SO372-15 Employer Project for Social Sciences
Introductory description
This module includes training components (workshops) at the University on writing a tailored CV and cover letter, internal selection application with feedback provided to students, a remote placement with employers offering a structured remote project with weekly meetings, participation in research & teams meetings and the possibility (logistics permitting) to spend a day on-site at the organisation. At the end of the project students are assessed through a reflective essay and a poster on their placement experience and development of their professional skills. This module starts during the Term 2 of Year 2, with workshops on writing CV & Cover Letter, practice on application writing with feedback. Remote placement with the hosting organisation to occurs in Term 1 of Year 3. Weekly support meetings with students to disscuss progress of the project and solve any drawbacks will be offered by Teresa Pinheiro.
Module aims
To offer student opportunities to enhance and refine their skills on writing a tailored CV and cover letter through workshops and internal applications process; gain work experience on relevant sectors through an employer-lead project; acquire key skills on project & time management, team work and working to a brief; develop and reflect on transferable skills, leadership skills, self-confidence, communications skills, and soft skills. Opportunities to visit the employer organisation during the project will be encourage and will be agreed upfront.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Gain a range of transferable skills and strengthen students' employability profile (tailoring CV and applications; applying thought skills to the workplace; self-confidence; presentation and communication skills).
- Gain a good understanding on how a professional workplace operates (team work; leadership skills; communications with managers and other employees; general soft skills for the workplace).
- Critically reflect on employability skills acquired through the module and placement experience.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Gain a range of transferable skills and strengthen their employability profile (tailoring CV and applications; self-confidence for work readiness)
- Gain a good understanding on how a professional workplace operates (teamwork; leadership skills; communications with managers and other employees; soft skills for the workplace).
- Critically reflect on employability skills acquired through the module and placement experience.
Research element
Placement might include primary research elements.
Interdisciplinary
Placement might include work/insights across disciplines.
Subject specific skills
Remote placement, where students are supervised and work on an employer-led project spread over a Term1 of Year 3, 7 hrs/week over a duration of 10 weeks. Students apply taught knowledge and skills to relevant work sectors enabling career exploration and development of employability skills.
Transferable skills
- Tailoring CV and applications
- Self-confidence for the workplace
- Communication skills with an employer and other employees, incl. social media (blog)
- Knowledge on how a professional workplace operates
- Team work & leadership skills
- Soft skills for the workplace
- Critically reflect on the experience of a work project with an employer and the skills acquired through the module
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 3 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Project supervision | 10 sessions of 30 minutes (3%) |
| Placement | 93 hours (62%) |
| Private study | 9 hours (6%) |
| Assessment | 40 hours (27%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Preparation for placement including reading on placement topic
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective Essay (2500 words) | 70% | 30 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Reflective essay on placement experience and skills gained |
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| Poster | 30% | 10 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Poster on placement |
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Feedback on assessment
Poster: Written feedback will be provided on the poster.
Summative: Written feedback will be provided on the summative essay.
Pre-requisites
This employer project module is open to all students in Social Sciences that have not met the criterium for QS305 module NOR have secured a place on the new self-sourced summer placement module.
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 3 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of USOA-L301 BA in Sociology
- Year 4 of USOA-L306 BA in Sociology (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 3 of USOA-L314 Undergraduate Sociology and Criminology
- Year 4 of USOA-L315 Undergraduate Sociology and Criminology (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Option list A for:
-
ULAA-ML34 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 4 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 5 of ULAA-ML35 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 4 of ULAA-ML35 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 3 of ULAA-M135 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
This module is Option list D for:
- Year 3 of UHIA-VL13 Undergraduate History and Sociology
- Year 4 of UHIA-VL14 Undergraduate History and Sociology (with Year Abroad)