Career development and employability
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Whatever your chosen career, this key introductory OU level 1 module will enable you to use your workplace as a context for learning, and develop your ability to apply your learning to improve your practice at work. You will also develop your critical thinking skills and increase your understanding of how to research workplace issues. The preparation of personal, professional and academic development plans will support your development as an independent learner and help you to align your personal and career development aspirations. You must have access to a realistic work environment and be performing a role – whether paid or voluntary – that you can use as a basis for your studies.
What you will study
This module gives you the opportunity to achieve 30 credits towards your higher education qualification goal using work-related activities as a basis for your studies. You will achieve this by working through resources, activities and assignments with support from your tutor, your work colleagues and your fellow students. There are four study blocks in the module covering learning at work; critical thinking and reflective practice; carrying out research in the workplace; personal, academic and career development planning; and understanding the workplace context and your role within it.
You will learn
This module aims to help you:
- develop your ability to learn from the workplace through reflective practice
- apply your skills, understanding and knowledge within the workplace
- develop your understanding of your work context and your role within it
- gain the skills necessary to carry out research at work
- understand the concept of professionalism and enable you to map your existing skills and knowledge against relevant occupational standards
- evaluate, plan and develop your personal, academic, professional and employability skills and align your own development needs with the business objectives of your organisation.
Entry requirements
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to modules at level 2.
You are responsible for obtaining permission to use your workplace as a basis for your studies prior to registering for this module.
In order to successfully complete the module you must:
- be engaged in suitable full-time or part-time employment – either paid or voluntary
- have permission to carry out work-based learning tasks in your work setting
- confirm that the work you submit is based on your practice in that setting
- have regular access to a computer connected to the internet.
Further detailed information will be sent to you once you have registered for the module.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
What's included
You will receive a copy of the module reader, The Manager’s Good Study Guide. Additional resources and support will be made available from the module website, online forums, The Open University library and selected external websites and journal papers.
Computing requirements
You'll need a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of 64-bit Windows 10 (note that Windows 7 is no longer supported) or macOS and broadband internet access.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile App will operate on all current, supported, versions of Android and iOS. It's not available on Kindle.
It's also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook, however, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you'll also require a desktop or laptop as described above.