How a truly inclusive university extends their mission to student employability

Most universities care about their students.

They offer support services to help them cope with things like assignments, time management and even managing their stress levels.

Of course, some do it better than others.

A truly inclusive university offers support to everyone.

To not only adjust to university life, but to build confidence for what happens after graduation.

That ultimate challenge – finding employment in the real world.

Support and advice from study to employment

Western Australia's Edith Cowan University is a champion of diversity and inclusivity.

It's in the university's DNA.

ECU was named after one of 20^th century Australia's greatest trailblazers.

Edith Cowan OBE fought to improve conditions for women, children, families, the poor, the under-educated and the elderly.

The belief in equity and a fair go for everyone has been embraced by ECU.

And it extends beyond helping all students through their study journey.

At ECU, equipping students to be job-ready is also valued highly.

So students are given opportunities to build their workplace readiness before they graduate.

This includes recognising systemic barriers and attitudes they may face in finding or participating in employment.

Students are supported to embrace their value and identity in the workplace, to know their rights and discover ways to find inclusive employers.

Graduates giving back to students

Because we value the diversity of student experiences, we also create spaces for graduates to share their stories with the students following in their footsteps.

For example, ECU graduates from a range of diverse backgrounds have participated in a video series of real life 'stories from the workplace'.

These videos form part of a career development learning and employability module for current students.

In these courageous and at times frank interviews, we hear not only how they found their way, but what they've learned to enable them to have a successful journey to meaningful employment.

We also hear how they wanted to contribute something to make someone else’s journey a little bit easier.

"Every small step we can each do, I think really will lead us to a place where the people that are coming behind us don't have to experience those things," says one graduate.

"It's really important for us to have positive visibility of people with disability because we are valuable contributors to our workplaces and our communities," says another.

As a university, you can't ask for more than that.