The student experience of PACE at Macquarie University: Understanding motivations for learning

Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) at Macquarie University offers undergraduate students experiential learning opportunities with local, regional and international partners. Through PACE, students work on mutually beneficial projects that both meet the partner's organizational goals and enable students to strengthen graduate capabilities while gaining credit towards their degree and contributing to positive social change. This paper will outline findings from the Student Experience of PACE Project, which investigates the perceived impact of PACE on students' graduate capabilities and career aspirations, specifically addressing the following research question: Does PACE offer any distinct motives for learning? The findings bearing on distinctive motivators, such as personal and professional development, practical experience and constructive social action align with the literature in affirming the importance of these factors for achieving not only educational, but also lifelong learning objectives.