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Module embedded careers and employment provision for final year earth science students: a Plymouth University example. Dr Martin Stokes School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences. Plymouth University Earth Science degrees. BSc Applied Geology BSc Geology
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Module embedded careers and employment provision for final year earth science students: a Plymouth University example Dr Martin Stokes School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences
Plymouth University Earth Science degrees • BSc Applied Geology • BSc Geology • BSc Geology with Ocean Sciences • BSc Marine Geosciences • BSc Physical Geography & Geology • MGeol • ~70-100 students in final year...but increasing .....
EOE3001: Embedded Careers & Employability EOE3001 40 credits Research Project 30 credits (75%) Professional Skills 10 credits (25%) Project Management Geological Map Field Project Workplace skills Careers Desk Project Lab Project Assessment • Primary Data • Project Report • Portfolio
EOE3001: Delivery • Weekly 2 hour seminar sessions in Term 1, reduced in T2 • Staff: Martin Stokes & Glenn Crust (Careers advisor), Jim Griffiths (HoS), past students Term 1 Term 2 October November December January February March Careers Project Management Work Place Skills • Gantt Charts: • MS Project Manager • Teamwork • Communication • Negotiation • Health & safety • CVs • Cover letters • Application forms • Online Applications • Social media • Interviews • Career resources • Past student talks • Careers Preparation • Careers Fair Focus is on Earth Science careers
EOE3001 Professional Skills Assessment • Project Logbook • Regular entries • Task auditing / actions • Data manipulation • Literature notes • Model / idea development • Professional Skills ‘Journal’ • 500+ word reflective commentary on session content • Demonstrate self awareness • Portfolio • Gantt chart – several versions • CV – several versions • Evidence for session follow-up • Reflective end module review: 1500 words • Display personal development Countersigning by project advisor
CVs Term 1 Term 2 October November December January February March Little mention of university skills / experience Pre-University CV Careers fair employer feedback Find a pre-Uni CV Or prepare a CV Project advisor feedback CV seminar: STAR technique, resources etc. University CV v. 1 Lacks sufficient evidence and still too much non uni info University CV v. 2 University CV final
Past Student Talks • Recent graduates (2-3 yrs) • PhD / MSc • Engineering geology • Hydrocarbon exploration • Mining • Non geology • 30 Minute talks • What they do. • How they got their:. • Application • Interview process • Work place skills • Projects • Workplace health and safety • Reinforces importance of the professional skills sessions • Shows that Plymouth students can succeed http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=39024
‘Geo’ Careers Fair • Held in March each year • Annual event since 2007 • Dedicated to Earth Sciences careers • Pre-fair preparation seminar • Company stalls manned by ex Plymouth graduates http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/careers/Pages/Events%20and%20opportunities/GeoCareers-2012.aspx
Some final points ..... Positives • Engagement = success • at interview and career professional development • Project management • Health and safety awareness • Personal testimony from past students Negatives • Some students perceive content to be: • Patronising • Common sense • Inappropriate for final year • Irrelevant to studying geology • Some (geology) academic staff perceptions / attitudes • Mature students • Academically ‘weak’ students • Students who have part time ‘jobs’ Students only understand employability after they have left Uni. Room for provision improvement or just natural selection?