student mentoring
TRANSCRIPT
Placement Preparation
Teaching job seeking skills one to many (i.e. lectures and tutorials), has
several pitfalls. Notably, advice is not individually
tailored and not specific to each job application.
Vygotsky (1978) also highlighted that skills are
better developed when teaching is closely connect-
ed to the task, known as the zone of proximal
learning. One to one support tackles these prob-
lems and should be an essential component of ca-
reer development activity, but this is not always
possible for every student.
Peer supported mentoring enables both issues to be addressed. Firstly
students can provide additional support to the existing teaching, by
providing one to one support. And secondly, they can provide percep-
tion and viewpoints that compliment generalised support. Student men-
tors also gain from this exchange. Peer-supported learning as part of
the Business and Enterprise group placement preparation is presented
as a poster.
Developing Student Mentors to Support the Placement Process
By Dr Andy Hirst (Course Leader Business and ICT,
IT with Business Studies and IT Management)
Background
Enabled through the employability stand of their course, stu-
dents have taken it upon themselves to support 2nd years stu-
dents in their own quest for a placement. With guidance from
their employability tutor each successive year has built on the
provision from the previous year.
How we teach Employability: An Overview
Andy currently runs the employability strand for Business and En-
terprise courses. Students experience each year a practical module
that supports undergraduate soft skills development.
A range of teaching strategies are employed; simulation (e.g.
SIMVenture and IBM Business Challenge); role play (Speed Net-
working); 'real' project based experiences (e.g. Venture Matrix and
Hallam Volunteering); and varied approaches within lectures and
tutorials (e.g. "wisdom of crowds", "whiteboarding"; discussion and
debates).
Assessment strategies are diverse to invigorate and stimulate think-
ing styles. Assessment ranges from traditional essay and reports
through to presentations, posters and reflective blogs. Emphasis is
also placed on critical reflection that bridges theory and practice.
Emphasis is placed on student engagement with the tasks and the
real contribution they make to each client project. Aside from the
direct support for gaining employment, these modules build stu-
dent confidence and a can do attitude.
Employability Boosters
Team of students worked with Maths students to
develop an online tool to help students pass numeri-
cal reasoning tests.
Username: employability Password: boosters
Placeyourself
Team of students developed workshops
to deliver assessment centre exercises.
They also support students on a 1-2-1
bases with cover letters and applications
Student Placement Preparation
SPP
Created assessment centre work-
shop. Invited external employers
from IBM to run sessions. Devel-
oped mentoring support. Created
Website, twitter and Linkedin
WEBSITE
Development steps o
f mentorin
g programme