the option of discussion. Any member is able to edit, add and remove material. This may appear a little risky – but is an easy and expedient way for people to share information with each other. Non-members are also able to initiate or participate in discussion attached to each page)

The aim of the wiki is to assist students at UWA in terms of increasing their understanding of, and preparedness to work in, internationally diverse workplaces. Knowledge about other cultures, developing relationships with people from very different backgrounds and gaining a much deeper level of understanding about the impact of cultural upbringing and ‘norms’, helps people to begin to develop a ‘globalised’ mindset. A globalised mindset holds people in good stead in the workplace, as well developed intercultural and interpersonal skills are very attractive attributes to prospective employers.

The wiki provides access to useful links regarding information about Australia, some career information and articles; a calendar of events and activities and links to sites related to developing a deeper understanding of other cultures at UWA and more.

I hoped the wiki would be a vehicle by which students could share their knowledge and experiences and begin and take part in discussions in order to learn from each other and in doing so enhance their global employability attributes. To date the discussion is not taking off but the wiki is getting a regular stream of hits. It is still evolving!

Ms Helen Morrell Project Officer Careers Centre Phone 6488 3368 MBDP M302 Email helen.morrell@uwa.edu.au