Case Studies

Big Data dragons Den

Arts and Humanities Employability

Applying for Internships

Internships are a great way for students at The University of Stirling Management School to gain relevant experience that helps their future career prospects. Internships also provide the experience and subject matter for final year dissertation projects. However, with fierce competition for every position, many students spend significant time and effort applying for internships only to be disappointed.

The Management School is conducting a study into the issues students face in applying for internships to find out how we can do more to help them secure the positions they need. The aim of the project is to help third year undergraduates as they transition into their final year, as well as assisting their transition into employment after graduation.

For more: take a look at our video to hear a students’ perspective on the challenges of securing an internship.

Stirhack

Stirhack is an annual 24-hour programming hackathon which brings together people from various computing clubs and computing degrees, as well as those with non-technical degrees. Held over a weekend at Stirling University campus and completely free to attend, Stirhack is an MLH Major League Hacking partnered event, which is open to any student currently enrolled in full-time higher education, or those who graduated less than a year ago.

Working in teams of up to four people, the 2017 hackathon focused on solving a particular problem in an innovative way. Stirhack is a great opportunity to spend time working with other enthusiasts and learn from each other – and is an excellent insight into becoming a professional programmer. The project work can also be a helpful addition to students’ CVs.

For more: see the information on the right-hand side.

Making the Most of Masters

Making the Most of Masters is designed to ease the transition from university into working life by building links between the University and public, private and third-sector businesses and organisations. It brings together organisations and Masters students to carry out collaborative projects, as an alternative to the traditional dissertation.

These projects are usually three months long, running throughout the summer months, and can be carried out across a range of sectors. They are solution focused and address real needs within an organisation. Students can either be based at the company site or at the University.

This programme helps students gain valuable skills and experience in a real-life situation, while building their confidence. The connections and experience that students build up can be invaluable for finding work after graduation.

For more: see the information on the right-hand side.

Undergraduate to Postgraduate Transitions

We’ve run focus groups with Masters and PhD students, as well as supervisors, to help improve the experience of students transitioning from undergraduate to postgraduate study. We’ve produced guides and presentations with top tips for students and supervisors to help students navigate their academic journeys. These guides can be used at inductions and training events.

We also make sure that new postgraduate students have plenty of both academic and personal support. For example, students are teamed with two academic supervisors, a tutor, and a peer mentor – usually a PhD student in their second or third year. There is also a postgraduate representative who provides a voice for all PhD students, and the Postgraduate Society has been set up by postgraduate students so that they can socialise together. All of this helps makes sure postgraduate students are supported right from the very start.

For more: see the information on the right-hand side.

Enhancing Social Science graduate employability; Online professional profiles

Following an initial survey of social science students to assess their skills and confidence online, the aim of this project was to develop a range of Open Educational Resources (OERs) to support student learning in relation to their online identity.

Students are increasingly using social media and constructing their identity online. There is a growing expectation among employers that staff will be able to act professionally online and use social media tools such as blog posts, or tweets to discuss their work or present issues. The Scottish Social Services Council has very strict codes of conduct regarding the use of social media and there are numerous examples of social workers being ‘struck off’ their register for its inappropriate use. The new OER tools provides students with guidance and examples of professional best practice in the use of online tools and social media in preparation for their future careers.

For more: see the information on the right-hand side.

Navigating workplaces

The Careers and Employability Service at University of Stirling has teamed up with the social enterprise Talking Mats to develop a transition tool for students either going into work or reflecting on their experience of leaving work. The innovative work-based learning mat helps facilitate a structured conversation with students around the transition to or from work.

Talking Mats uses unique, specially designed picture communication symbols to help students communicate effectively. The learning mat is used with visual topic cards to help students consider, reflect on and discuss their experiences.

We’ve produced a series of short talking heads with Elaine Watson, Employability and Skills Officer, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, to show the thinking behind this tool.

For more: see the information on the right-hand side.