The Higher Education Psychology Network existed from 2004 to 2011 to promote excellence in the learning, teaching and assessment of Psychology in UK HE

Past event details

Reports, presentations and other materials from this event

Working Together to Improve Psychology Student Employability - Tuesday 17 June 2008, Leeds

Only an estimated 20% of psychology graduates go on to pursue careers in psychology with the remaining seeking careers in other areas. While there are many opportunities for graduates who pursue alternative careers, some research suggests that they are more at risk for experiencing career difficulties than those pursuing clear vocational paths.

Psychology student employability is an issue for academics as well as career advisers who have the opportunity to provide joined up support for students in the classroom and beyond. This conference will bring together these constituents to provide a forum to hear recent research around psychology student employability, discuss issues, share practice and explore ways of working together to support employability. Delegates will have the opportunity to reflect on the relationship between curricula and employability, provide input into a pilot funding scheme for psychology student support projects, and receive a copy of the newly released "Psychology Student Employability Guide" as well as a free employability audit card sort.

This event is a joint effort between the Psychology Network and AGCAS.

Programme

10:00-10:15Registration and coffee
10:15-10:30Welcome and Introductions
10:30-11:00Collaborative Relationships - Anne Benson, University of East Anglia will present her research on the relationships between academic departments and careers service offices.
11:00-12:15Career Destinations of year 2000 Psychology Graduates - This session will look at recent research from the British Psychological Society into psychology graduate careers as well as research from psychology academics on employers perceptions of psychology students.Presenters include Dr. Darren Van Laar, Principal Lecturer, Psychology, University of Portsmouth and Dr. Siobhan Hugh-Jones, Lecturer, Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds. Delegates will engage in an activity designed to help them think about issues relevant to psychology students as well as what might be done to support them.
12:15-1:00Lunch
1:00-2:00Integrating Employability into the Curriculum - This interactive session involves a card sort exercise designed to help identify where employability fits into curriculum. Facilitate by Dr. Laura Dean, Leeds Metropolitan University.
2:00-3:00Supporting Psychology Student Employability - This practice sharing session will include a series of brief presentations which will reivew some best practices and materials. Delegates will be asked to share other good practices from their institutions and departments.Presentations will include:

- Caprice Lantz, Academic Coordinator, Psychology Network - Psychology student employability guide
-Enhancing the employability of undergraduate Psychology students at Glasgow Caledonian University Dr. Douglas Forbes, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University - Scottish aiming university learning @ work project
-Employability, life-long learning and competencies at work and in recruitment: Implications for UK psychology undergraduate learning and teaching Pete Reddy, Teaching Fellow, Psychology, Aston University - PDP & placement year
- The Psychology Curriculum:Transitions to Employment Dr. Pat Roberts, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, University of Bedfordshire - Curriculum skills audit
- Playing Your Cards Right: The Psychology Card Sort and WBL
 Dr. Jacqui Akhurst, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, York Saint John University - Work experience card sort
3:00-3:15Tea and coffee
3:15-4:00Enhancing Practice to Support Psychology Students - Delegates will review guidelines for a pilot scheme to provide funding for projects to enhance employability of psychology students. Delegates will provide feedback on the scheme and generate ideas for possible projects.
4:00Feedback and Close


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Archive information

Background
One of 24 discipline-based centres within the Higher Education Academy, the Psychology Network supported the teaching and learning of psychology across the UK between 2004 and 2011. A core team, based at the University of York, worked with students, staff, departments, professional bodies and overseas organisations to develop supportive networks and to improve the learning experience of psychology students in Higher Education.
Higher Education Academy
British Psychological Society
Europlat