By Afshan Irfan, Lecturer in Business, FSB Croydon | Article Date: 04/11/2025
Your classroom learning is more than just theory; it’s the foundation of your career journey. As a lecturer at FSB Croydon, I am often asked by students: “How will this help me in the real world?” It’s a fair question, and one I always welcome, because the truth is that every lecture, assignment, and project is designed to prepare you for your future career.
Your journey at FSB isn’t just about passing exams; it’s about developing the transferable skills that employers want, through the very modules you study.
Business Modules as a Bridge to Employability
When I teach modules like The Business Environment, I know many students see them at first as purely theoretical. However, behind the theory lies a larger purpose. By analysing political, economic, social, and technological factors, you are actually training yourself to think critically, spot risks, and solve problems, exactly the kind of mindset employers are looking for.
The same goes for Marketing Principles. You’re not just memorising the 4Ps – product, price, place and promotion. You’re learning how to think like a marketer, to be creative and strategic, and to put yourself in the shoes of customers. And in Professional Practice, when you prepare presentations or work in groups, you’re building confidence, teamwork, and communication skills that will help you far beyond the classroom.
I always encourage my students to see modules not only as academic requirements but as stepping stones toward their careers.
In addition, our Level 4 business modules also provide a strong foundation for employability:
Marketing and Digital Context – Students learn to interpret customer behaviour, evaluate digital channels, and make data-informed decisions. This combines creativity with analysis and prepares graduates for roles that demand digital awareness.
Fundamentals of Business Management Practice – This module focuses on applying business theories through tools such as PESTLE and SWOT analysis. Students use these frameworks not only to evaluate a company’s current position but also to creatively develop recommendations for improving organisational performance and competitiveness. This mirrors real-world managerial problem-solving.
Professional Life Practice – Here, students refine skills in presentations, portfolios, and workplace communication, while also learning how to define their professional purpose, build a personal brand, and position themselves effectively in the job market. These activities develop confidence, professional voice, and employability readiness.
The Transferable Skills Employers Value
From my perspective as an FSB Lecturer, the most valuable outcome of your modules is the set of transferable skills you walk away with. These are the abilities that employers consistently highlight in job descriptions and interviews:
- Critical Thinking: developed through assignments and case studies.
- Communication: sharpened in class presentations and group work.
- Adaptability: built by working with different people on projects.
- Problem-Solving: strengthened every time you apply theory to a real-world example.
I see our students building these skills every term, often without realising how much progress they are making until they face a professional challenge.
A Real-World Example
One of my students once told me how a SWOT and PESTLE analysis they completed in The Business Environment module came up during a graduate job interview. They used the same framework to discuss risks and opportunities for the company, and the interviewer was impressed with their structured, analytical approach. What began as an assignment in class turned into a talking point that helped them stand out as a candidate.
That is the power of connecting classroom learning to employability.
Student Voices
“I used the SWOT/PESTLE I practised in class to structure a real company meeting about risks and opportunities—it landed me a part-time role as a business assistant while I continue my studies.” (FSB Business student – Level 4)
“Presenting in Professional Life Practice made interviews feel natural. I could explain my ideas clearly under pressure.” (FSB Business student – Level 4)
What Employers Tell Us
Employers and alumni consistently highlight four skills that matter most in the workplace:
1. Clear communication: concise emails, confident presentations, and active listening.
2. Applied analysis: turning frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or the 4Ps into actionable recommendations.
3. Team contribution: reliability, collaboration, and navigating diverse perspectives.
4. Professional habits: punctuality, preparation, and evidence-based decision-making.
Every assignment, project, and presentation at FSB is, in effect, practice for these expectations.
Thinking Beyond Undergraduate Study
Many students also ask me about developing postgraduate-level skills. FSB’s Master’s courses offer a pathway to specialise further, lead teams, and engage in advanced research. Postgraduate study not only strengthens analysis and leadership but also provides opportunities to network and innovate—helping graduates stand out in a competitive job market.
My Tips for Making the Most of Your Modules
Here are three simple practices I often recommend to my students:
- Keep a Skills Journal – After each piece of coursework, reflect on what you gained: better research skills, improved teamwork, or stronger presentation abilities.
- Translate Tasks into CV Language – Don’t just write “completed a project.” Instead, say “collaborated with a diverse team to deliver a strategic marketing plan, enhancing communication and problem-solving skills.”
- Use the Classroom as a Practice Ground – Treat every presentation like a job interview, every report like a professional document, and every group discussion as a chance to grow in confidence.
These steps will help you see the direct connection between your modules and your future career.
A Mindset Shift
The next time you’re in class, remind yourself: you’re not just studying for marks—you’re preparing for your career. Each assignment, presentation, and discussion is a chance to practise skills that employers will value.
At FSB, I see the classroom as the starting point of your professional journey. The work you put in now is what will carry you forward into a successful career.
Author bio
Afshan Irfan is a Business Lecturer at Fairfield School of Business. She teaches a range of Business Management and Digital Marketing modules, focusing on connecting academic learning with employability and preparing students for success in their professional journeys. She can be contacted via: afshan.irfan@fairfield.ac
References
Awadhiya, A.K. (2025) ‘Employability Skills in IT Sector: What Matters Most for Graduate Success?’, International Journal of Contemporary Education, 8(1), pp. 45–61.
Hussein, M.G. (2024) ‘Exploring the Significance of Soft Skills in Enhancing Employability: A postgraduate perspective’, SAGE Open, 14(2), pp. 1–13.
Phusavat, K. (2025) ‘Gaining insights into the employability of university graduates’, Studies in Higher Education, [Online first].
Romanenko, Y.N. et al. (2024) ‘Soft skills: students and employers crave’, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), pp. 1–10.
Scheuring, F. (2025) ‘Enhancing graduate employability – exploring the influence of a team-based business simulation in UK higher education’, Higher Education Review, [Online first].
Suyitno, S. et al. (2025) ‘The effect of work-based learning on employability skills: The role of self-efficacy and vocational identity’, European Journal of Educational Research, 14(1), pp. 309–321.
Tess, V. (2025) ‘The role of soft skills in enhancing graduates’ employability’, Contemporary Journal of Educational Research, 9(2), pp. 90–101.
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