1. Career Development Learning
Framework at Ulster
Maria Curran
Head of Employability
2 May 2012

2. Content
 Employability agenda
 Career Development Learning framework and
professional development
 Career learning initiatives

3. Employability Agenda
 The provision of employability skills is central to the
University’s core strategic aims ‘to deliver high quality,
flexible, student-centred, programmes of study that are
intellectually challenging and which provide students
with opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and
confidence’.
 The Teaching and Learning Strategy (2008-13) sets out four key
University-wide priorities as well as two cross-cutting aims in
support of them.
 One of the key aims focuses specifically on employability ‘To
promote learning, professionalism and employability through the
integration of academic theory and relevant professional and
vocational practice’.

4. What do employers want…….
“21st century graduates need to demonstrate to
employers that they can ‘hit the ground
running’.
In addition to working hard to gain a good
degree, students should engage in
extracurricular activities and obtain work
experience in order to develop skills that will
make them better prepared for the world of
work.
It is also important for students to become self-
aware and develop the confidence to market
themselves effectively when the time comes to
apply for jobs”.
Carl Gilleard, Association of Graduate Recruiters

5. Career Learning Initiatives at Ulster
 Career Development Learning framework is developed
and managed through a Partnership Agreement between
Faculties and the Career Development Centre.
 Ulster EDGE Award
 Ulster GradNAV
 PACE (Professional and Career Enhancement System)
 BlackboardLearn

6. Career Development Learning Framework
1. Bespoke assessed modules (10 & 20 point) on Career
Management Skills developed for particular schools or
programmes
2. Integrated Career Development Learning components
into core modules within programmes
3. Modules offered to schools or programmes within the
Certificate in Personal and Professional Development
(CPPD) Ulster Edge Award
5. Programme specific non-assessed Career Management Skills Units
6. Generic open careers workshops available to all students.
7. Generic Skills Training Careers programme for PhD students

7. Exemplars
 Bespoke Career Management Skills (10 & 20
points) modules for specific undergraduate
programmes.
School of Accounting
 Modules offered as part of the Certificate in
Personal and Professional Development (CPPD)
Faculty of Computing and Engineering

8. School of Accounting
Career Planning and Skills Development ACF343
“This core module is designed to increase your awareness of the career
options open to you, develop your knowledge and understanding of the
skills and attributes graduate employers are seeking and to help you
develop self-awareness so that you can plan your development and
market yourself effectively.
An important aspect in planning the delivery of the programme was to
secure a high level of employer involvement and throughout this
module a host of firms will be delivering sessions and providing advice
on careers within accounting and finance.
You will benefit also from an employer visit where you will visit 2 of the
‘Big 4’ to see the day-to-day operations of a large accounting firm.
You will attend a ‘Step into Finance’ event specifically designed to
increase your awareness of non-accountant career options.
We hope you will enjoy the participatory nature of the course.”

9. Module Assessment
Coursework 1: Online Application (20%)
Complete a mock online application form in response to a specific job advert.
Coursework 2: Two Online-Aptitude Tests (20%)
Assignment is designed to familiarize students with typical aptitude tests often
used in the accountancy milkround and to help students be clear in what the
employer is assessing and the standard to be reached.
Coursework 3: Career Research Report (40%)
Assignment is designed to give the student the opportunity to study a potential
career area for an accounting graduate, using both primary and secondary
sources. Part of the report will involve the student relating their own self-
knowledge to their chosen career path.
Coursework 4: Reflective Journal (20%)
Complete a journal containing reflections on 4 of the 6 workshops/events
attended as part of the module.

10. Timetable
Lecture Content Workshop Content Assignment
Due
Week 1 Introduction Module overview Group Career decision-
Why is career planning B making,
important? self- awareness &
reflection
Week 2 Student- What employers want Group Repeat Week 1
graduate Labour market A
transition
Week 3 Presenting Applications - Deloitte Group Communication
yourself on (Assign 1) B Skills
paper (Ernst & Young)
Week 4 Gaining Types of experience Group Repeat Week 3
experience Why is it important? A

11. Lecture Content Workshop Content Assignment
Due
Week 5 Professional ACCA, CAI, CPA, Group B Financial Challenge
Routes CIMA, CIPFA Business Game
(PWC)
Week 6 Step into Employer Group A Repeat Week 5 Assign 1:
Finance showcase: other 30 Oct
Event(5-7p options with
m) accounting
Week 7 Success in Types of tests Group B Teamwork
online tests How they are (Grant Thornton)
and case assessed
studies Preparing &
Performing
Week 8 Interview Preparation for Group A Repeat Week 7
Skills and interviews
Networking

12. Lecture Content Workshop Content Assignment Due
Week 9 Managing Successful Group B Mock Assignment
change & transitions Interviews 2: 28 Nov
exploring Alternative (BDO)
options options
Week 10 Employer PWC & KPMG Group A Repeat Week
visits 9
Week 11 Action Setting Group B Assignment 3
Planning SMART and 4
objectives &
overcoming
barriers
Week 12 Next steps Planning for Group A Repeat week Assignment
and placement / 11 3 & 4:19 Dec
feedback final year

13. Step into Finance Event Week 6
Loughview Suite
5pm Opening by Dr Gillian Armstrong, Head of Dept of Accounting
5.10pm Opening summary of trends in financial services,
Financial Skills Partnership
5.20pm Citi Professional Resourcing Team
5.35pm Actuarial Services Manager, Deloitte
5.50pm Senior Manager, Business Banking, Bank of Ireland
6.20pm HMRC Taxes Professional Development programme
6.40pm-7.20pm Networking (speakers will rotate around groups of students
answering questions on associated career areas)

14. Faculty of Computing and Engineering
(Jordanstown)
Modules offered as part of the Certificate in Personal
and Professional Development (CPPD)
Building your Skills (PPD105)
Developing your Skills (PPD104)
Graduation – what next? (PPD102)
Split over two semesters
50 hours (3 to 5 hours formal classes)

15. Year 1 - Building your Skills PPD105
 Identify their own skills, interests and motivations
 Inform students of the key issues of career planning and
the role Personal Development Planning has in helping
them develop their employability skills
 Understand the skills that they are already developing
through their degree programme
 Make the most of their time at University
 Explore a range of part-time or summer work experience
options.
Assessment: Self awareness and CV creation using CV Builder

16. Year 2-Developing your Skills PPD104
 Understand their own values and motives and why
they are an important element in the career
development and planning process.
 Recognise the potential to develop employability skills
through work experiences, study abroad and course-
related live project work which is appropriate to their
career aspirations.
 Assess and develop skills that contribute to
employability (networking, presenting self)
 Devise and implement career action plan to secure
their preferred opportunity.
Assessment: Mock Interview using Skills Audit and reflection

17. Final year- Graduation what next? PPD102
 Assist students to understand why career planning is
important on approaching the completion of their studies.
 Assist students in exploring a range of employment, post
graduate and other opportunities.
 Develop students understanding of the recruitment
process and their ability to influence this process.
 Enable students to devise realistic and achievable action
plans for their career, academic and personal
development
Assessment: Careers Report

18. School of Built Environment event
MSci Planning and Property Development 24 April 2012
14.00 – 14.10 Welcome (EPLANI/DPP), (BMC), (Ulster)
14.10 – 14.25 Introductions from Industry Members
14.25 – 14.45 RTPI Presentation - Pragma Planning
14.45 – 15.30 Year 3 & 4 Careers Activity (CDC) Job Search Strategy
14.45 – 15.30 Year 1, 2 and BMC - Speed Networking 1
15.30 – 16.15 Year 1 & 2 and BMC Careers Activity (CDC)
What are employers looking for?
15.30 – 16.15 Final and third years - Speed Networking 2
16.15 – 16.30 Feedback, Questions and Close

19. Student feedback
 “Although I was unsure at first I found this module to be really
valuable. It gave me the chance to focus on my career and take
ownership of it. Learning that a degree is not enough was a clear
message and one that I hadn’t considered before. My aim is to get
a graduate level job and learning that skills and attitude are as
important in getting a graduate job as academic performance, was
a wake-up call.” Final year student
 “Due to the careers and professional practice classes I have
managed to get a summer work placement with a property
company. They were impressed with my CV and Cover Letter and
I would not have been motivated to do this without your help.
Thank You!” Year 1 student

20. Any questions?