MODULE DETAILS

Description

1. Brief description and aims of module:

The module will cover different options of postgraduate study and career paths. Students will draw on their skills and knowledge they have gained during their degree and adapt these appropriately for the career path they wish to follow. Lectures and seminars will include the use of theoretical models such as the 4A’s Model of Employability to frame the students’ learning and enable them to use the skills to follow careers in Psychology and related disciplines. The students will engage in activities which will be useful for them after graduation, when they begin the job search or further education. 

The aims of this module are to:

• Enable students to reflect on the transferable skills they have gained through their undergraduate degree and use these appropriately when applying for jobs or further education 

• To understand the requirements of different career paths in Psychology and related disciplines 

• To complete a CV which will be used for the basis of future applications 

• To critically evaluate a career path that is of interest to them, enabling a deeper understanding of what the role entails as well as the positives and negatives of the job

2. Outline syllabus: 

A programme of lectures and seminars will include general career and employability skills and knowledge as well as a better understanding of career paths into Psychology and related disciplines. 

The following topics may be included:

• Presenting further study (e.g. Masters, PhD) and career (e.g. Educational/Clinical/Occupational/ Forensic Psychologist, Teacher, Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapist) This will include what is involved, what is required, what are the advantages/ disadvantages?

• General career related skills such as how to write a cover letter and personal statement, compiling a CV, interview skills (e.g. how to prepare, mock questions, giving a presentation). 

• How to use technology to your advantage (e.g. job searching, using LinkedIn to make connections).

• Creating an overview of acquired skills during the undergraduate degree as well as an action plan to gain more skills and knowledge required for individual career path choices.

• Broader career options outside of academia (e.g. in industry). How a psychology degree qualifies students to apply for a variety of jobs such as:

• In the civil service - ONS, government social research and statistics. 

• Behavioural science roles in central government (e.g. GCHQ). 

• Editing/ proofreading roles (e.g., in journals, scientific outlets like magazines/newspapers) 

• Understanding graduate trainee schemes, the types of jobs available as well as the requirements and selection process. 

The seminars will involve students being able to reflect and appreciate all the skills they have gained during their undergraduate degree, as well as using these to showcase that they have met the job criteria for the positions they are interested in applying for. The tasks will provide the basis for future applications and as this will be led by the interests of each student it will be useful to them in the future. 

3. Teaching and learning activities: 

Videos from different professionals who give a flavour of the job that they are doing. They would answer a few broad questions such as the route they took; what the job entails; the best and worst parts of the job.  

Learning how to write a professional or academic CV, including how to structure it as well as the type of information which is required and the format of writing. 

Writing an Action Plan to assess the skills and knowledge each individual has gained as well as what the next steps are to get to their desired career path. 

Participate in a mock assessment centre as preparation for entry into a graduate trainee scheme

Practice job interviewing skills. 

Oral presentation skills as practise for job interviews which require presentations as part of the process. These may include the use of Powerpoint slides or posters.

Writing a research proposal or a personal statement whichever is relevant to the student’s chosen career path. 

Assessment Details