Module embedded careers and employment provision for final year earth science students: a Plymouth University example Dr Martin Stokes School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences

Plymouth University Earth Science degrees BSc Applied Geology BSc Geology BSc Geology with Ocean Sciences BSc Marine Geosciences BSc Physical Geography & Geology MGeol ~ students in final year...but increasing.....

EOE3001: Embedded Careers & Employability EOE credits EOE credits Research Project 30 credits (75%) Research Project 30 credits (75%) Geological Map Field Project Desk Project Lab Project Professional Skills 10 credits (25%) Professional Skills 10 credits (25%) Project Management Workplace skills Careers Primary Data Project Report Primary Data Project Report Portfolio Assessment

EOE3001: Delivery Weekly 2 hour seminar sessions in Term 1, reduced in T2 Staff: Martin Stokes & Glenn Crust (Careers advisor), Jim Griffiths (HoS), past students Term 1 OctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch Term 2 Project Management Work Place Skills Careers Gantt Charts: MS Project Manager Teamwork Communication Negotiation Health & safety CVs Cover letters Application forms Online Applications Social media Interviews Career resources Careers Fair Careers Preparation Past student talks Focus is on Earth Science careers

EOE3001 Professional Skills Assessment Project Logbook –Regular entries –Task auditing / actions –Data manipulation –Literature notes –Model / idea development Professional Skills ‘Journal’ –500+ word reflective commentary on session content Demonstrate self awareness Portfolio –Gantt chart – several versions –CV – several versions –Evidence for session follow-up –Reflective end module review: 1500 words Display personal development Countersigning by project advisor

CVs Pre-University CV University CV v. 1 University CV v. 2 University CV final Little mention of university skills / experience Lacks sufficient evidence and still too much non uni info Term 1 OctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch Term 2 Find a pre-Uni CV Or prepare a CV Project advisor feedback CV seminar: STAR technique, resources etc. Careers fair employer feedback

Past Student Talks Recent graduates (2-3 yrs) –PhD / MSc –Engineering geology –Hydrocarbon exploration –Mining –Non geology 30 Minute talks –What they do. –How they got their:. Application Interview process Work place skills Projects Workplace health and safety Reinforces importance of the professional skills sessions Shows that Plymouth students can succeed view.asp?page=39024

‘Geo’ Careers Fair Held in March each year Annual event since 2007 Dedicated to Earth Sciences careers Pre-fair preparation seminar Company stalls manned by ex Plymouth graduates 20and%20opportunities/GeoCareers-2012.aspx

Some final points..... Positives Engagement = success –at interview and career professional development Project management Health and safety awareness Personal testimony from past students Negatives Some students perceive content to be: –Patronising –Common sense –Inappropriate for final year –Irrelevant to studying geology Some (geology) academic staff perceptions / attitudes Students only understand employability after they have left Uni. Room for provision improvement or just natural selection? Mature students Academically ‘weak’ students Students who have part time ‘jobs’