Professional Placement Foundation

Module title	Professional Placement Foundation
Module code	GEO1317
Academic year	2024/5
Credits
Module staff	Dr Kerry Burton (Lecturer)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	1	11	1

Number students taking module (anticipated)	20

Module description

This 1^st year module forms part of the ‘with Professional Placement’ pathway. This non-credit bearing module provides you with both the information on the professional placement opportunity and support to develop the employability and personal development skills needed to explore career opportunities and source and apply for a professional placement, as well as information from previous placement students on their application process and experiences out on placement.

Delivery is through blended learning with a combination of introduction lecture, workshops, returning student presentations, and online resources.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This is a non-credit bearing module that aims to prepare you for your ‘with Professional Placement’ pathway, for the tasks and activities related to finding and securing a suitable placement for the third year of your degree.

The combination of sessions and e-learning resources focus on career exploration, self-awareness of personal strengths, searching and applying for placements.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Differentiate the employability skills (competencies) relevant to placements or graduate employment.
2. Identify and critically reflect on personal experiences that demonstrate relevant employability skills.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. Locate and interpret information sources to identify academic and employability skills development opportunities on your degree.
4. Locate and interpret information sources to identify career options where your degree subject area is essential/desirable/useful.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Appraise the purpose and benefits of undertaking a 12-month placement.
6. Locate appropriate services and resources to help with career planning and placement search.
7. Research for jobs/roles and opportunities

Syllabus plan

It is envisaged that the syllabus is likely to include some or all of the following topics, although precise content and order may vary.

Term 1:

Introduction session which will include: a short overview & introduction lecture, returning placement student presentations, Q&A and a chance for networking with returning placement students.

Term 2 sessions may include:

Information & Q&A session - Introduction to programme, benefits of placements and support of offer
Workshops covering: e.g. Searching for placements / CVs / Cover letters / Applications

Term 3

Lectures/workshops:

- Where to begin? Exploring Careers

- How to make it happen – CV writing workshop

- How to mark it happen – Introduction to applications

- Developing your network and finding placement opportunities

- Interview Experience

- Next steps

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
14	16

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	14	Lectures & workshop sessions.
Guided Independent Study	16	Individual participation in e-learning tasks, research of potential roles, CV building.

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
0	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

ELE – 1603 Professional Placement foundation

Career Zone online careers resources:

Deciding: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/careerplanning/deciding/

Planning: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/careerplanning/planning/

Competing: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/careerplanning/competing/

My Career Zone Digital: https://mycareerzone.careercentre.me/Members

Handshake: https://exeter.joinhandshake.co.uk/stu

Key words search

Professional placement, employment experience, work experience, industrial placement, employability, careers, CV, application, career planning, interview, work placement.

Credit value
Module ECTS	0
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	10/03/2023