Prospectus

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WORK (Career Orientation & Competence Reflection)

Course
2021-2022

Admission requirements

Compulsory part of MSc Chemistry and MSc Life Science & Technology. Not available as an elective for other students.

Description

MSc students Chemistry and Life Science & Technology take the compulsory co-curricular component “WORK” (career orientation & competence reflection). Students have to Write an application letter and CV, attend seminars and workshops for job market Orientation and have to Reflect on their skills, strengths and weaknesses. After finalisation of this component they will have acquired improved Knowledge of what they are good at and what kind of career they would like to pursue!
This component comprises a number of activities and workshops to create awareness of the job market and give students insight into their skills, abilities and weaknesses. During the two years of the MSc programme, a number of different activities are offered. The activities include alumni events (e.g. lectures, speed-dating), workshops offered by the Career Service, self-assessment and self-reflection tasks, participation in excursions to companies and visits to career fairs such as the ‘β banenmarkt’. All students have to do a self-evaluation test at the start of their programme, take part in the workshop ‘CV, LinkedIn profile and cover letter’ during their studies, and write a self-reflection after their major research project. In addition, students take at least six of the offered workshops or other activities that are offered by the programme, Career Service or other partners during their studies, within the boundaries specified by the programme.

Part 1. Students hand in a written self-evaluation based on an online competency test and reflection assignment. Feedback is provided by an independent career adviser from the Science Career Service.
Part 2. Students follow at least six events from a selection provided by the programme management and hand in short reflection reports.
Part 3. Students hand in a written self-reflection based on their experiences in the major research project and an online work values test. Feedback is provided by an independent career adviser from the Science Career Service.
Part 4. Students follow a Science Career Service workshop on writing a CV and cover letter for a job in Chemistry or Life Science.

Course objectives

At the end of this component students

  • have an improved view of their knowledge, skills, experience, goals and study choices at the start of their programme

  • have reflected on their skills, their strong points and points for improvement, based on the experiences and feedback they receive in interactions with their supervisors and the final evaluation of their major research project

  • can identify and reflect on their career and lifestyle aims

  • are aware of the job and career perspectives for graduates of their programme

  • are able to write application letters and a CV

  • know the actions they can take to prepare for their transition from study to work

Timetable

Part 1 has to be handed in by 1 October for students starting per September or 1 March for students starting per February.
Part 2 has to be completed within 18 months after the start of the programme (12 months for students in the EDU-60 programme).
Part 3 has to be handed in together with the MSc thesis (major research project thesis).
Part 4 has to be completed before graduation.
Other assignment deadlines are communicated via Brightspace.

Mode of instruction

Instructions are provided via the WORK section in the programme Brightspace module. Reflection assignments are turned in on Brightspace. Feedback to assignments will be provided digitally.

Assessment method

This component is graded on a pass/no pass scale. A pass grade is required before a student can graduate.

Remarks

The Brightspace environment for this component is integrated into the programme Brightspace module.