‘Employability in Action: Opportunities for
Developing the Student Experience’
conference
6th May 2015
POSTER ABSTRACTS
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POSTER ABSTRACTS
POSTER 1
'Building a Partnership with Industry'
Dr Gervase Cunningham, Dr Mark McKane and Dr Sharon McClements
School of Built Environment
Abstract
Quantity Surveying staff at the Ulster University are focused on building and delivering work
based learning for undergraduate Quantity Surveying students. The university's reputation
for delivering work-based learning means that year after year employers from the UK
construction sector and also internationally are returning to recruit our highly skilled and
employment-ready graduates.
The Building Partnership event hosted by the Ulster University and organised by Quantity
Surveying academics and construction industry leaders provides a great opportunity for
industry to recruit full time undergraduates for both graduate positions and placement
positions. Almost 50 organisations attended the event which provided students with the
opportunity to find out more about the organisations who attended, the projects in which
they are involved and the placement and graduate opportunities with these companies. It
also provided academics and the wider university community with the opportunity to
network with these stakeholders in the construction industry and hopefully develop
engagement and collaboration going forward.
The Building partnership event helped to build and support the construction sector which is
on the road to recovery post-downturn. Jonathan Hunter, human resources manager at
Farrans Construction, said: "A career in the built environment can be hugely rewarding and
as the economic recovery continues, now more than ever is an exciting time to be involved
in the sector.
The Building Partnership event is a great opportunity to gain access to some of the best upand-coming talent within the local construction sector.
POSTER 2
‘The AWARE Framework – A Progressive Approach to Employability’
Ms Nicola Ayre, Dr Ian McChesney and Mr Roy Sterritt
School of Computing and Mathematics
Abstract
The University’s third strategic aim is “to enhance Ulster’s role as a sector leader for student
employability as an integral part of the wider student experience.” The Computing Subject
Area underwent a highly successful Revalidation in 2012/13. As part of our revalidation
activity we were keen to develop an enhanced employability strand, underpinned by a greater
awareness and understanding of professional issues within the curriculum.
Based on reflections from the EDORT process, input from the Viewpoints project and through
work conducted by a working group of the course committee, a progressive approach to
employability was devised and introduced in September 2013 - the AWARE framework:
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Awareness (Year 1)
Work preparation (Year 2)
Acquire experience (Year 3)
Reflect / refine / refocus (Year 4)
Employed
With a major emphasis of employability being the Year 3 placement year, each of the Years 1,
2 and 4 have an 'anchor' module for developing employability concepts and skills with
employability skills taught, developed and assessed elsewhere as appropriate.
The University Revalidation Panel, in their formal feedback, regarded AWARE and our
enhanced employability strand as exemplary. As part of the Year 4 reflective activity each
student prepares a Project Showcase – a reflective report which allows the student to explore
their project work from an employability perspective. One student noted, “the Project
Showcase made me think about my project as something I could use at interviews.” Another
said, “the project showcase was something I could talk confidently about at my interview, I’ve
just secured my dream job, it really helped.”
POSTER 3
‘Developing employability skills: student perceptions in the School of Engineering’
Dr Pearse O’Gorman and Margaret Morgan
School of Engineering
Abstract
This poster presents the results of a study conducted on first and final year students in the
School of Engineering to explore their understanding of and insight into:
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expectations of engineering graduate employers, and
what skills – professional and hard - they could develop further at University to
enhance their employability.
Analysis of the questionnaire data revealed that first and final year students possessed a
good appreciation of what employers wanted in a graduate engineer. The results showed a
marked difference between the two cohorts in terms of the skills they believed they needed
to acquire or develop more fully in order to enhance their employability. The findings will
help inform curriculum developers as they seek to align the delivery of course content with
both student and employer expectations.
POSTER 4
‘Employability Journey(s) at Ulster’
Dr Malachy O’Neill, School of Irish Language and Literature
Prof Melanie Giles, School of Psychology
Ms Shauna McCloy, Employability and Marketing
Abstract
Our vision is that applicants to Ulster will be introduced to our institution-wide employability
strategy via a series of generic and subject-specific marketing and recruitment events during
their AS/A2 years at post-primary level. This would include guest-speakers from industry at
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open days and UCAS conversion events and would prepare applicants to Ulster for the
integral part that employability would play in the Ulster student experience from induction
to graduation. The ‘road map’ would be the key visual in the poster, essentially a Route 66
type depiction of the Employability Journey(s) at Ulster with key pit-stops (Volunteering,
Student Union participation, Tutoring in Schools, CV Building, EDGE activities, Science Shop,
GLIC, etc.) en route and the compulsory placement/work-based learning dimension depicted
as a pivotal bridge/tunnel dimension to the journey. Hopefully this would create a very
strong visual depiction of the institutional vision for employability and the acquisition of
graduate qualities throughout each individual programme of study at Ulster.
POSTER 5
‘Thinking Strategically About Employability ... The School of Law Experience ...’
Dr Esther McGuiness and Dr Amanda Zacharapoulou
School of Law
Abstract
This poster outlines the approach taken by the School of Law which, in line with the
University’s new Learning and Teaching Strategy (2013/14-17/18) which promotes
meaningful student partnerships. The School of Law at Ulster University have worked
collaboratively alongside colleagues in other Schools, in the CDC and the Department of
Alumni Relations, to develop two employability initiatives which are designed to enhance
students’ employability skills: The Student - Graduate Mentoring Partnership and Peer
Assisted Study Skills (PASS).
POSTER 6
‘Getting that job: An incremental approach to social work employability in action’
Ms Susannah McCall, Ms Denise McDermott and Prof Mary McColgan, School of Sociology
and Applied Social Studies
Mrs Julie Connolly, Employability and Marketing
Abstract
The poster will focus on the incremental approach the BSc Hons in Social work utilises with
regards to student employability. It will also focus on our award winning practice learning
opportunities and most importantly the student experience.
POSTER 7
‘Ulster EDGE and EDGE Excel: Enhancing student employability’
Dr Sharon Milner
Employability and Marketing
Abstract
The Ulster EDGE Award was developed to support the student experience at Ulster by
enhancing the employability of Ulster students. This poster outlines the developments that
have occurred with EDGE which have resulted in the launch of the higher level award ‘Ulster
EDGE Excel Award’ in September 2014. There are currently 47 students who will
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successfully graduate with Excel in July 2015, one of whom will be eligible for ‘EDGE Award
Student of the Year’. It will also illustrate some of the student and employer views in
relation to the employability impact of the Award.
POSTER 8
‘Alumni-Student Mentoring Programme’
Mrs Maria Curran & Mr Sean Gallagher, Employability and Marketing
Ms Roisin McNamara, Development and Alumni Relations
Abstract
Employability and Marketing and DARO have developed and rolled out this Mentoring
Programme to help our students tap into alumni expertise in a variety of fields. Feedback
from the pilot show Ulster students being inspired and empowered to take control of their
own careers, seek out opportunities for professional development and grow in selfconfidence.
POSTER 9
‘Fusion: The INIS Meain Knitting Company and Ulster University collaboration project’
Dr Alison Gault & Kate Howard, Belfast School of Art
Tarlach de Blacam, Inis Meain Knitting Company
Abstract
This paper discusses the impact of work-based learning in education and the importance of
developing partnerships between university and industry. This is in the context of the Ba
(Hons) Textile Art, Design and Fashion Course (Fashion knit) Ulster University and Inis Meain
Knitting Company, Galway, Ireland. The paper illustrates the outcome of a recent
IntertradeIreland Fusion project, which involved Inis Meain Knitting Company (the Industrial
partner), the Ulster University (the academic partner and knowledge provider), and a recent
graduate (the knowledge carrier). The paper will focus on the impact on teaching and
learning pedagogy, the knowledge transfer between the tripartite relationship of the
industrial partner, academic partner and the graduate. It will consider skill acquisition, the
flow of innovative ideas over the 12-month project. Also, it will consider the measurable
outcomes recorded in quarterly evaluations evidencing both qualitative and quantitative
data. Furthermore, it will assess the impact on all stakeholders over the prevailing year.
POSTER 10
‘The HEAR supporting the student experience’
Mr Sam Norris, Student Administration and Registry
Abstract
This poster outlines how the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) can be used to
support the student experience at Ulster as both a formative and summative document. It
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summarises the progress of the HEAR to date as well as outlining the proposed future
development of the HEAR.
POSTER 11
‘Mapping a route to employability: Graduate Attributes and Gis’
Dr Paul McKenzie & Dr Sally Cook, School of Environmental Sciences
Dr Stephen Roulston, School of Education.
Abstract
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer based systems that enable the
collection and analysis of spatial data. GIS are a fundamental and fast-growing part of the
global economy which have led to a global demand for a skilled workforce that can use GIS
to address an array of spatial issues. Students recognise the value of GIS for employability
and often select GIS modules to enhance their employability. Employers also require
students with a range of other skills such as the ability to train others and communicate with
clients. This poster outlines how students from the School of Environmental Sciences are
developing employability skills through collaboration with school teachers. Students form an
educational partnership with school teachers to create a GIS manual which can be delivered
through Tutoring in Schools. This approach has enabled students to develop a range of
employability skills while also promoting the use of GIS within schools.
POSTER 12
‘Fostering graduate identity in non-vocational pathways’.
Ciaran Acton, Ciaran Burke and Marie Braniff
School of Sociology and Applied Social Studies
Abstract.
The main aim of the poster is to showcase some of the strategies we are introducing in
Sociology (under the umbrella of Sociology +) to address the employability problems that
students on non-vocational pathways typically face. It will look at the skills agenda and how
this actually works in practice. We will outline the various skills and resources that
graduates need and align these to the measures we are taking in relation to
Sociology+. These issues will be located within the framework of Tomlinson’s concept of
‘graduateness’.
POSTER 13
‘The diversity of work-based learning in the School of Health Sciences’
Dr Mary Hannon-Fletcher and Dr Patricia McClure
School of Health Sciences
Abstract.
The School of Health Sciences delivers six Allied Health Profession (AHP) BSc (HONS) 3 year
courses. This provides a very broad range of work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for
our students. Every student undertakes a period work based learning, with each WBL having
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to meet the HCPC and professional body requirements. This poster will outline the different
WBL examples, the assessment and management of these experiences.
POSTER 14
‘Helping students on their Journey from Undergraduate to IT professionals’
Dr Edwin Curran & Mr Roy Sterritt School of Computing and Mathematics
Mrs Maria Curran, Employability and Marketing
Abstract
The poster outlines the journey to becoming IT professionals that students on our
Computing courses embark on but focuses primarily on how a year 2 module (Professional
Development) helps them. It ties in QAA subject benchmark standards with graduate
qualities as defined by the University of Ulster.
POSTER 15
‘Creating a New Paradigm in Community Youth Work – the Integration of
Entrepreneurship Education’.
Ms Breda Friel and Ms Sharon Porter
School of Sociology and Applied Social Studies
Abstract
This poster outlines the development of the Certificate in Entrepreneurship Awareness short
in Community Youth Work education in Ulster University from 2007. From a taught short
course to an online and practice based short course, students have acquired knowledge,
skills and understanding of entrepreneurship in community settings.
POSTER 16
‘Role-emerging placements: promoting employability for occupational therapy students’
Dr Patricia McClure, Associate Head of School, Health Sciences;
Lucia Ramsey, Placement Coordinator & Lecturer in Occupational Therapy.
Abstract
The employability of occupational therapy students is being enhanced through engagement
in role-emerging placements in organisations which do not currently employ an occupational
therapist. These placements promote the role of occupational therapy and provide
opportunities to advance into new areas of work.
Some placement organisations have found occupational therapy skills to be so valuable that
they have offered employment to the graduates they have taken on placement.
POSTER 17
‘Organisational Theory and Practice Applied to the Employability Metric in HE’
Dr Tim McLernon, School of the Built Environment
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Abstract
This poster suggests how employability may be improved by the application of
organisational theory and practice. The ideas and data were collected from theory and
participative observation to formulate this proposal.
POSTER 18
‘Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Students’
Dr Marie Vaganay and Mr Cameron, School of the Built Environment
Abstract
The poster presents the outcomes of module designed to develop student’s
employability. The module provides the opportunity for students to be creative, innovative
and entrepreneurial. It also builds on effective collaborative work, conflict resolution,
communicating to a variety of audiences. Students demonstrated that they have developed
valuable employability skills, interacted with clients, other professionals and peers. The
outcomes are the enhancement of their innovation and entrepreneurship skills that
contribute to graduate qualities.
POSTER 19
‘Game Enhanced Learning (GEL)’
Dr Michaela Black, David Bustard and Chloe Kernohan, School of Computing and Engineering
Abstract
Games encourage student engagement and therefore can promote deep and meaningful
learning (Quinn, 2005). Game enhanced learning (GEL) can be easily wrapped around a
module (pre-existing or new) enabling students to be awarded points for desirable behaviours
required by the academic. This concept is extremely flexible to any material, age group or
teaching model. GEL is an easy-to-use tool to help staff incorporate a game around their
module and gain the benefits of more engaged students.
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