2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2810 Career Planning for POLIS Students

20 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Dr Steve Carter
Email: s.g.carter@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is mutually exclusive with

CSER2101	Career Development 1
CSER2201	Career Development 2

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Have you ever wanted time and space in your studies to give serious thought as to what you can do with your POLIS degree? Ever wanted the opportunity to apply for a graduate level job, have a mock interview and be given feedback on the process? If 'yes' is the answer to the above this module will allow you to build on the intellectual skills and knowledge you are developing in your degree and equip you with the practical know-how needed to navigate the selection processes for public sector jobs such as the Civil Service Fast Stream or private sector companies such as KPMG. Delivered through ten two hour workshops you will also have the opportunity to take part in a 'Skills Challenge'. For this assignment you will be broken down into teams to research the skills of a an organisation or company of your choice find out what they are looking for in potential recruits and present your findings back to members of staff and graduate recruiters.The workshops and assignments are designed to give you the practical knowledge to give you a head start in the graduate application process.

Objectives

- To make POLIS students more aware of the skills needed and routes available for their personal career path(s) including post-graduate study both within their discipline or for other professional qualifications.
- To be equipped with the skills to seek out further opportunities for self-development.

Learning outcomes
Student knowledge of career paths and their requisite skills; awareness of their, student(s), skills and intellectual knowledge in relation to career paths; to be able to identify gaps in the above and what action to take to remedy this and the opportunities they need to seek.

Syllabus

Week One
Introduction to the module & assessments:
- Module objectives & learning outcomes;
- Introduction to assessments and group exercise;
- Introduction to careers resources.

Week Two
The Graduate Workplace:
- Introduction to the graduate employment market and employability/enterprise skills - though POLIS specific these will include the knowledge that they can be applied to the private sector;
- First destination information of previous graduates - POLIS destinations;
- Options after university - further study, internships, employment;
- Decision making.

Week Three
Networking:
- This session emphasises the importance of networking backed up by the use of the employer events and careers fairs to put this skill into practice.

Week Four
Making Applications:
- Describing your experience/skills
- How to target a CV and cover letter
- How to complete application forms and articulate your skills to an employer.

Week Five
Importance of Working in Teams:
- What is your preferred role in a team?
- Teamwork exercise - political campaign/lobbying team;
- Analysing team working styles;
- Allocate groups for Skills Challenge.

Week Six
Enterprise:
- What is entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship?
- How can these skills be developed - and utilised by both commercial and political organisations.

Week Seven
Interview workshop:
- What to expect at a graduate interview;
- This will include the kinds of questions you are likely to be asked and the importance of body language;
- Preparation for mock interview.

Week Eight
Mock interview:
- Based on their application, the student will be given verbal and written feedback on their performance.

Week Nine
Preparation for the 'Skills Challenge' competition.

Week Ten
'Skills Challenge' competition.

Week Eleven
Self - Development Review
- Skills challenge feedback;
- Review of learning on module;
- Evaluation.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Students will research their own career ideas via looking at relevant websites, books, journals, and direct contact/networking with employers. This will contribute to the reflective log they have to produce for one of the assessments.
- They will also work in groups during non-contact time for the Skills Challenge, researching and designing their presentation on a political theme which will also be assessed.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be monitored by them being given the chance to discuss any problems they have with the module by contacting me at the Careers Centre as well as regular checking during the workshops that they understand what is required of them.

They will also be given the chance in week 7 of teaching to submit a project plan of their reflective log for some formative feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	2 x 400 word Employer networking assignment	10.00
Essay	1 x 1,000 word mock interview critique	20.00
Presentation	'Skills Challenge' verbal presentation	20.00
Reflective log	1 x 3,000 word reflective log (personal project)	50.00
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: 23/02/2017

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