Access to the Staffordshire University Careers Service, its advisors and resources
Access to web-based resources held by Staffordshire University:
Careersweb at: http://learning.staffs.ac.uk/careersweb/careers
Access to web for general graduate employment guidance and support
Prospects website at: http://www.prospects.ac.uk
University Library,Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre,

The module seeks firstly, to develop advanced understanding of career and professional practice in job sectors related to environmental and geography disciplines; and secondly, to develop selected skills in employability, career management and personal development planning for final year undergraduates on the geography and environment awards. There are two parallel teaching and learning strands to this module. One strand uses a series of presentations by professionals with a background / training in geography or related disciplines to develop an awareness of the range and diversity of potential careers opportunities open to graduates from the geography and environment awards. These presentations are also used as a vehicle to encourage students to identify the range of knowledge specific and transferable skills that geography and environment graduates can bring both to the work place and to society more widely. In addition, the students, working in groups, develop their inter-personal, reflective, transferable and research skills by producing an action plan to address a specific geographical, environmental or sustainability issue/challenge within the local area.

The portfolio consists of a group project, speaker review and CV (Learning outcomes 1 - 4)

Additional Assessment Details:
Individual contribution to group project based in preparing a brief of an important geographical or environmental issue confronting the local community. Groups will receive formative feedback on project proposals at an interim stage. The assessment will consist of a negotiated artefact (poster; vodcast) accompanied by a short supporting documentation including research reference list.

A short review (1000 words) on contribution of geographic / environmental skills to contemporary societal challenges with reference to a specific sector; CV.

Students will receive formative feedback on draft CV and project plan.

Class Contact: 20 hours, consisting of:
(a) Careers & Key Skills workshops (4 * 2 hours): 8 hours
(b) Practitioner presentation and Q. and A. sessions (3 * 2 hours): 6 hours
(c) Project workshops (3 * 2 hours): 6 hours

Independent Study Hours
(a) Work towards the portfolio: 60 hours
Research and writing short review on employability and contribution of geography/environment graduates; CV.
(b) Work towards the project: 70 hours
Research and execution of group-based project on geographic/environmental issue in the local environment; production of artefact

Bolton Gillie E J (2010) Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development
(3rd edition) Sage: London

Cottrell, S. (2010) Skills for Success. The Personal Development Planning Handbook (2nd edition). Palgrave

Fasulo, M. & Walker, P. (2007) Careers in the Environment. McGraw Hill

Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) (2007) Them & Us - A publication for Geography, Earth and Environmental Science Staff and Students. Higher Education Academy: GEES, Cheltenham

Littleford, D, Halstead, J. and Mulraine, C. (2004) Career Skills. Palgrave Macmillan

Parkin, S.(2010) The Positive Deviant: Sustainability Leadership in a Perverse World. Earthscan

The Environmental Careers Organisation (2004) The ECO guide to Careers That Make a Difference: Environmental Work for a Sustainable World. Island Press