This module aims to equip second-year Essex Business School (EBS) students with the awareness, confidence, and skills necessary to engage effectively with a dynamic and competitive graduate labour market. It prepares students to make strong, competitive applications at the beginning of their final year of study and supports the transition into postgraduate study by aligning academic development with future employability goals.
The module includes three individual meetings with Student Advisors, designed to facilitate personalised reflection and goal setting:
· Meeting 1: Students will complete a self-assessment tool focused on knowledge, skills, and behaviours, using the EBS Skills Map and the module’s learning outcomes. Student Advisors will support each student in setting at least two development goals per category.
· Meeting 2: Progress towards the goals established in Meeting 1 will be reviewed and discussed.
· Meeting 3: Students will reflect on their overall development and complete the self-assessment again to evaluate growth.
In addition to the advisory meetings, the module consists of six compulsory two-hour lectures, covering key topics such as:
· Graduate labour market trends
· Recruitment timelines and processes
· Postgraduate study pathways
· Graduate selection tools (e.g., interviews, assessment centres)
· Entrepreneurship and alternative career routes
Students will also be invited to attend the Successful Futures Conference, hosted by Essex Business School. This event provides opportunities to engage with alumni, industry professionals, and external speakers, offering valuable insights into professional environments and career development.
This is a zero-credit module, designed to promote self-reflection, skill enhancement, and goal setting. It supports students in developing the study practices, employability skills, and personal awareness required for academic success and future career readiness—both within EBS and beyond.
Module Aims
· To develop students’ awareness of post-graduate pathways, including employment opportunities and further study options relevant to EBS students.
· To enhance understanding of the current job market, including employer expectations, recruitment practices, and the professional skills needed for career success.
· To apply key employability skills (e.g. communication, problem-solving, teamwork) to real-world scenarios and career planning tasks in a professional context.
· To analyse how subject-specific knowledge can be transferred to professional environments, and apply this insight to career decision-making.
· To promote academic progress and personal development, through structured guidance, self-reflection, and engagement with university support mechanisms.