1. Developing your competencies in the workplace

2. Introduction and housekeeping

3. In this session…
What stage you are at in terms of your internship/placement
What is workplace culture?
What are your learning objectives?
Making the most of your work experience
Reflective practice

4. Where are you at?
In your groups, take a look at the Internship Planner and discuss:
What stage are you at?
What will you be doing for your internship?
What are you hoping to learn or grow your confidence in?

5. Workplace culture
The ‘culture’ of your workplace is likely to be very different from the student culture that you’re currently part of. Use the ‘What is Culture?’ discussion sheet to share experiences of different workplace cultures. What do you think the culture might be on your internship?

6. What are Learning Objectives?
Could be:
subject specific knowledge you want to gain
broader competencies that you want to be more confident in
People you want to meet
Practical careers ideas and information

7. Competency Development
4. Unconscious Competence: “I am so familiar with this skill that I no longer need to think about how to do it well”
3. Conscious Competence: “I have learned how to do this skill and I know the processes I must go through to perform”
2. Conscious Incompetence: “Now I’ve tried this skill, I realise that I need to learn how to do it”
Using the example of learning to drive, play a musical instrument or do a sport is a great way to demonstrate this model.
1. Unconscious Incompetence: “I have never tried and I have no idea how bad I am at this skill!”
Four Stages of Competence - Model developed by Noel Burch, Gordon Training International,

8. Dual role: Worker and reflector
Your observations of what you do and learn during your internship
The work you do on your internship

9. Talking to people and staying in touch
Career paths
Where jobs/funding are advertised
Words of wisdom
Societies & professional associations
Sector literature
Other people you could meet
Connections:

10. Reflection and assessment
Insert information here relating to reflective documentation and assessments

11. What do you worry about?
Write your worries one per post-it note. They can be serious or light-hearted. We will get through as many as you can so that you feel confident and ready for your internship.

12. Summary
The workplace culture is likely to be different to student culture – be open minded and flexible
Set learning objectives and check on them regularly through the internship
Make sure you capture your reflections and prepare for assessment