DIT CAREER DEVELOPEENT CENTRE

Building employability through positive transitions

TRANSITION INTO FIRST YEAR

STUDENT FEEDBACK IN

CLASS

ACADEMIC

• Was responsible for my own learning• Attended classes • Asked Questions • Studied!! Read around subject (not just reading list.)• Participated in group activities• Planned my study & college life. Timetable . • Developed Study/Exam skills• Struggled academically and got help e.g. maths learning centre,

academic writing centre, grinds, lecturers, classmates / study groups, family, friends, Khan Academy

• used to IT systems / Webcourses. Used the library.• Was unsure of course is for me – spoke to course tutor, career

development centre, students in later years (remember 31st October)

• Realised this course wasn’t for me and found out about my options (Accepted that it was ok to change my mind!)

PERSONAL • Got help early!• Registered with Disability Service if needed.• Made friends / Got to know people / Built relationships with lecturers• Looked after myself. Took a day off sometimes. Got enough sleep• Set personal goals – short term and long term• Took risks – was assertive - pushed myself in class – went out of my comfort

zone and grew in self esteem and confidence• Acknowledged that feeling challenged is part of the academic process• Got to know myself better . Reflected more on what I do well and what I need

to work on. did some self awareness questionnaires (see later slide)• Engaged in academic group sessions in class – discovered I can be a leader etc. • Got to know my physical surroundings • Was feeling overwhelmed .Talked to the college Counsellor / Chaplain etc• Lived with people I didn’t know. Washed and cooked for myself. • Planned & got used to commute to/from college.

SOCIAL

• Got to know the people in class. Talked to classmates / other students.

• Didn’t sit in same place in classroom every time• Joined some clubs and societies to meet friends, gain experience

and add to my skill set (great for CV. Also builds team skills, organisational skills etc.)

• Went out socially as a class group• Made sure to include everyone• Joined class facebook page• Realized that some of the friendships I make on this course, I will for

the rest of my life. • Moved into rented accommodation or digs - has been a great

opportunity to hook up with new people

VOCATIONAL

• Started to think about what I wanted from a career• Researched on the career options that would suit me by doing some self-

assessment exercises• ID typical/alternate career options after course / what past grads have

done• Spoke to people in jobs that interest me• Started to think about my ‘USP’ – what would make me stand out?• Tried to get some work experience (part-time or during the summer?)• Found out about further study• Identified professional bodies linked to course of study

In the following months years.....• Thought about my network of contacts and how they might help me; met

employers; ID successful job hunting techniques etc.; built really good CV or application form; got interview tips / coaching; consider setting up own business and ID supports.