Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Researchers and practitioners agree that gaining work experience while pursuing higher education can significantly ease the transition to full-time employment after graduation by contributing to the acquisition of the skills and qualifications needed by new graduates and required by industry (Campbell & Price, 2016; Freudenberg, Brimble & Cameron, 2011; Leong & Kavanagh, 2013; Rowe, 2017; Schuetze, 2004). Unfortunately, much of this research fails to address variations in students’ experiences that impact their mental health and well-being. For example, experiencing bias, discrimination, or exclusion in a work-place setting can negatively impact not only learning and skill acquisition but also mental health and overall wellbeing. This study examined the experiences of student employees during formal work placements and how certain experiences impacted their sense of belonging, self-efficacy, mental health, and overall wellbeing. Valuable knowledge for understanding the complex relationship between experiences in the workplace and how those experiences impact the overall health and wellness of student employees will be presented.