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 2020 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Professional Practice and Leadership
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), 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 formal frameworks of knowledge management.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	identify and reflect on project and knowledge management strategies in the IT industry;
2.	reflect on the effectiveness of, and apply interpersonal skills in team work;
3.	apply self-marketing strategies for job applications and interviews;
4.	explain professional behaviours and skills required to be successful in an IT career.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

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

• Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
• Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
• Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)

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, including how to manage and deal with new knowledge and new situations, to have difficult conversations and bring forward a viewpoint.

You are expected to attend class 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.

Content (topics)

• Trends and opportunities in the IT industry
• Technical and transferable skills (including an introduction to the SFIA framework)
• Preparing competitive resumes and cover letters
• Interviewing skills
• Project management
• Public speaking
• Communication techniques

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Resume

Intent:	To prepare students for real-world job applications.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1
Type:	Portfolio
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	25%
Length:	Length of all components in this assessment may be found on UTSOnline

Assessment task 2: Cover Letter

Intent:	To prepare students for a group interview.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 and F.1
Type:	Reflection
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	25%

Assessment task 3: Video Interview

Intent:	To prepare students for a group interview.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 and F.1
Type:	Reflection
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	25%

Assessment task 4: Group Planning Board

Intent:	For students to become technically proficient in an industry-standard project management software and methodology.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 and E.1
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	25%

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

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/

NSW ICT Career Pathway

https://www.psc.nsw.gov.au/workforce-management/capability-framework/occupation-specific-capability-sets/ict-career-pathway-framework