Bristol PLUS AwardIntroductory Talk 2016-17

Maxine Sims, Bristol PLUS Award Coordinator

#UoBrisPLUSaward

30 minute intro

#UoBrisPLUSaward

• Overview

• PLUS Award requirements

• Online system

• Q&A

Please sign in – automatic email sent after this talk will ask you to register.

Recognition and reward scheme for participation in

activities outside of academia

The Bristol PLUS Award is designed to help you:

• Develop a variety of employability skills

• Enhance your CV and stand out from the crowd

• Articulate your skills to employers and be prepared for the interview process

#UoBrisPLUSaward

What are the benefits?

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Stand out to employers

“The Award equipped me with essential transferable knowledge and skills that will maximise my chances of success in the recruitment process and workplace. I now have a better understanding of the kinds of skills required by employers and how to effectively showcase them at interviews.”

“The Award has allowed me to gain the knowledge and experience needed to apply for graduate level jobs, which would seem a lot scarier otherwise.”

“My PLUS Award experience provided me with stand-out experience to add to my CV, which led to a graduate position at a top investment bank.”

#UoBrisPLUSaward

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Take control of your future

“The Bristol PLUS Award provides an aim for students who are lost and have no idea what they want to do. Its a start.”

“The Bristol PLUS Award has developed my skills and confidence, as well as my knowledge of different career options.”

“I found the experience both rewarding and satisfying, I am happy to have completed it and feel confident in planning my future.”

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Have fun while gaining skills

“I have found the experience thoroughly enjoyable, and would recommend it to any Bristol student wanting to be a step ahead of others upon graduating.”

“I really enjoyed the Bristol PLUS Award as it gave me the opportunity to develop skills that weren't taught in my degree.”

“The Award ensured I made the most of my time at university. I have pushed myself to go the extra mile… and the best thing is, I've enjoyed it!”

#UoBrisPLUSaward

What are the requirements?

#UoBrisPLUSaward

• Completion deadline: 9th Jun 2017

• You must register by 10th Feb 2017

• Any evidence that you use towards the award must have taken place whilst you were registered UoBstudent

• and must not be credit bearing or compulsory for your degree.

#UoBrisPLUSaward

#UoBrisPLUSaward

50 hours work experience

Experience can be:

• Voluntary

• Paid employment

• Internships/placements

• In the UK or abroad

• Coaching or Caring responsibilities

Experience can be split over multiple places

You need to provide details of a referee

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Find work experiencemycareer vacancies

Full time / part time work and internships

UoB Internship scheme

Funded opportunities with Small and Medium size Enterprises in the UK.

SU Volunteering

Volunteer in Bristol www.bristolsu.org.uk/skills-volunteering

UoB Temporary staffing service (TSS)

Temporary work at the University www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/temporary-staffing/join-us/starting/

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Help with applications http://www.bristol.ac.uk/careers/find-and-apply/

#UoBrisPLUSaward

4 workshops

• At least one workshop must be interview skills related.

• The remaining three workshops can be any other employability related workshops that you have attended.

• Workshops must allow you to explore your career options or gain an employability skill and be at least 30 minutes in duration.

• Almost all of the workshops that take place at the Careers Service can be used towards the award in addition to departmental or external workshops you may have attended.

#UoBrisPLUSaward

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Intensive skills activity

During an intensive skills activity you will have:

• gained employability-related skills.

• participated in an interactive manner.

• participated for a minimum of 6 hours.

• reviewed the skills you have gained from the activity/event.

Your 'intensive skills activity' cannot be the same as your 'work/life experience'.

You cannot use the same activity for the Outstanding Award.

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Example Intensive Skills Activities

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Careers- Intensive Skills Days- Student enterprise

courses / conferences

PGR students- Research without Borders- Present at a conference- Support an UG field trip

Students Union- Volunteering- Society roles- Course rep- Student media;

Epigram, Burst…

Employment- Work place training- Employer insight day /

week

Sustainability- Any audit training- Bristol is Global comp.- Sustainable lab member

Halls- Senior Resident- JCR rep

Sport- Club captain- Sports Leadership Award- Coaching certificate

Widening Participation- Any mentoring position- Tutor- Ambassador- Open day steward

?

Autumn term intensive skills

days at the Careers Service:

• 17th November - Zurich

• 30th November – Enterprise Rent-a-Car

• 9th December - PwC

#UoBrisPLUSaward

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Reflective report

• Review your PLUS Award experiences and what you feel you have learnt from them.

• 400 words - 10% word count allowance.

• Details of the skills you have developed through your PLUS Award activities.

• What you did, what happened and what part you played.

• What you thought went well, why, and what you achieved.

• What could have been done differently.

• What lessons you will take into account for the future.

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Final review

The final stage of the award is a group event where you will:

• Take stock of what you have gained and identify your next steps beyond the Award.

• Learn from and network with your peers.

• Highlight how the Careers Service & the wider University can continue to support your development.

• Sessions begin in October.

#UoBrisPLUSaward

#UoBrisPLUSaward

#UoBrisPLUSaward

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Summary

• Great addition to your CV and recommended by students.

• Get prepared for YOUR future - You get out what you put in!

• 1 year programme – completion deadline 9th June 2017.

• Registration deadline 10th Feb 2017.

• All activities must be extra curricular, registered UoB student, non compulsory.

• You will receive an email containing the link to register.

• Take a PLUS Award notebook before you leave today.

• Connect with us on social media

https://www.facebook.com/UoBristol.Careers.Service/

https://twitter.com/UoBrisCareers

#UoBrisPLUSaward

Find out more: bristol.ac.uk/careers/employable/plus-award/

careers-plusaward@bristol.ac.uk