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Your Career Development

Overview

  • Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
  • Convenor: Neil Pyper
  • Tutors: Anna Gordon, Chloe Hennger, Hristina Ivanova, Anisha Chalisey, Neil Pyper, Baldeep Hothi
  • Assessment: a reflective portfolio, including researching and conducting an informational interview (1000 words); reflecting on feedback from a CV, cover letter or job application you have prepared and a mock interview (1000 words); reflecting on your learning, how it informs your next steps (500 words) (100%)
  • Enrol onto this module: If you would like to take Your Career Development as one of your Level 5 option modules, please contact your school administrator who will be able to check your option choices meet the course requirements and add the module for you. If you would like to find out more about the module, .

Module description

Whether you are starting your career, changing careers, or looking to progress in your established career, this module will help you to develop the practical skills you need to make the progress you are seeking. Birkbeck has created this module with people who run start-ups, and leading employers and industry experts; many of these people will be involved in teaching this module.

You will gain industry-specific insight from a professional in your chosen sector and learn how to showcase the skills you have gained on your course so that you can develop your career within the UK or internationally. You will learn how to build your professional network and how to approach a career mentor. Many jobs are not widely advertised so having a professional network can help you to access the ‘hidden job market’. You will build a career 'narrative' (the story of your work) and gain practical skills to create a high-quality CV, cover letter or application, whatever your career level. You will practise and perfect your interview skills through training and a mock interview, so that you are ready to apply for roles that will boost your career.

Indicative syllabus

Module sessions include seminars on application skills, interview skills and reflective practice:

  • What is a Career?
  • The Graduate Job Market and Your Job Hunting Strategy
  • Exploring Your Career Options
  • Winning Applications
  • Interview Skills That Get You Hired
  • Your Personal Brand and Digital Presence
  • Networking for Success
  • Moving Forward - Career Plan Your Future!

As part of the assessment syllabus:

  • You will schedule and conduct an informational interview with an experienced professional in your chosen career sector to gain insight, knowledge and build networks
  • You will complete an application assignment (CV and cover letter or application form)
  • You will participate in a mock interview
  • You will develop a career action plan

In addition to the module sessions, we also strongly encourage you to engage with at least six career events taking place throughout the academic year to complement your learning on the module and support your individual career stage needs. Options include:

  • How to switch careers across different industries - including identifying transferable skills and how to bridge the skills gap
  • Progress in your established career - building informal networks, finding positive role models and finding mentors
  • Wellbeing at work including balancing physical, emotional, social and intellectual health, reasonable adjustments, flexible working
  • Diversity - how to excel if you are part of an underrepresented group in your workplace, how to be an ally to underrepresented groups in your workplace, how to identify reasonable adjustments and inclusive practice
  • Overcoming imposter syndrome and trespasser syndrome
  • Decode the UK job market and investigate global career paths (primarily aimed at international students)
  • Work freelance and build portfolios for careers in arts, technology, marketing
  • Apply for larger companies and graduate schemes - online applications, automated video interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests 
  • Stand out in a crowded area (e.g. creative writing, academia, journalism, law, NGO, international development, human rights) - how to gain experience and build networks, the importance of lateral moves   
  • Build digital skills - accessing Microsoft online skills courses to develop in-demand digital skills
  • Develop personal resilience
  • Manage time effectively
  • Openness: how to talk to your employer about your disability, neurodivergence or mental health condition
  • Industry-specific employer panel

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • identify your transferable skills and reflect on areas for development
  • articulate your career narrative in different formats (written, digital, verbal)
  • analyse employer requirements and be able to communicate your skills and experience tailored to this
  • demonstrate that you can reflect on, and apply, knowledge gained from feedback to better plan and manage your career