1. History at Queen’s University Belfast: preparing students for employment

2. Introduction We do not just produce history teachers 60% of graduate employers take on History students This presentation indicates the diverse careers our graduates pursue and explains our skills and employability centred focus

3. The History graduate’s skills Research Communication Independent working Analysis Evaluation Synthesising arguments Empathy with the views of others Time management Self-evaluation Group working Professional presentation

4. Level One – Nurturing Skills Example module: History and Historians Historical truth, ‘contested pasts’, public history Fieldtrips, and presentations from media experts Assessment Methods Tutorial Journal (40%) Assessed essay (15%) Public history group-project proposal (30%) Group presentation (15%)

5. Level Two – enhancing skills Example module: History and Society Explores relationship between academic and public history Students prepare group project on plan for new museum or heritage centre Plan includes financial budget and marketing as well as historical content. Students advised by QUB School of Management, Career Guidance staff and member of staff from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Assessment: Individual bibliographic essay (30%), group presentation (25%), individual report (20%) participation in online group discussions (25%)

6. Level Two – enhancing skills Example module: Recording History Students take part in oral history project Complete professional and accurate recordings and transcripts Analyse material and ‘pitch’ programme ideas to BBC Radio Ulster BBC (and students) convert strong ideas into radio programme Assessment by interview transcript (20%); critical commentary on interview (20%); project report (50%); group ‘pitch’ to BBC (10%)

7. Level 3 – Independence, imagination and quality Example module The dissertation Independent research to produce 10,000 – 12,000 words Individually negotiated topic with a supervisor Analyse primary sources Synthesis secondary sources and their arguments Draft chapters, receive feedback, reflect, revise and improve Completes undergraduate training as a historian Develop skills of independent research, time management, extended writing, production of timely and professional writing

8. Stretching ambition and broadening horizons Degree Plus (directed pathways for acquisition of additional skills and experiences). Short internships at Lincoln Presidential Museum in Illinois Opportunities to spend a semester abroad with one of our numerous Erasmus partners (e.g. Amsterdam, Athens Berlin, Venice) Workshops led by alumni offering current undergraduates the benefit of their knowledge

9. Overall aims Our curriculum is designed to enhance student skills and employability It provides teaching experiences and assessment methods that enable students to create an impressive narrative on their CVs and in job interviews They are able to provide evidence of their transferable skills.

10. Recent graduate career destinations Peter Coulter, BBC (pictured) Sean Sorohan, Senior Associate: PWC Neil Halliday, Manager: Action Renewables Jane Brown, Management Trainee: Boots Leigh Egerton (pictured), Policy Officer: Department for International Development

11. More recent graduates Chris Perry (pictured), Project Manager at NI Housing Executive Rachel Telfer, Graduate Trainee (Library), Lincolns Inn Jacqueline McCarthy (pictured), Marketing and Communications Manager: British Council

12. And more William Patterson, Manager; Forestry Commission Neal Gartland, Research and Policy Officer: UUP Will Wyeth (pictured), Heritage Education Trainee: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments

13. And more Ashleigh Simpson (pictured), Public Affairs: Royal College of General Practitioners James Gore, Manager: Aldi Cheryl Tracey, Teacher, Liverpool Raymond Johnston, Solicitor: Edwards & Co.

14. And more Shane Quinn, Development Officer: Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust Ian Hunter (pictured with Professor David Hayton), Business Development Manager: Invest Northern Ireland (San Jose office) Alex McCabe, Graduate Trainee: Linklaters, London Shane Quinn, Development Officer: Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust Ian Hunter (pictured with Professor David Hayton), Business Development Manager: Invest Northern Ireland (San Jose office) Alex McCabe, Graduate Trainee: Linklaters, London

15. And more Monique Geddis (pictured), Banking Administrator: First Trust Bank (currently studying for a Graduate Diploma in Accounting) Emily Anderson, Trainee Executive: Lanson’s Communications (London PR company)