Summary of content

In addition to technical, subject-specific knowledge, graduates increasingly need highly developed, transferable, professional skills to prepare for and secure future employment. To augment the knowledge and skills acquired in the 1st year of their programme, this module provides students with an opportunity to undertake work experience relevant to their developing professional identity. It will allow them to extend and apply their knowledge of and learning from degree discipline modules; further develop relevant ‘hard’ technical skills and ‘soft’ interpersonal skills to enhance their employability; develop a comparative understanding of work procedures as well as the managerial, technical or professional practice aspects of a working environment and to explore potential future career paths.

Students will be supported to research, secure, undertake and reflect on a work-based learning experience with a company, organisation or social enterprise where they can observe and develop effective professional practices. The module encourages critically reflective practice and continuous personal and professional development in the context of the student’s degree discipline and GCU’s Common Good Attributes.

The module culminates in the submission of a placement portfolio based around Manwaring’s (2017) model of reflexivity which encourages the student to look outwards, by considering the context in which their learning takes place; to look backwards, by critically evaluating their period of work-based experience; to look inwards, by demonstrating a critical understanding of their personal attributes and being able to articulate the skills and abilities they possess, or need to acquire, for further career development; and to look forwards, by constructing a personal development plan.

Module structure

Assessment methods