Placement Preparation

Teaching job seeking skills one to many (i.e. lectures and tutorials), has

several pitfalls. Notably, advice is not individually

tailored and not specific to each job application.

Vygotsky (1978) also highlighted that skills are

better developed when teaching is closely connect-

ed to the task, known as the zone of proximal

learning. One to one support tackles these prob-

lems and should be an essential component of ca-

reer development activity, but this is not always

possible for every student.

Peer supported mentoring enables both issues to be addressed. Firstly

students can provide additional support to the existing teaching, by

providing one to one support. And secondly, they can provide percep-

tion and viewpoints that compliment generalised support. Student men-

tors also gain from this exchange. Peer-supported learning as part of

the Business and Enterprise group placement preparation is presented

as a poster.

Developing Student Mentors to Support the Placement Process

By Dr Andy Hirst (Course Leader Business and ICT,

IT with Business Studies and IT Management)

Background

Enabled through the employability stand of their course, stu-

dents have taken it upon themselves to support 2nd years stu-

dents in their own quest for a placement. With guidance from

their employability tutor each successive year has built on the

provision from the previous year.

How we teach Employability: An Overview

Andy currently runs the employability strand for Business and En-

terprise courses. Students experience each year a practical module

that supports undergraduate soft skills development.

A range of teaching strategies are employed; simulation (e.g.

SIMVenture and IBM Business Challenge); role play (Speed Net-

working); 'real' project based experiences (e.g. Venture Matrix and

Hallam Volunteering); and varied approaches within lectures and

tutorials (e.g. "wisdom of crowds", "whiteboarding"; discussion and

debates).

Assessment strategies are diverse to invigorate and stimulate think-

ing styles. Assessment ranges from traditional essay and reports

through to presentations, posters and reflective blogs. Emphasis is

also placed on critical reflection that bridges theory and practice.

Emphasis is placed on student engagement with the tasks and the

real contribution they make to each client project. Aside from the

direct support for gaining employment, these modules build stu-

dent confidence and a can do attitude.

Employability Boosters

Team of students worked with Maths students to

develop an online tool to help students pass numeri-

cal reasoning tests.

Username: employability Password: boosters

Placeyourself

Team of students developed workshops

to deliver assessment centre exercises.

They also support students on a 1-2-1

bases with cover letters and applications

Student Placement Preparation

SPP

Created assessment centre work-

shop. Invited external employers

from IBM to run sessions. Devel-

oped mentoring support. Created

Website, twitter and Linkedin

WEBSITE

Development steps o

f mentorin

g programme