Micro-placement

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Neil Pyper
• Tutors: Hristina Ivanova, Anisha Chalisey, Neil Pyper, Anna Gordon, Chloe Hennger, Baldeep Hothi
• Assessment: a reflective portfolio, including a SMART career plan (1000 words), job applications (1000 words) and a 2-3-minute vlog (100%)
• Enrol onto this module: If you would like to take Micro-placement 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, please contact the Careers and Enterprise Team.

This module will help you put theory into practice by translating your academic learning into practical work-based skills. It will give you the opportunity to explore a new role, career or sector. You will have the option to complete either a short UK-based micro-placement or consult as a group on an international project or business challenge scenario.

Research has shown that students who complete work placements as part of their course are more likely to find work after graduation, and with a higher average salary than those who did not undertake a placement. Whether you are starting your career, changing career or you are an experienced professional looking to gain new experience, this module can fit flexibly around your current commitments as you can complete your placement on a part-time basis, or over the summer break, or work on a professional project alongside your current commitments.

Indicative syllabus

Two half-day workshops including:

• Introduction
• Reflective practice session (to help you evaluate skills development)
• Introduction to the Careers Platforms
• How to maximise project/placement experience
• Pre-placement/project skills exploration to identify two practical, work-based skills to develop on placement

Minimum of 70 hours of application of practical, vocational and academic skills in an employer-based or employer-related context. There are three placement streams you can apply for:

• Micro-placement with employer or Birkbeck to complete a professional project
• International professional project: collaborative online international learning with students from University of Santiago, Chile
• Professional project scenario: development of practical skills working in a group

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

• critically evaluate the work you have done and describe and reflect on how it has contributed to the placement/project
• describe and reflect on what has been learnt from the placement/project, examining and discussing the positives/negatives learnt
• articulate, critically reflect and build on areas of professional skills development
• describe and critically reflect how the experience relates to your future career and academic goals and plan for further progression.