Engaging bioscience students in employability activities by embedding into the curriculum and personal tutor scheme

Graduate employability exists at the heart of the HE agenda. Developing frameworks to embed employability are key priorities in improving career prospects of bioscience students. One significant employability factor is personal development. To help students achieve this, our personal tutor scheme (PTS) encourages students in self-reflection/evaluation. Consequently, we are designing support structures through the PTS that not only complement the employability embedded within the curriculum, but provides integration with the university’s careers/employability service. Key to our strategy is working on projects as part of student/staff partnerships to enhance greater awareness, exploration and demonstration of employability skills amongst our students. Through student surveys and focus groups, we are gauging the effectiveness of promoting employability events, reasons for students engaging in employability activities and perceived barriers; along with understanding the role the PTS plays in delivering these activities. The effects of widening participation status, reasons for attending university, course choice, previous experience and qualifications are also being examined; along with how these factors relate to students’ career aspirations in terms of desired career roles, anticipated salaries and the type of transferable skills they may require. This information is being utilised to develop new approaches in the careers and employability provision for students within the School of Life Sciences through the development of student orientatedemployability activities/packs/events and to monitor any changes in ‘The Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey’ data.