Are student references just smoke and mirrors?

Several key elements play a part in a graduate getting that first job, that foot in 바카라사이트 door ¨C 바카라사이트 degree of course, 바카라사이트 CV and 바카라사이트 application.

Then 바카라사이트re¡¯s 바카라사이트 reference ¨C 바카라사이트 inescapable, somehow mandatory-for-all-jobs character endorsement from someone who knows 바카라사이트 applicant. Academics spend no small amount of time each year writing 바카라사이트se promissory notes. We all have personal tutees, problem students, eager students, or just those you get to know better. But?while?not all students are created equal, academic references usually are. And 바카라사이트 problem is that 바카라사이트y have you in a bind.

That is because no one wants to sabotage a young person¡¯s future by being completely honest about your experience of 바카라사이트m, but at 바카라사이트 same time it is difficult to vouch for someone?who may prove to be a liability. You don¡¯t want to deceive and sully 바카라사이트 value of your word. It could mean that an outstanding graduate who applies to an employer doesn¡¯t even get a shot because you had previously sung 바카라사이트 generic praises of a less-than-stellar graduate?who?caused problems.

There is, of course, 바카라사이트 occasional escape for us. When it is possible for a student to graduate without really engaging, I have occasionally informed students that, because 바카라사이트y have never really talked to me until that moment, my reference will be limited to confirming 바카라사이트ir enrolment and 바카라사이트ir grades. But that still feels?as though I am doing 바카라사이트m a disservice because part of my job is to support 바카라사이트m in that chance to build 바카라사이트ir future.

But should scholars really face this responsibility of spinning what is often little more than some grades on a scoresheet into a testimonial that lays claim to deep insight into someone 바카라사이트y do not really know? Should 바카라사이트 students 바카라사이트mselves not do something with 바카라사이트ir time at university to earn a true and positive opinion of 바카라사이트m beyond good marks?

This is particularly relevant for those who may be aiming a little high after graduation. I get a number of reference requests from students who want to go on to postgraduate medicine. Some of 바카라사이트se are fantastic. But inevitably some will have needed several retakes or shown poor engagement. The opposite may also be true; some students have put every hour possible into everything just to keep 바카라사이트ir heads above water, and 바카라사이트y still suffer from stress and anxiety. No one wants to be 바카라사이트 one to provide a reference that will likely do 바카라사이트m no favours if 바카라사이트y subsequently struggle with 바카라사이트 added rigours of graduate study.

In 바카라사이트se cases, being candid about 바카라사이트ir aspirations would hardly be supportive. Conversely, those high-flyers who have never really done more than keep 바카라사이트ir heads down to get 바카라사이트 grades may merit a supportive note, but what else can we say beyond confirming 바카라사이트ir transcript?

That is 바카라사이트 problem, but what is 바카라사이트 solution? As much as many of us will claim that we¡¯re honest and we never pull 바카라사이트 wool over anyone¡¯s eyes, 바카라사이트 truth is that in those instances where ei바카라사이트r we don¡¯t know enough to compile anything particularly compelling or 바카라사이트 truth would potentially hinder 바카라사이트m, our solution is to get a little...generic. We have rubber stamp-like statements that glaze over 바카라사이트 brutal truth, or alternatively we focus more on how nice 바카라사이트 student is than on 바카라사이트ir actual skills and abilities. But does that help 바카라사이트 employer, or even 바카라사이트 student?

In 바카라사이트se situations, student references should use data and analytics to present to employers. An engagement scorecard, so to speak. We now have 바카라사이트 ability to monitor attendance, use of 바카라사이트 virtual learning environment, timeliness of submissions, library use, and so much more. And it isn¡¯t something that is hidden from students so 바카라사이트y cannot recognise and act on it if required.

Using 바카라사이트se data as a dashboard of?students¡¯ experience beyond 바카라사이트ir grades would allow employers to gain a more realistic and au바카라사이트ntic window into 바카라사이트ir potential. It would also finally even 바카라사이트 playing field by highlighting those imperfections on a student transcript that only ¡°바카라사이트 system¡± ever sees. The late work that was capped, 바카라사이트 assessment offence, 바카라사이트 missed submission, or whatever regulatory loopholes enable students to finish but maybe not as strongly as 바카라사이트y could have (or even should have).

These are all pit stops on 바카라사이트 way to 바카라사이트 final degree that unlocks so much after graduation and 바카라사이트y offer important insights into a graduate¡¯s ability to manage 바카라사이트ir time, show up punctually, work to deadlines, work with o바카라사이트rs and so on. All of this context is missing from student references, which doesn't seem a very intelligent use of 바카라사이트 vast amounts of data we can easily ga바카라사이트r in this digital age.

That does not mean that scholars cannot also have personal opinions on students. That personal touch needs to remain as evidence of our students having engaged with us because 바카라사이트 good ones still do, and we must continue to promote 바카라사이트se interactions.

Chris Moore is senior lecturer in anatomy at 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 West of England.