This module aims to provide students with the key skills required of the professional economist in the current business environment and to prepare students for an Economics based year in industry and beyond by providing them with an understanding of the skills required to secure a work placement and gain the most from their placement experience. It also provides the opportunity to acquire, develop and apply these skills.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically reflect on and evaluate their skills in relation to prospective employers’ requirements and identify their development needs.

(LO2) Students will be able to research career opportunities in relation to their own career aspirations using a range of media and approaches.

(LO3) Students will be able to demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills appropriate to a business context.

(LO4) Students will be able to experience working with others and how to develop effective relationships.

(LO5) Students will be able to gain an awareness of the commercial issues facing organisations.

(LO6) Students will be able to carry out effective self-guided research.

(LO7) Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning.

(LO8) Students will be able to develop an awareness of digital capabilities relevant to economists and develop those digital capabilities.

(S1) Adaptability

(S2) Problem Solving Skills

(S3) Commercial Awareness

(S4) Teamwork

(S5) Organisational Skills

(S6) Communication Skills

(S7) IT Skills

(S8) Lifelong Learning

Teaching Method: Workshop
Description: Workshops develop careers skills and are run by dedicated Careers Service.
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 5 x 2 hours (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Weekly Computer Labs
Description: 3 weeks of Bloomberg labs in the Bloomberg Suite (module leader delivery) and 8 weeks of excel training in a PC lab (GTA delivery)
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 11 (weeks 1 to 11)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Seminar
Description: Module introduction, module close and fortnightly seminars to develop professional skills and are run by module leader. (Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12)
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 6
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Assessment Centre
Description: Assessment Centre is run to practice skills developed run by dedicated careers staff (week 9)
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 8
Atte ndance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 115
Description: Students will use remaining self-directed learning hours for, Company research, Assessment preparation, and independent practice on Excel and Bloomberg.

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Adaptability
How this is developed: Career Management reflective exercises and presenting effectively.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Company Research Report, and CV, application form, cover letter

Skills / attributes: Problem solving skills
How this is developed: Presentations, report writing, critical reflection, mock interviews, completing application forms
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Company Research Report, CV, application form, cover letter, and Group exercise/individual presentation

Skills / attributes: Commercial awareness
How this is developed: Project Planning and report writing
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Company Researc h Report, and CV, application form, cover letter

Skills / attributes: Teamwork
How this is developed: Throughout the module students will self-assess their contribution to the team in formal assessments & work in teams during lectures / seminar exercises.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group exercise / Individual presentation

Skills / attributes: Organisational skills
How this is developed: Seminars, employer interactions, and company reports
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Company Research Report, and CV, application form, cover letter

Skills / attributes: Communication skills
How this is developed: Analysis for company report.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Company Research Report, CV, application form, cover letter, and Group exercise / Individual presentation

Skills / attributes: IT Skills
How this is developed: Bloomberg and Computer Lab sessions
Mode of assessment (if applicable): CV, application form, cov er letter, and Reflective learning log

Skills / attributes: Lifelong learning skills
How this is developed: CBI/ULMS skills audit
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Reflective learning log

Week 1 - Seminar - Introduction to Module and Career Planning [Module Leader/Careers]
Week 2 - Workshop - Company Research [Careers]
Week 3 - Seminar – Academic Writing and Written & Verbal communication skills [Module Leader]
Week 4 - Workshop - CV’s and Application Forms [Careers]
Week 5 - Seminar – Report writing [Module Leader]
Week 6 - Workshop – Assessment Centres [Careers]
Week 7 - Seminar - Written & Verbal communication skills [Module Leader]
Week 8 - Workshop – Online tests [Careers]
Week 9 - Seminar – Effective team building [Module Leader]
Week 10 - Workshop – Practice Interviews [Careers]
Week 11 – Seminar – Cultural Awareness (Module Leader)
Week 12 - Seminar – Close [Module Leader/ Careers]