Innovation School MSc International Management & Design Innovation

Sabrina Barrios Fernandez

Contact
S.BFernandez1@student.gsa.ac.uk
Works
Connexion

Connexion

CHALLENGE

In a competitive job market, recent graduates with no work experience often find themselves in a position where they need experience to get a job and a job to get experience. The industry demands work experience even for entry-level roles, stressing the importance of bridging the gap between education and the world of work now more than ever.

Students often do not feel prepared and confident to enter the world of work. The aim of this project is to help international students who are struggling to find their first jobs due to not having work experience or changing careers in the Design Innovation sector.

PROPOSAL

My proposal was designed using the Innovation School of The Glasgow School of Art as a case-study. The proposal aims to leverage industry collaboration with universities to improve job prospects. To achieve it, an embedded career planning module is proposed alongside the curriculum. The modules are intended to be taught through a series of workshops led by industry experts. The modules are tailored to the industry’s current requirements and students needs.

The main objectives are to encourage interaction between professionals and students in order to foster connections; improve the employability attributes of graduates; assist students in developing their confidence by testing their skills; and provide knowledge of job application processes.

A placement is added with the aim of enabling students the opportunity to apply the theories, principles, and concepts they have learned in their Masters programme, in a real-world setting. The proposal concludes with an annual review to modify the curriculum and career planning intervention plan in light of student feedback, industry trends, and labour market demands.

CONNEXION

Building skills, bridging careers.

CAREER PLAN Module

My proposal seeks to improve job prospects by leveraging industry collaboration with universities. Along with the curriculum, an embedded career planning module is proposed. Workshops are created in collaboration with students, academics, career advisors, and industry experts. It is imparted in one-day activity- based format by industry experts. Assistance is mandatory and campus based. Grades and feedback will be provided; however, they do not affect your overall course grade.

MIXER challenge- Module 1

The aim of this module is for students to have exposure to industry experts, where they can gain industry knowledge, career expectations, required skills, roles and ultimately make connections. The module is imparted in a fun way for those who find networking is not their thing. PORTFOLIO 3min challenge The aim of the 3 min challenge is for students to learn how to synthesise their stage 1,2,3 projects into a 3 minute digital pitch, because we all know recruiters have seconds to see your portfolio.

SKILLS challenge- Module 2

The aim of this module is for students to get to test their skills and identify their transferable skills with the help of an industry expert. Students can access real-work-based skills challenges to practise and identify areas for improvement.

MOCK DESIGN challenge- Module 3

The aim of this module is for students to practise with mock design challenges, bringing the theory to practice. Students get the opportunity to practise for one of the most common recruitment process requirements. With the help of an industry expert, students can get access to real-company briefs to practise and build their confidence.

PITCH challenge- Module 4

The aim of this module is for students to learn how to sell themselves for job interviews and pitch for real work projects. With the help of an industry expert, students have access to feedback and insights on what the companies expect from their applicants. The module is imparted in a fun way because we know interviews can make anyone nervous. A placement is added with the aim of enabling students the opportunity to apply the theories, principles, and concepts they have learned in their master’s programme in a real-world setting. The proposal concludes with an annual review to modify the curriculum and career planning intervention plan considering student feedback, industry trends, and labour market demands.

CHANGE challenge- Annual Review

The aim of the annual review is to bring together recent graduate students, industry experts, recruiters, academics, and career planning experts to review the career planning module based on feedback from students, identified gaps, new trends, job market and to find new exciting collaborations. All the challenges made during the career planning module would be uploaded in the CONNEXION platform, so students can have access for future reference.

CONNEXION

A platform that uses the method of learning-by-doing. Students have access to mock design brief generators based on real-life projects from different companies. Students can practise as much as they want, ranging from mock design challenges to build their portfolio or practise for a job interview. And best of all, students can get their designs endorsed and feedback from industry experts and peers. And if you're feeling shy, you can always upload your designs anonymously. Who has access? Students, academics, and industry experts that have participated in the career module planning CONNEXION is looking to motivate companies to form partnerships with universities and help students bridge the gap between education and the world of work.