HR9508 - Employability & Career Planning

You will attend an introductory lecture and learn first-hand from students returning from their own placement year. There are two-hour workshops designed to take you through career planning, making applications, and the process of selection for your chosen role. As well as understanding the theory of employability, learning is through small group and whole class discussion, through the opportunities for formative feedback on your developing work, and also through opportunities for skills practice. There is a wealth of supporting information and videos on the module site to support your learning. We expect you to complete the relevant pre-work for each workshop as this an essential part of the group learning experience.

Support will provided by an experienced member of academic staff leading the module and delivering the introductory lecture. Your workshop seminar consists of a small number of students and here your seminar tutor provides closer, more tailored academic support, working with you each week to help you get the most from formative feedback and the learning experience overall. The module tutor is also available to give additional support if you have particular challenges or special needs. Active participation in class is encouraged as learning from other students’ experiences is an important part of understanding employability and career development. The module is supported by an e-learning portal which contains a rich variety of self-study materials as well as the materials you need for the seminar series. You will be provided with templates to help you complete documents such as your CV and cover letter, and a reading list to help prepare you for the assessment.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Understand the concept of employability and its practical application in your planned journey from education into employment. (MLO1)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Evidence skills and abilities relating to your employability which are necessary to make successful placement and graduate-level job applications through the creation of a professional portfolio and career plan. (MLO2)

Formative assessment will be provided throughout the seminars as each involves pre-work and in-class activity in which peer and tutor feedback will be given (for example in respect of CVs and performance in interview role-plays). The activities undertaken in seminars form the basis of the material included in the Appendices to the summative assessment.

The summative assessment consists of a portfolio of evidence comprising:
1. 3,000 word reflective commentary on (a) the graduate labour market and (b) your planned journey from education into employment [75%]

This element will address MLO1.

2. A set of appendices comprising various outputs from seminar activities, including CV, application form and cover letter [25%]

This element will address MLO2.

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To maximise your chances of finding a placement or graduate-level role, you need to know how to stand out from the crowd, and this module helps you achieve exactly that. Through group work and independent study, you explore the concept of employability and its practical application in your planned journey from education into employment. Tutors with significant knowledge of employability, career development and human resource management, will lead you through a series of structured seminars. They will draw on their knowledge and experience to help you evidence relevant attributes, skills and abilities through specific activities focused on the recruitment and selection process. They will provide advice and support as you create a CV, application form and cover letter which all showcase what makes you different. When you complete this module, you will have the skills, ability, and confidence to make an impactful application to any employer.