EMBEDDING VOCATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT

MODULES WITHIN UNDERGRADUATE

BIOSCIENCE PROGRAMMES

Dr Sara Marsham, School of Marine Science & Technology sara.marsham@ncl.ac.uk

Dr Alison Graham, School of Biology alison.graham@ncl.ac.uk

Inspire to succeed: Transforming teaching and learning in STEM. January 2016

@sara_marine

@alisonigraham

Outline

Aims of the modules

Module design and structure

Module assessment

Feedback and reflection

Examples of student outputs from completing placements

Aims of the modules

Developed a pair of employability skills modules in School of Biology and School of Marine Science & Technology

10 credit Semester 2 modules Undertake training in Semester 1

Complete a work placement in Semester 2 NOT work experience! Carry out a task or project relating to research,

development or communication in Biology/Marine Science on behalf of placement provider

Awarded funding from University Innovation Fund Used to employ an RA to help develop the modules

Module design

Reviewed vocational career development provision already in place across the University - built on good practice

Defined content of training sessions with Careers Service team

Networked with potential providers in the region to set up placements

Developed all handbooks/marking criteria/assessment pro-forma

Engaged with students from all three Stages in focus group discussions, to maximise the effectiveness of delivery from the start

Placement providers

Module design

Reviewed vocational career development provision already in place across the University - built on good practice

Defined content of training sessions with Careers Service team

Networked with potential providers in the region to set up placements

Developed all handbooks/marking criteria/assessment pro-formas

Engaged with students from all three Stages in focus group discussions, to maximise the effectiveness of delivery from the start

Module structure

Taught sessions

Delivered by academics, Careers Service and LTDS

Compulsory and optional tutorials

Compulsory Careers Service Skills sessions

Careers Service drop-in

Placement - 35 hours contact with provider

Examples of student outputs from completing placements

Module documentation

Student Handbook Placement Preparation form;

Health and Safety checklist; Careers Service workshop record of attendance form; Record of Activities form

Placement Supervisor Handbook Placement Supervisor Evaluation form

Assessment-specific marking criteria

What are students expected to do?

Attend range of sessions to improve their employability

Use ePortfolio to monitor progress and discuss development with academic staff

Engage with their placement and contribute to their host organisation

Complete formative and summative assessments

Module assessment

Write CV and covering letter relevant to chosen placement

Complete Health and Safety check list

Complete Careers Service workshop record of attendance

Work Placement Plan - SMART targets

Oral Presentation - STAR

effective Report/Log - STAR

placement Provider Assessment

SMART targets

SMART targets enable you to address key issues -help to progress towards goals

Create a SMART target to consider how you might embed employability within your programme

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Timescale

Module assessment

Write CV and covering letter relevant to chosen placement

Complete Health and Safety check list

Complete Careers Service workshop record of attendance

Work Placement Plan - SMART targets

Oral Presentation - STAR

Reflective Report/Log - STAR

Placement Provider Assessment

STAR

Tool to reflect on SMART targets

Students present goal, followed by STAR evaluation

Consider a positive interaction at this conference using the STAR format

Situation

Task

Action

Results

Student feedback

My placement helped me develop my

graduate skills

1 2 3 4 5

12% 12%

30%

39%

6%

1 2 3 4 5

3% 3%

24%

52%

18%

I feel more confident in

my employability

Strongly disagree Strongly agree Strongly disagree Strongly agree

Provider feedback

“The quality of the resources which X developed is

demonstrated by the fact that we will be using them in the museum with visiting school groups. I have really enjoyed working with her”

“I really enjoyed having X working with us. He is a credit to the university and we would be more

than willing to host him/another in the

future”

Thank you for participating

Questions?