Preparing to Graduate
| Module title | Preparing to Graduate |
|---|---|
| Module code | GEO3471 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 5 |
| Module staff | Dr Katie Orchel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
To get a desirable job after graduation, it is essential that you start thinking about your future career during your degree. This module will ensure that all graduating students are aware of the different career paths available in the geographical and environmental sciences, and will allow you to gain the skills and experience necessary to maximise your chance of securing graduate-level employment. You will be provided with an opportunity to attend career-focused seminars which will give advice on self-promotion (through CVs, application forms, covering letters and web resources) as well as advice on obtaining CV enhancing skills and experience (e.g. through internships, Graduate Business Partnerships, postgraduate study, etc.). There will also be an opportunity to engage with employers to get their view on what makes applicants stand out.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with the necessary skills and experience to make decisions about your future career and secure graduate level employment. You will attend career-focused seminars and will receive feedback on your CV and covering letter.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Compose an effective and well-presented CV, complete with supporting cover letter, making clear links between your experience and the job description
- 2. Successfully navigate selection processes
- 3. Make career-related decisions taking into account personal priorities and constraints
- 4. Search for job opportunities in your chosen field using a range of resources
- 5. Communicate effectively to the general public, and explain why this is important in a number of different career paths
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Identify and investigate the range of career opportunities available and relevant to a student with a degree in geographical and environmental sciences
- 7. Present the knowledge and the skills gained during your degree and show how these can enhance your future employability
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Showcase your skills, motivations and personal career development needs and promote these
- 9. Use the internet to enhance career prospects
- 10. Evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses in relation to graduate-level professional and practical skills, and act autonomously to develop new areas of skills as necessary
- 11. Reflect effectively and independently on learning experiences and evaluate personal achievements
Syllabus plan
This module will typically cover the following key areas:
- Self-reflecton on your interests, values, aspirations
- how to find careers information and advice
- How to write a CV including a focus on how to extract “skills” from extant learning and experience
- How to write letters covering letters and complete application forms
- The pros and cons of postgraduate study
- Interview techniques
- Advice on what employers are really looking for.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 41 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Student learning and teaching | 9 | Seminars |
| Guided independent study | 41 | Conducting additional reading and research in preparation for module assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short answer questions during seminars | Ongoing throughout the module | All | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CV and covering letter | 100 | 2 page CV, 1 page covering letter | 1-4, 7-11 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| CV and covering letter | CV and covering letter | 1-4, 7-11 | August assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to write a further CV and cover letter. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Cottrell, S. (2003), Skills for Success: The Personal Development Handbook. Palgrave Macmillan.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=13661
- www.ex.ac.uk/employability
| Credit value | 5 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 2.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/02/2022 |
| Last revision date | 08/07/2022 |
