The collaborative work that has been implemented is not limited to the relationships that have been established with the constituent entities of U.Porto or the creation of an integrated internal network for the promotion of employability and career development that includes students, student organisations, alumni, management bodies, teachers, researchers and technicians. It is a collaborative endeavour that also focuses on forming broad-spectrum alliances with other Higher Education Institutions, employers, external partners, key players and stakeholders in the surrounding community that interacts with it (such as the tutelage and government bodies, accreditation institutions, patrons, families, various associations, the media, secondary schools, civil society in general), to lead to the growth and cohesion of the Career Community (of Practices).
It is hoped that this Career Community at U.Porto, made up of these various interlocutors, can be a community that builds connections and networks with each other, with meaning and multi-level relationships, and that it can become a space for:
- Sharing resources, knowledge, experiences and practices that benefit other members of the community;
- Common and wide-ranging discussion of the societal challenges to which higher education institutions in general and career services, in particular, are subject;
- Up-to-date information, opportunities for collaborative learning and the creation of new knowledge since conferences and events, projects, workshops, training sessions, studies and joint data analysis are organised within this community sources of up-to-date information and learning opportunities for members.
- Raising funds through partnerships with companies and organisations, sponsorships, or internationally funded projects to be reinvested in creating content (podcasts, webinars, videos), events and programmes.
- Developing career intervention programmes and strategic partnerships.
Its objectives include:
- Creating an inclusive and diverse environment to ensure that all students have equal access to existing resources and support;
- Promoting the idea that the career communities in which students are integrated are not limited to the student's time at U.Porto. A student can be involved and integrated into these communities beyond the course as alumni, receiving support and resources throughout their careers (lifelong learning).
- Evaluating the impact of career programmes and career services (through feedback data analysis) and implementing changes and improvements based on student outcomes and market trends;
- Empowering students as agents in building and managing their careers both during their time at U.Porto and beyond so that they can make informed decisions and achieve their aspirations.
Within these networks and combined forces, the Career Community becomes an invitation to synergy and the building of bridges instead of walls.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we are the U.Porto Career Community.