Student placements and employability
Work-related learning and transferable skills summary
Through my Work-related Learning I developed a set of transferable skills which supplement as well as compliment skills developed through my degree and which are readily applicable and valuable in the world of work:
- goal-orientated work ethic
- prioritisation
- communicating with the public
- team work
- conflict management
- working to publication deadlines
- administrative skills
- chairing meetings
- minute taking
Part-time job: Skills development
This section reflects on some of the skills I developed while working part-time in a busy city centre bar/café behind the bar and waiting on tables. I am still employed in this post which I took up June 2008.
Skill development examples:
- Integrating into the team
Skill developed: Team work
When: In first few weeks of employment
Example: Learnt to integrate into a close-knit team in the... (more)
Employer events and talks: Skills development
Event 1: Glasgow University Internship fair
Date Attended: 27/10/09
Reflection on experience:
- Preparation: Prior to attending an employer event it is important to prepare a number of questions to ask in order to... (more)
Student media: Skills development
Position: Features Editor for the Glasgow University Guardian
Date worked: 01/98 – ongoing
Skill development examples:
... (more)
Personal and Professional Development - Work-related learning skills
Activities
- Working a Part-time Job
- Attending Employer events
- Participating in Student Media
Certificates and awards
- Graduate Attributes Programme - Work-related learning skills certificate
Work-related Learning ePortfolio Supplement
This section of my portfolio reflects on my cultivation of ‘Work-related Learning.’ Appreciating the importance of an understanding of the workplace I have sought to improve these skills throughout my undergraduate degree and I have participated in the University of Glasgow’s Graduate Attributes Programme. During the programme I have had time to reflect on the following experiences:
This page contains the following elements:
- Summary of the key issues covered in the Graduate Attributes Programme (GAP) sessions I attended and the relevance of the skill areas covered for future career. (See 'Working a Part-time Job - Key Issues,' 'Participating in Student Media - Key Issues' and 'Attending Employer events - Key Issues')
- Overview of the key work-related learning and transferable skills developed during my time as an undergraduate (see ‘Work-related learning and transferable skills summary')
- Detailed examples of instances where I have demonstrated these work-related learning and transferable skills in a range of activities separate from my undergraduate degree (see ‘Part-time job blog’ and 'Participation in student media blog')
- Reflection on employer events and talks which I have attended, exploring what directions my career may take including goals and how this relates back to my existing and developing skillset (see 'Employer events and talks blog')
- Work-related learning skills development plan
Work-related learning skills development plan
Work-Related Skills Development Plan
The table below provides an overview of the work related skills development areas and activities that I have been involved in during the course of my studies so far.
| Work Related Learning Area | Activity | Date of completion |
Work experience - part-time job | Part-time Bar/Café job | ongoing |
| Career Development - Employer Events | Registered with Careers Service to be provided with information forthcoming employer events and talks | ongoing |
| Work experience -Student Media | Features Editor | ongoing |
The table below details the work related development areas and activities that I would like to develop further.
Short-term goals (academic year 2009/2010)
| Work Related Learning Activity | Description | Date of completion |
Work experience - part-time job | Aiming to undertake work-place training courses and thus achieve promotion to charge hand by the summer | June 2010 |
| Career Development - Employer Events | Attend internship fair and collect information on possible placements, preferably with large international firm | June 2010 |
| Work experience - Summer Placement | Currently applying for a summer placement with Pricewaterhouse Coopers working on the Audit of a large UK bank | September 2010 |
Long-term goals (before completion of degree June 2012)
| Work Related Learning Activity | Description | Date of completion |
Work experience - part-time job | Once acheived charge hand status get involved in the induction and training of new staff | |
| Work experience - tutoring | Apply for and become involved in English as a Foreign Language tutoring for international students | |
| Career Development - Employer Events | Identify those employers with whom I would like to gain work experience through and organise relevant workshops to attend in order to gain the required skills and experience for these placements | June 2012 |
| Work experience -Student Media | Continue in position as Features Editor while training junior staff member to eventually fill this position | June 2012 |
Working a part-time job - key issues
What is it?
Undertaking part-time employment in a busy bar/café environment while pursuing a degree...(more)
Relevance to university studies
Part-time employment in the hospitality industry can impact positively on your university studies in a number of ways...(more)
Relevance to employability
Part-time employment during university has a number of immediately tangible benefits...(more)Attending employer events - key issues
What is it?
The University of Glasgow Careers Service organises a wide range of events and talks by potential employers... (more)
Relevance to university studies
Employer Events allow students to see how the skills and attributes they gain throughout their university studies can be transferred... (more)
Relevance to employability
By attending Employer Events students are able to gain valuable insight into the different career paths available to them... (more)
Participating in student media - key issues
What is it?
Participating as an editor in the production of the Glasgow University Guardian... (more)
Relevance to university studies
Many skills are built upon and expanded by my involvement ...(more)
Relevance to employability
Involvement with a large, ongoing, deadline driven, team-based project...(more)