module specification

 This module enables students to develop employability skills and competencies, understand the nature of work, and work toward developing a portfolio of skills and competencies to facilitate the transition into graduate level employment. The modules combines a series of taught classes combined with either project-work opportunities or career development opportunities to be provided in conjunction with external employers and organisations. Students can choose two pathways through the modules:

1) Undertake group project organised by the University in collaboration with external agencies and employers, working on a defined work-based project with clear and define outcomes and expectations such as for example the production of marketing material, videos, photography, or other such project suitable to careers in the media or media-related industries. Projects will be advertised by week 5 and participation in projects will be based on competitive applications.

2) Undertake an individual and tailored career development programme in collaboration with external agencies and employers involving participation in all stages of application and interview for one of a selection of simulated positions relevant to careers in media or media-related industries, including application, interview and feedback. The stages of this programme will be evaluated by people drawn from industry.  

A series of taught classes will support both pathways through the module, and will be timetabled for the first 8 weeks of the module; an additional session in week 12 will encourage reflection and engagement in assessment activities. The module aims to enable students to:

1. Consider their employability in relation to graduate careers goals, through the development of professional competencies and knowledge through work experience.
2. Increase / develop critical, self-reflective ability and self-efficacy.
3. Demonstrate theoretical concepts / transferable competencies in a practical, problem solving context.
4. Gain understanding of current issues, practices and relevant legislation within a particular organisational context.
5. Build personal networks, explore employment options and consider future career plans.

N/A

 The curriculum will follow a nine-week taught programme divided into two pathways. All students will be required to attend the first five weeks of teaching, following a curriculum designed to develop work related learning skills, critical reflection skills, and engagement with the work related learning experience.

From weeks 6 – 11 students on the project pathway will be engaged on completing their project work under supervision from nominated academic supervisors. LO1-4

From weeks 6 – 9 students on the careers development pathway will undertake an additional series of taught sessions in preparation for careers development activities that take place in weeks 10 / 11. LO1-4

In week 12 all students will be required to attend a taught session to reflect on their experience and to submit their first assignment.

Issues address during the curriculum include:
● Suitable work related learning options
● Job search strategies and the labour market
● Job application and selections approaches (e.g. CVs, application forms, interviews)
● Articulating their abilities effectively
● Professionalism and workplace ethics
● Being a critical employee
● Health and safety in the workplace
● Critical self-reflection
● Setting personal learning goals / learning contracts
● Meeting the learning outcomes whilst undertaking work related learning
● Meeting the assessment requirements of the module
● Support available during the work related learning
Planning long and short term career goals

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars/discussion groups, audio-visual presentations, field trips, and guest presentations. Students will be expected to attend lectures and take notes; attend organised trips and arrange independent trips to film festivals or other events; students will be expected to read from primary and secondary sources and to use seminars and tutorials to raise issues and seek feedback. Students will either undertake project work or be involved in personalized career development activities.

A blended learning strategy will be employed to enhance the learning experience, facilitate communication between students and tutors and develop collaboration among students. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be used as a platform to support online activities including on-line discussions, evaluation of online resources, and access to electronic reading packs. The VLE will also be used to facilitate formative assessment and related feedback, as well as a tool to integrate useful online learning materials provided by research institutions, academic publications, professional organisations and other relevant sources.

 The learning outcomes are generic to be flexible to a variety of workplace contexts (in accordance with the QAA Chapter B10, 2012).  On successful completion of this module students will have demonstrated that they can:

1. Evaluate their experiences in the workplace, particularly where they have demonstrated autonomy and innovation and critically reflect on the significance of the professional skills and competencies developed to their graduate career goals.
2. Identify and debate challenging scenarios experienced in the workplace and suggest appropriate resolutions, via application of appropriate theory.
3. Evaluate the contribution they have provided to the organisation and critically analyse complex problems encountered, in the role and how they applied appropriate knowledge to provide effective solutions.
4. Critically reflect upon how their work and study experience relates to their long-term personal, career and academic development and action plan in relation to their graduate career goals.

 The module is assessed via formative and summative elements and includes the following:

1. Reflective portfolio with any supporting evidence (Week 12)

1) Project work pathway: students will be required to produce a portfolio of work produced as part of the group project with which they are engaged and a clear reflective report outlining their contribution to the project.
2) Career development pathway: students will be required to produce a portfolio or work consisting of CV and application for a simulated appointment, evidence of having undertaken a 15 minute individual interview with an external employer for that simulated appointment, written feedback on their application and interview, and a critical reflection on how they could improve and develop their application and interview technique.

2. Critical reflection on the work related learning experience (week 15)

Students on both pathways will be required to produce a 2000 word critical reflection on their work related learning experience that will engage with their personal development, engagement with the module, and positive outcomes from the experience.

 Books

Core Reading:
• Durrant A, Rhodes G, Young D, (2011), Getting started with university-level work based learning, 2nd edition, Libri Publishing, London

Additional Reading:
• Cottrell, S (2010) Skills for success: the personal development planning handbook  2nd Ed, Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
• Fanthome C (2004) Work placements : a survival guide for students Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke
• Herbert I and Rothwell A (2005) Managing your placement, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke
• Kirton B (2012) Brilliant workplace skills for students and graduates Prentice Hall, Harlow
• Lumley M and Wilkinson J (2014) Developing employability for business Oxford University Press, Oxford
• Moon J (2004) A Handbook of reflective and experiential learning: theory and practice Routledge Falmer, London
• Rook, S. (2015) Work Experience, Placements and Internships (Palgrave Career Skills), Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke
• Scherer A (2012) Brilliant intern Prentice Hall, Harlow
• Trought F (2012) Brilliant employability skills Prentice Hall, Harlow

Online careers information

London Metropolitan University http://student.londonmet.ac.uk/jobs-and-employment/career-and-employability-advice/
www.prospects.ac.uk
http://targetjobs.co.uk

Other resources appropriate to the placement and determined by the Employer Supervisor and Subject Tutor.