Portfolio Assignment: Employment opportunities and personal development

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of employment opportunities and required skills in your subject area.

1 Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding:

Employment opportunities related to your subject area and interests and the skills, knowledge, experience and attributes that are required to work in these contexts.

2 Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

To be self-reflective about your personal skills, attributes and abilities and how these compare with what is required for your future employment

What am I required to do in this assignment?

A portfolio which contains:

Your graduate destination - What? Why? etc.

Role analysis – history, trends, etc.

A current job description and person specification of your ideal job – Appendix 1

Reflection – what you already have – skills and experience and what you will need to get in order to meet the person specification

Personal Development Plan

CV and covering letter as if you were seeking employment

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

žReflectively underpinned personal development planning detailing the personal skills, attributes and abilities you currently offer, how these compare with what is required for your future employment, and what steps you now need to take to achieve your graduate employment goals

žUnderstanding of the employment opportunities related to your subject area and interests and the skills, knowledge, experience and attributes that are required to work in these contexts.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

Each week the unit will cover content that will help you to plan for your assignment. The unit content is delivered over 6 weeks. You are then expected to research for an employment role  related to your degree (i.e manager, supervisor )

which asks you to assess your suitability for a graduate role that you identify.

The unit content is designed to enable you to develop the elements of the portfolio in an incremental way, starting with the CV and cover letter. You are encouraged to use the services of the Careers and Employability Service to have your CV checked and you are actively encouraged to make contact with them at the start of the unit.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

The work does not follow the portfolio structure as required but all elements are included, although the rationale for the choices pursued are less clear in the introduction.

Written expression needs improving. The submission just meets the assessment criteria in this aspect. The structure of the portfolio is in line with guidance given. All elements are included Written expression is fluid and coherent and the rationale given in the introduction is clear.

The portfolio is well presented and the reader is easily able to navigate the component parts. A rationale is apparent in the introduction for the choices made. Written expression is at a good standard and includes reflection on growth and development.

The portfolio evidences a minimal understanding of the employment role related to the subject. The CV and covering letter are adequate for the purpose The portfolio evidences an understanding of the employment role related to the subject. The CV and covering letter are in line with guidance offered on the unit and appropriate for the purpose

The portfolio evidences a clear understanding of the employment role /organization(s) concerned. The CV and covering letter are designed specifically to address this.