ASSESSMENT DETAILS
To satisfactorily complete the module the student is required to record and reflect upon his/her learning experiences gained inside and outside the classroom; the latter primarily being work-related/ work-environment experiences. This is achieved through the use of a personal development plan (PDP).
The summative assessment will comprise the creation of a Brand Me presentation, weighted at 50% and the production of a personal reflective journal based on work experience, weighted at 50% - these will assess all Learning Outcomes
The portfolio provides the opportunity for students to critically evaluate their progress in acquiring the Staffordshire Graduate Attributes
There are formative assessment points (personal tutorials) during the semester for students to receive feedback on their PDP and progress from an assigned tutor. This will give them an indication of their current performance in relation to the Learning Outcomes before submitting the PDP for summative assessment at the end of the module.
In addition to gaining formative feedback on their PDP, students will be formatively assessed on the development of various job application documents (e.g. CV, cover letter, application form) and will be encouraged to seek feedback from the Career centre or module or personal tutors.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module in developing the themes and learning gained in Enhancing Career and Personal Success provides further learning opportunities, including work-based/ work-related experiences that enable students to acquire the skills and qualities that will enhance their career prospects, horizons and personal success, thus preparing the student for the expectations of the world of work, namely:
1. Have the ability to carry out inquiry based learning and critical analysis
2. Be work ready and employable - be technologically, digitally and information literate - and understand the importance of being enterprising and entrepreneurial
3. Be able to apply Staffordshire Graduate attributes to a range of life experiences to facilitate life-long learning.
This module focuses on what are regarded as entrepreneurial and innovative mind-sets, behaviours and skills. The student has already been introduced to the value of innovation, creativity, collaboration and risk-taking skills. These are applicable to a wide range of careers and disciplines, from the public sector, charities, universities and social enterprises to corporate organisations large and small and new venture start-ups. The module will encourage a way of thinking and behaving relevant to all parts of society and the world-of-work. It is intended to present exciting and innovative opportunities to utilise for their own personal career development. Such opportunities might range from voluntary/pro bono work in social enterprises, participation in sport, to apprenticeships, to work-placements, to part-time work and so on.
This module offers the opportunity to build on the knowledge the student has acquired so far in pursuing the Staffordshire Graduate Employability Programme and their degree programme as a whole, specifically looking at the world of work and citizenship.
Business, Tourism and Events students have already been introduced to:
- Understanding and working in the workplace (Resourcing The Organisation and also Entrepreneurial Marketing)
- What 'being enterprising' really means (Entrepreneurial Marketing)
- Innovation and Risk-taking (Entrepreneurial Marketing)
This module will introduce the students to:
- Entrepreneurial/ Intrepreneurial mind-sets, behaviours and skills/ contributions from the world of work
- Developing Citizenship, personal and corporate responsibilities
- Using the PDP effectively in the preparation of a CV and covering letter/application preparation techniques (including telephone interviews), Selection and Assessment centres.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1.Be work ready and employable and understand the importance of being enterprising and entrepreneurial through the reflection upon your career goals in relation to your personal and professional development and citizenship (Learning, Reflection)
2.Demonstrate competence in a variety of skills associated with job interviews and professional writing through being a good communicator with the confidence to interact with a range of colleagues. Effectively communicate your skill and abilities to employers through the problem solving and contextualisation of your own experiences in work-based situations. (Knowledge & Understanding, Application)
3.Self-evaluate and reflect on your progress in developing the attributes considered essential for the Staffordshire Graduate (Analysis, Reflection)
RESOURCES
Portfolio Guidance
Student Handbook/ Module Notes
Computing facilities for accessing material on the web/ Blackboard will be available to support the module
The module will be supported by an Enterprise & Employability Resource Bank that will provide learning materials from your Faculty/School, Careers as well as external contributors. Students will be encouraged through the Students Union’s Enterprise Society to make use of student-led activities such as workshops, mentoring and networking events provided by NACUE (National Consortium of University Entrepreneurs) as well using and populating a website/depository for disseminating and sharing ‘good practice’.
TEXTS
Anderson, L. & Bolt, S. (2013) Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success. Pearson Ed.
Kirton, B. (2012) Brilliant Workplace Skills for Students and Graduates, Prentice Hall
Bolton, G.E.J. (2014) Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development, SAGE Publications Ltd.
Cottrell, S., (2011), Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument, Palgrave: Basingstoke
Further Texts will be advised by School/ Faculty
Part of the portfolio analysis will be the need for the student to identify the resources
Learning Strategies
The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 150 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 111 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks. Learning support material will be provided for the module.
The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning.