Enhancing computing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach.

A paper was recently presented at the 11th China-Europe International Symposium of Software Engineering Education, 29-30 April 2015, Zwickau, Germany http://whz-cms-10.zw.fh-zwickau.de/bo/index_CEISEE.html

Enhancing computing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach.

Scott Turner, Associate Professor, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies, University of Northampton, Northampton, NN2 6JB, UK

Abstract

Student volunteering is growing in the UK and elsewhere, and there is an ongoing debate about whether it is really “self-evidently a ‘good thing’” or there is a greater need for reflection to determine whether this statement is true (Holdsworth and Quinn, 2010).  This paper presents a personal reflection of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) volunteering as a potential route to increasing Computing student’s employability.

This paper looks at an approach at the University of Northampton that involves:

• ·         Linking but not combining a local STEM volunteering scheme to the National STEM Volunteers (STEMNet 2015)
• ·         Creation of a STEM Steering Group that has representation across all parts of the university.

Enhancing computing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach. - CEISEE 2015 from Scott Turner

Three brief case studies of computing student volunteers at different stages will be presented and culminate with a personal reflection based on observations over a ten year period.

References

Brewis, G., Russell, J., & Holdsworth, C. (2010). Bursting the bubble: Students, volunteering and the community. Research Summary.

Holdsworth, C., & Quinn, J. (2010). Student volunteering in English higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 35(1), 113-127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03075070903019856

Junkbots (2015) Junkbots [online] Available at: http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/ Accessed on: 24th January 2015.

Sinclair J, Allen A, Davis L, Goodchild T, Messenger J, Turner S (2014) "Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach " HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

STEMNet (2015) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network [online] Available at: http://www.stemnet.org.uk/ Accessed on: 24th January 2015.

Scott is also on the International Programme committee (http://whz-cms-10.zw.fh-zwickau.de/bo/CEISEE_ProgComm.html)  and was a session chair for a paper session.

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach.

A paper has recently been present at HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach.

John Sinclair*, Stuart Allen†, Linda Davis, Trish Goodchild, Julie Messenger#, Scott Turner

University of Northampton, St George’s Avenue, Northampton, NN3 3AF.

†University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton.  NN2 7AL.

# Leicester Educational Business Company, Ashcroft House, Ervington Court,  Meridian Business Park. Leicester LE19 1WL

*author for correspondence

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach. from Scott Turner

Abstract.

For over a decade, University of Northampton staff and students have delivered successful STEM outreach activities, master classes and co-working opportunities to learners in schools and FE colleges.  In addition, the University works with the local STEMNET contract holder to gain national recognition for staff and students STEM Ambassadors and recognises STEM Ambassadors through awards (staff and student) as part of its annual celebration of volunteer achievement.  Both developments derive from a culture of empowering students as partners and enhancing the student journey.

The University has developed a co-ordinated programme of training and events to empower students and staff to engage with school and community outreach.  A cross-University STEM Steering Group (SSG) which features both management and grass roots-level representation from the across the University (Science and Technology, Health, Education, the Arts and its Centre for Employability and Engagement) manages the activities, including recruiting representation from the student body.  As such, SSG is uniquely well-placed to champion STEM activities across the University and to make these available to the wider community.  Local schools are able to access inspirational science activities, whilst University students gain employability-related skills in leadership, communication, project-delivery and self-motivation and staff gain valuable CPD.  Students also identify more strongly with the University.  The total package plays a major role in contributing to University aspirations in widening participation and is hugely popular with participants.  This paper will outline the project and will showcase the positive enhancements which it offers to University of Northampton students and school participants.


Conference details HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

BCS Career Event - update.

Purpose: This event is organized to help support students of IT in their pursuit for employment. We hope to cover several routes in to work including 
 Placement and Internship schemes 
 Direct entry into work post-graduation 
 Graduate schemes
  Self-employment 


The aim is to make this event useful to students in IT at different stages (1st, 2nd and final years) of their respective courses and expect to have students from both campuses attending. Everyone will have something to take from this event. 


Highlights of this event will be a Q&A session featuring a panel comprising the speakers at the event as well as some students of the University who have gone through the various employment routes themselves and stalls from a selection of employers into IT roles in and around Northampton.  




Date: Thursday, 17th May 2012
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm  
Venue: Avenue Campus, University of Northampton (Newton Building) 

Agenda

• 6:30 - 7:00 Tea/coffee, students to visit stalls 
• 7:20 - 7:40 First speaker: The Graduate (preparing for interviews/CV) 
• 7:00 - 7:20 Second speaker: Lydia Selby (finding good placements, intern schemes and/or going selfemployed)
• 7:40 - 8:00 Third speaker: Network Rail (Graduate schemes /Assessment centres) 
• 8:00 - 8:15 Refreshments 
• 8:15 - 8:45 (may go on till 9:00) Panel 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or concerns. 


Thank you for your interest and I look forward to your kind contribution. 


Vimukthi Mahindaratne, BCS Committee Member (Young Professionals Group) 
Email: vimukthilk@gmail.com 

BCS Northampton Careers Event

On 17th May 2012, the Northampton Branch of the BCS is running a Careers event aimed mainly (but not exclusively) at young professionals in computing in Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.This builds on last years successful IT Skills for the Recession/Recovery event.

Questions you might want to use this session to help you with:
How do you know what skills are needed to strengthen your value to industry? 

How do you prepare for a job search?
How do you set yourselves apart from your peers?

Provisional Timetable

Venue: University of Northampton, Avenue Campus (room to be confirmed)

6:30 - 7:00 Tea/coffee, students to visit stalls

7:00 - 7:20 First speaker : FDM (finding grad/placement schemes etc)

7:20 - 7:40 Second speaker : The Graduate (preparing for interviews/CV)

7:40 - 8:00 Third speaker : Network Rail (Assessment centres)

8:00 - 8:15 Refreshments

8:15 - 8:45 (may go on till 9:00) Panel

Alongside these speakers other potential employers are aiming to attend. More details about this event will follow.

This event is open to BCS and non-BCS members. 

Update: IT Skills for the Recession/Recovery event

A successful event BCS Northampton   IT Skills for the Recession/Recovery was held in the Newton Building, University of Northampton on the 9th March 2011 organised by Sarith Chandra,  Rashmi Dravid,and a team of University Students.

Speakers included
-Professor Kamal Bechkoum, Dean of School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton
-Rachel Cooper, QA/Risk Leader, GE Captial (UK Home Lending)
-Jonathon Berg, Director of Paradise Computing Ltd
-Ashley Cooper, Principal Consultant, Parc Ellis solutions Ltd

The event took the form of speaker presentations, a networking session and a panel discussion.

The audience included IT professional, and students (and some ex-students). Over 57 people attended with over 80% of those who filled in the feedback form, rated the event of high value and of a high standard.

For more details of past and future events can be found at BCS Northampton Branch.

IT Skills for the Recession / Recovery

Date/Time
Wednesday 9th March 2011, 18:30 for registration, start at 19:00. 

Venue: 
Newton Grand Hall, Newton Building, Avenue Campus, University of Northampton, St Georges Avenue, Northampton, NN2 6JD

Maps: http://www.nvision-ipt.com/Contactus.aspx
Participants will be able to park around the back. You just need to drive down the small road to the left of the building and press the intercom button on the barrier and say you are there for the BCS event. 

Cost:
Open to members and the general public, no cost.

Speakers:
Large Business, Local Business, Recruitment / HR Agency, University, IT Training provider

Summary:
"Skills needed during a recession can differ from those when it’s ‘Business as usual’.  Appreciating this difference is essential to surviving in the current climate.

We have a new Government which is looking hard at budget cuts and this means redundancies in both public and private organisations. There is optimism that IT will play an important role in the economic recovery that is already being felt in certain sectors.

So, How do you know what skills are needed in this day to strengthen your value within your firm and wider industry? How do you prepare for a job search in this environment?
How do you hold down a job and progress within your organisation? How do you set yourselves apart from your peers?

Finally, if you are a fresh graduate, then what can you do to increase your chances of securing a job?"

For more information:
http://northampton.bcs.org/forthcoming_events.php?menu_id=4

Contact information regarding event and on the day:
Sarith Chandra MBCS (csarith@bcs.org - 07919113702)