CSM Professionalism Year 1 - 2019 entry

This module is designed to help prepare students for their time at University and the start of their professional careers. It will be based on increasing understanding of academic expectations, the nature of employment, the geoscience / mining industries, appreciation of reputational risk and expectations of workplace and professional behaviours. It will draw on many years of experience from staff and external visitors.

The module picks up from the introduction of CSM and the University of Exeter Values during the Welcome Week meeting and activities. It will provide ideas on the range of opportunities that can be undertaken that would aid professional development both during studies and in the workplace. There will be similar short modules in Years 2 and 3.

The lectures, talks and workshop sessions will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of the potential professional routes that our students and graduates can take, and the importance of professional attitudes and behaviours in terms of these careers. The concepts covered will also be part of individual tutorials and an opportunity for students to reflect, discuss and track their individual journey with their tutors.

This will be delivered through approximately one and a half days of talks, lectures, workshops and personal activities. Group work will be used as well as interaction with those in Year two and outside organisations.

Professionalism and the academic environment

Understanding what professionalism means in academia and in the professional working environment.

The Employment Contract

What do employers expect from an employee? What are the key skills that a geoscientist or mining engineer expected to have before entering the industry? Appreciating that many geoscientists and mining engineers entre a competitive global market, and how students can start to develop essential skills that employers want in an increasingly competitive environment. This should provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their personal and academic skills and look at areas that they wish to improve.

Mining & Geoscience industries

The industries our graduates go into are described, their companies, size, scope, nature of roles, activities and challenges.

Global Careers

Careers in geoscience and mining, typically involve working in international locations and travelling as part of your job, what are the advantages and risks of doing this? How can you best prepare for this type of working environment? Appreciating the importance of language and communication skills, cultural awareness and taking responsibility for your safety in remote and challenging environments.

Cultural Sensitivity in International Industry

Operating effectively in many countries requires understanding of local and national culture as well as laws, customs and practices. Many mine sites and research areas operate under strict environmental and often social conditions, for example the expectation to respect local sites of religious or historical significance, observing bans on certain foods or the consumption of alcohol. This will vary in different countries but having the awareness is key to successfully working in a global environment.

Individual Appearance and Perception

The internet makes it possible to easily search for individuals and find both professional and social profiles that are open access (even if you don’t share personal photos it is likely others may share content which includes you). A potential recruiter could see your holiday photos, the groups you follow, comments you made on social media several years ago, all factors which may impact on their decision to employ a particular individual. It is important to ensure that your online profile, social and professional does not negatively impact your future career prospects. There are many excellent examples of positive online presence that can actually showcase your experiences and help you to promote yourself to a potential employer. For example a professional blog or diary that records your field work and documents the experience you have gained working in different areas. To a potential employer, you are what they see online.

Individual Reputation

A student’s reputation as a person and as a professional in their field is something they will start to develop while at university and continue to maintain throughout their career.  As a professional there are many other factors that an individual will work on and strive to improve such as; work ethic, ability to get on with others, ability to work in difficult situations, ability to complete a task to a high standard and manage problems, are some of the skills that take time to develop.  

Taking responsibility for your personal safety and wellbeing

Many industries and working environments are risky, they involve travel to remote areas, lone working, and working in locations without easy access to medical or emergency assistance. Learning to assess the risks and putting your safety and wellbeing ahead of everything else is vital.  Mining companies and many geoscience associated organisations take safety very seriously and it is considered a top priority. Learning to take responsibility for your safety and wellbeing while having a duty of care to those around you, is an essential professional skill.

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Note: This module is assessed with simple pass/fail based on participation and completion of summative assessments.

Reading list for this module: