CAREER 200

Understanding the Workplace


Please note: this is archived course information from 2021 for CAREER 200.

Description

Enables students to build on existing paid work or voluntary service external to their University studies while learning about the dynamics of cultures within professional or organisational settings. Students will identify, research and propose solutions relating to a problem, or area for improvement, within their workplace/club/voluntary organisation.

The aim of the course is to enable students to gain academic credit by building on paid work, voluntary service, or similar activities that they are already undertaking external to their university study. Focusing on the company, community group or other entity that they are or have been employed/active, and taking the term ‘workplace’ in the widest possible sense to allow for a range of examples, students will apply a problem-solving methodology to explore and suggest ways of solving an existing problem or area for improvement in the organisation. In this process, they will reflect on and analyse the skills they are developing and learning both in their university courses and in the workplace/community to enhance their own employability and work-readiness.

Organisations may include business/social enterprises, Iwi organisations and identities, trusts, community groups, church groups, charities, Govt depts, NGOs, sports teams, club or societies, or groups with a strong representation of Māori, Pasifika, or International students.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • Understand and apply a problem-solving methodology to identify and propose solutions to business/organization problems/areas for potential improvement
  • Transfer academic knowledge to the real-world contexts and apply critical analysis, problem-solving, innovation and communication in work place contexts
  • Reflect on learning in workplace/community project/sport or cultural team and apply the skills developed to other contexts
  • Reflect on individual career development based on skill development and experience in their organisation
  • Demonstrate ability to write and orally present a summary of challenges/problems and their possible solutions

Graduate profile

The course will help students to develop these capabilities within the BA Graduate profile:

  • Research, imagine, and aim to create transformative solutions to defined problems.
  • Express and present information and ideas clearly, coherently, and persuasively in a variety of forms to diverse audiences.
  • Able to demonstrate honesty and integrity and to engage in independent, ethical decision-making and action.
  • Capable of intellectual flexibility, self-assessment and self-directed learning for the benefit of career management as well as future personal and professional progress.
  • Able to exercise rights and fulfil responsibilities as informed, ethical, and engaged citizens contributing to sustainable social, economic, and natural environments.

Availability 2021

Semester 1

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s) Ms Jane Bradley
Edward Elder

Assessment

Coursework only

Points

CAREER 200: 15 points

Prerequisites

90 points passed