Building mathematics students' careers knowledge and confidence through an extra-curricular industrial challenge

Abstract

The Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Liverpool has a well-stablished strand of embedded employability activity in the mathematics curriculum spanning every year of undergraduate study. To supplement this curricular offer, an extra-curricular activity was offered to students in 2024. This article will provide details on the development of the extra-curricular activity set by a major employer based in the Liverpool region. The activity challenged students to work together in groups to consider the wider societal and cultural issues in working with mathematics for a major international business. A study was conducted with the participating students which aimed to investigate whether the activity had enhanced their knowledge and confidence about opportunities for mathematics graduates. The survey results demonstrate that participants were more knowledgeable about opportunities for mathematics graduates and developed confidence in their skills development through participation in the activity.