MDSA40280 Professional Skills and Career Development

Academic Year 2022/2023

In the competitive graduate jobs market graduates need to be aware of the skills that employers are looking for and be confident that they can provide evidence of these during the recruitment process. The Professional Career Development module has been designed to give students a competitive advantage in the marketplace and has been developed with the input of graduate recruiters, graduate students and business leaders.
The module will be delivered over one semester to enable students to maximise potential opportunities presented by the labour market. Regular guidance, job search and interview skills support with UCD Careers Network and the School of Medicine will take place throughout the academic year.
Students also will receive training in scientific writing, presentation skills and the principles of project planning, which are essential parts of the skill set for succeeding in the modern workplace.
A group project brings students into groups to effectively develop team working skills, delegation of suitable tasks and competencies, develop scientific writing an leadership skills and learn about the members of your class from all different backgrounds

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should:
* Understand current industrial practice in the workplace and be aware of career opportunities and how to identify them.
* Understand the career planning process and be able to plan their career more effectively.
* Know how to search effectively for information for assignments, projects and career opportunities.
* Be familiar with the skills required by employers, have evaluated the skills they have already developed that are important for career success and practiced and developed their skills e.g. communication skills, project management skills, team working.
* Acquire and hone their skills in scientific writing (proposals, reports, publications) and making presentations (pitching an idea, presenting results, convincing in a discussion)
* Understand and apply the basic principles of project planning (timelines, development of workflows, documenting results)
* Be able to write a C.V. and cover letter and in particular know how to customise CVs to specific job applications
* Work effectively as part of a team and develop interpersonal skills that are vital for the industrial jobs market
* Understand the principles and practices that underpin good scientific writing
Students must complete and pass each component of the module in order to pass this module. In addition, students must attend the compulsory lectures. Students who fail to attend a specified number of compulsory classes or who fail to complete and pass a component will be required to take an additional assignment in order to be awarded the credits of this module and complete the programme.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

4
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

116
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; Interview, CV and Cover letter preparation
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Tailored Application to Relevant Job Specification Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Other Yes

50
Group Project: Group project: Group Career Investigation Report Throughout the Trimester n/a Other Yes

50
Assignment: Assessed Interview Throughout the Trimester n/a Other No

0

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mr Mark Cumisky Lecturer / Co-Lecturer