31016 Career Management for IT Professionals

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2019 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Description

This subject aims to prepare IT students for their internship and work-integrated learning (WIL) by being able to effectively market themselves to appropriate employers and apply professional skills and behaviours sought in the workplace, such as ethical decision making. The subject initially focuses on the skills (both technical and transferable) required to be competitive job seekers, an understanding of how to develop effective targeted job applications and how to perform well in an interview. It then prepares students for professional practice by teaching students how to manage ethical dilemmas, apply creativity in the workplace and learn experientially using a formal framework. The subject also introduces a skills-based e-portfolio, which students will employ during their internships and for ongoing career management.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	critically analyse a range of workplace requirements and functions in the IT labour market;
2.	research and develop a full range of skills and strategies such as experiential learning required to pursue career goals and projects;
3.	identify and critically analyse project and management strategies in the IT industry;
4.	critically analyse and apply the effectiveness of interpersonal skills in team work;
5.	apply self marketing strategies for job applications and interviews;
6.	analyse and explain professional behaviours and skills required to be successful in an IT career;
7.	develop a comprehensive effective e-portfolio for career planning and self-management purposes;

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

• Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose (E.1)
• Identify and apply relevant project management methodologies (E.3)
• Be able to conduct critical self-review and performance evaluation against appropriate criteria as a primary means of tracking personal development needs and achievements (F.1)
• Appreciate ethical implications of professional practice (F.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching will be based around a single two-hour face-to-face class per week. Students are expected to read the allocated preparation material and any additional identified readings before each class as well as watch any identified related videos. The class will include interactive activities such as analysing case studies and role playing related to the job application process, the job interview process and workplace skills.

You are expected to attend class or participate online in a group or team working on a specific topic around leadership and management strategies. The second part of session will involve teams both managing the class and teaching other teams about their chosen topic using simulation, games, role plays and class discussion.

Activities will be conducted individually, in a peer review manner or in groups depending upon the nature of the activity and the number of enrolled students.

Content (topics)

1. Trends and opportunities in the IT industry
2. Technical and transferable skills (including an introduction to the SFIA framework)
3. Preparing competitive resumes and cover letters
4. Interviewing skills
5. Experiential learning
6. Leadership topics may include:

• Process Management and Improvement
• Ethics
• Teamwork
• Learning by reflection
• Diversity
• Sustainability
• Communication
• Creativity and entrepreneurship

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Applying for a job

Intent:	Provide students with necessary tools and skills to gain employment in a competitive environment.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): E.1 and F.1
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Group, group and individually assessed
Weight:	20%
Length:	Length of all components in this assessment may be found on the assessment sheet.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Layout 33 1, 5 E.1 Expression 33 1, 5 E.1 Content 34 1, 5 F.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Simulated job interview and reflective analysis

Intent:	To answer behavioural questions posed at a simulated job interview according to the STAR technique and perform a formal reflective analysis using Kolb’s cycle.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 4, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): E.1 and F.1
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	30%
Length:	Length of all components in this assessment may be found on the assessment sheet.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Response to simulated interview questions 40 1, 4 E.1 Reflective analysis of simulated job application 60 6, 7 F.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Student Class Management

Intent:	To research and present in class management and learning activities.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): E.1, E.3, F.1 and F.2
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Group, group and individually assessed
Weight:	50%
Length:	Length of all components in this assessment may be found on the assessment sheet.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Student/Academic agreed criteria 100 2, 3, 4, 6 E.1, E.3, F.1, F.2 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

References

Eunson, B., [2016] Communicating in the 21st century, Wiley, Melbourne.

Weckert, J., [2013] Professionalism in the information and communication technology industry, ANU E Press, Canberra

Schwartz, M., [2017] Business ethics: an ethical decision-making approach, John Wiley and Sons

Frederick, H., O’Connor, A., and Kuratko, D. F., [2016]. Entrepreneurship: Theory/Process/Practice, 4th edition, Cengage Learning, Australia

Plucker, J. A. (Ed.), [2017] Creativity and Innovation: Theory, Research, and Practice. Waco, Texas: Prufrock Press.

SFIA, https://www.sfia-online.org/