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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CSER3212 Advanced Career Development - Business Awareness

20 creditsClass Size: 32

Module manager: Becky Clark
Email: r.j.clark@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

Pre-requisite qualifications

This module does not have any pre-requisite qualifications. However we anticipate that students who benefit the most from this module will have undertaken an accredited careers-related module as part of their degree and/or will have undertaken some work experience (which could be summer or part-time work) since starting at Leeds.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This discovery level 3 module will support further students in their career development. They will increase their awareness of current graduate recruitment trends across the sectors in order to apply it to their own plans. They will also increase their Business Awareness through an exploration of skills and concepts that will equip them to demonstrate their commercial awareness to a potential employer in a range of sectors and/or to start their own venture.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate current and predicted trends in the graduate recruitment market across the private, public and third sectors.
2. Critically evaluate the range of interpretations of commercial awareness and entrepreneurship in the context of the graduate opportunity structure.
3. Review critically the key success factors for running and managing a venture within specific business contexts (start-up, corporate, public sector, the third sector).
4. Develop an understanding of the key elements of a successful business plan.
5. Develop a personal network within graduate recruitment and business start-up to support individual learning.
6. Reflect on individual interests and capabilities in the application of appropriate models of commercial awareness.
7. Develop an action plan to maximise their chances of success along their chosen path within the graduate opportunity structure.

Learning outcomes
1. The range of definitions of commercial awareness that exist in the private and public sector.
2. Key success factors in business planning and applicability across sectors.
3. Current and predicted trends in the graduate recruitment market.

Skills outcomes
- Effective review and analysis of graduate labour market intelligence from a range of sources including professional bodies, providers, third parties and the media
- Ability to develop a realistic and informed career action plan which reflects self-awareness and will support progress towards longer term goals
- Networking and informational interviewing in a professional context with a wide range of graduate opportunity providers
- Articulation of career focus and commercial awareness through applications, CVs and in interview situations
- Ability to a develop a business idea into an initial stage business plan that identifies the market opportunity, potential competitors, funding sources and potential resources and shows how the business could commence early-stage trading.

Syllabus

Understanding and analysis of current graduate recruitment trends across the public, private and third sector.
Interpretation of Commercial Awareness by sector, organisation and role.
Business planning in a range of contexts.
Research and Connection with appropriate sectors and people.
Application of learning to individual preferences leading to appropriate action plans and applications for graduate opportunities.

The syllabus will be supported by the development of a theoretical business idea (a group project). This will be used as a model to explore the key concepts introduced (as listed above). In addition there will be an underpinning theme of review and reflection on individual skills and motivations.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Directed Study	4	2.00	8.00
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Group learning	8	1.00	8.00
Seminar	9	2.00	18.00
Private study hours			164.00
Total Contact hours			36.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The private study will be made up of:
1. Time spent researching graduate recruiters and their expectation of commercial awareness as a recruitment competence.
2. Time spent researching and analysing the current and predicted graduate recruitment market in the private, public and third sectors.
3. Attendance at two Spark Business Start-Up Workshops (see description of Spark under Rationale within the Progress section) and at two Careers Centre-organised graduate recruitment presentations.
4. Building an individual network of recruiters and entrepreneurs. Staring with attendance at Careers Fairs and Events and use of the the Leeds Graduate Careers Network, students will be expected to develop links with professionals within employment and self-employment and to incorporate their insights from these contacts into their project report assignment and group presentation.
5. Reflection on individual interests and capabilities to identify appropriate sectors within which to develop networks and on which to base the commercial awareness Report.
6. Development of personal plans for the first twelve months after graduation.
7. Reflection on skills, abilities and knowledge in order to describe how they will be deployed in order to create graduate success in the current and predicted climate.
8. Research and preparation for individual assignments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance will be expected at every taught session. Students will be expected to arrange at least one 45 minute individual guidance appointment with the tutors to discuss their career plans and their assignment. We will recommend that this takes place during weeks 3 - 6. They are welcome to make additional and earlier appointments to support them in their career development. The scheduling of the module enables the tutor to be available to answer short, individual queries at the end of every session.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	50.00
Report	2,500	35.00
Presentation	15 minute group pitch	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/05/2015

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