NES8211 : Your Future - occupational awareness
NES8211 : Your Future - occupational awareness
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Catherine Douglas
- Other Staff: Ms Lara Hope, Miss Helen Atkinson
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
The module aims to enhance:
1) the students’ awareness of the wider occupational context of graduate destinations related to their
discipline and personal interests and
2) their resourcefulness in relation to personal development though reflecting on skills and attributes and
formulating professional and personal development strategies.
Outline Of Syllabus
The Module offers students an opportunity to explore an occupation (industry sector or research) holistically and engage in personal development. It is 100 hours of time to focus on their future.
Through a case study the students will independently research an occupation of personal interest (this may be in for example, the commercial sector, research e.g. PhD, own business, teaching). This will involve inter alia: using current / previous role descriptions or PhD opportunities; contacting people in that industry (potentially alumni) through informational interviews to gather information on career paths, a typical day, career prospects, other roles within the industry. The student will also research the current state of the industry, future direction / developments, global issues, current key legislation. As a result, students will increase their awareness of ethical, legal and commercial issues / frameworks governing the industry/research/self-employed sector that they may wish to enter. They will summarise this in an assessed presentation in a “careers fair” type event to peers and Stage 1 and 2 on their course. This will be before the main exam period.
In addition, students will also reflect on their current skills and consider their own career development targets in the light of requirements for their chosen career and put together an action plan to enhance their personal skills and employability. Students will engage with at least 3 development opportunities. For example, those delivered by the careers service; a resourcefulness and emotional agility seminar; social networking for professionals; good practice in web-design; on-line courses or other professional or personal development (this could include workplace shadowing). While students will be guided towards events offered by the careers service and other supporting materials, they can be innovative in their approach to self-development.
Before the Semester 2 exam period, students will undertake a role play interview (15 minutes) which will be structured like part of a job interview for a graduate position. It will include a range of seen questions for which the students can have prepared answers. It will include a question on reflection of personal and professional development. This will help to consolidate learning of all the module learning outcomes – as well as building confidence in the student’s oral communication skills under this realistic employment scenario.
PLEASE NOTE THIS MODULE IS LAUNCHED IN SEMESTER 1 TO GIVE STUDENTS ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVEOPLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE CAREERS SERVICE. Students can change modules and join in semester 2, but will have missed out on some opportunities.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
Following this module students will be able to:
1) Describe the opportunities available in a range of graduate professions and the local, national and global
context in which they operate;
2) Synthesise a comprehensive overview of the sector they wish to enter demonstrating an understanding of the
interrelationships between their discipline and other disciplines
3) Synthesise a career plan in a particular sector
Intended Skill Outcomes
Following this module student will be able to:
1) prepare effectively for interview by gathering, extracting and evaluating relevant information
2) research careers of interest to them and the wider context within which they operate
3) Have greater confidence in communication particularly with potential employers
4) Evaluate the impact and communicate the personal development that has taken place.
5) Be more resourceful: self aware, able to reflect and select support strategies for personal wellbeing
and to enhance career prospects
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Online lecture materials via Canvas |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Preparation of CV |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Preparation and delivery of presentation |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 31:00 | 31:00 | CPD and well-being |
Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Career research and well-being |
Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Non synchronous module research and reading |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | Synchronous online small group teaching |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | PiP small group teaching |
Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Interview practice |
Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Reflective log |
Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The majority of the module is student led: researching into areas of interest or undertaking development opportunities. The first lecture launches the module with an overview and the tasks it entails, with further formal lectures outlining the assessment formats. There are compulsory tutorials for the student to update on their progress. There are optional drop-in sessions to offer further face to face individual support, and formative feedback.
The use of varied workshops and protected time allocated to this module to attend these increase the opportunity for students to tailor this protected time towards their individual interests and their future career aspirations.
Teaching methods are a blended approach incorporating some pre-recorded instructional/lecture-type material supported with follow-up present in person seminars to consolidate / enhance knowledge plus question and answer / drop-in sessions which are present in person and synchronous online, to enhance skills developed aligned with increased use of online meetings in the workplace. Students will also have in person meetings and online meetings with their designated mentor. Students are paired with a student to each offer mentorship to the other.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral Presentation | 10 | 2 | M | 100 | 8 minute recorded presentation on your chosen case study (industry/research sector) + 2 mins questions. |
Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments
Description | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|
Reflective log | M | Reflective log |
Oral Presentation | M | Mentoring of allocated student to rehearse presentation and interview |
Portfolio | M | Updated CV |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The preparation for the assessment covers the learning outcomes. The presentation summarises the salient points and enables all students to enhance their knowledge of related sectors including other stages. The formative role play interview helps create an authentic scenario in which students will be assessed in the work place. It also gives students the opportunity to interview each other, again a useful confidence building experience, for which they will receive immediate personal feedback.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES8211's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NES8211's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.
You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.
Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.