Transcript Providing opportunities for masters students to undertake

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Pamela Crawford
Dr Eunice Atkins
Dr Mario Kolberg
Making the Most of Masters
• Opportunities for PGT students to undertake
work based dissertation projects (WBPs)
• Funded by the Scottish Funding Council
• Project is a collaboration between:
What we do:
Support and Advice
 Develop/maintain links with
organisations
 To all stakeholders to
understand project lifecycle
 Stakeholder events e.g.
workshops, networking
 To make procedures
sustainable within
programmes
Resources
• MMM Toolkit
• Educational support
• Network of colleagues
• Some (limited) financial support
Advantages for stakeholders
Students





Understand theory
through application
Understand reality
of applied research
Insights into
industry practice
Knowledge of
workplace,
develop
confidence /
independence
Develop contacts /
network /
enhanced
employability
"One of the main reasons for deciding to progress with a
masters at the University of Stirling was not only the strong
reputation of the course, but also the opportunity to carry out
a work based placement with the Making the Most of
Masters scheme. This offers vital experience often missing
from similar courses, giving graduates a competitive edge
and increasing employability.“
Katrina Shiells, University of Stirling MSc Environmental
Management student 2013-14.
Advantages for stakeholders
Staff



Develop contacts /
network /
enhanced
employability
Enhanced
reputation for
recruitment
Increase industry
links
“Work based MSc projects give a taste to the student of working
in the software industry applying their newly acquired knowledge
in a commercial setting. They are an ideal preparation for the
time after their studies and ease the transition from university into
a career.”
Dr Mario Kolberg, Programme Director of several IT and
Computing Courses, University of Stirling.
“Making the Most of Masters is a vital and successful part of our
approach to achieving work ready graduates. This initiative has
achieved new and important partnerships and networks with
employers, given key work-related skills to our students and
prepared them for the world of graduate employment.”
Professor Ian Simpson, Head of the School of Natural
Sciences, University of Stirling
Advantages for stakeholders
Employers


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
Opportunity to
engage with the
University
Explore the
experience of
having a graduate
delivering a piece of
work
Contribute to a new
generation of
graduates
Business
development
“Making the Most of Masters provided an excellent opportunity to undertake
a business development related project with a good student and excellent
academic supervision. You felt you were benefiting directly from the project
whilst assisting the next generation of young professionals get a flavour of
what business is about. All round a very worthwhile and well organised
process.”
John Ferguson
EcoideaM Ltd
"Our experience of Making the Most of Masters has been extremely
rewarding. The programme provided us with access to potential Graduate
Application Developers and it was clear that MMM had worked very hard in
preparing students for the commercial workplace. Being based at Stirling
University and having a relationship with MMM continues to provide us with a
potential and local talent pool. Our internship in 2013 led to the appointment
of a Graduate Developer, who has since proven himself to be technically
capable and he also has a combination of valuable people skills and a
mature awareness of workplace discipline and commercial practices, which
are sought by employers in today's competitive marketplace.”
Nick Pye, CEO. Youmanage HR Ltd
The Challenges…
Student
Engagement
More risky
More challenging
Lack of self confidence
Staff Engagement
Management of
the experience
Cost
Showcasing Stirling
Collecting data and
reporting
Concern for student
experience
Pre-project discussion
Unknown host – what if it
does not work out
Additional/possibly more
time consuming
processes
Rigorous academic project
Solutions: Embedded
 Embedding MMM in School
 Embedding support activity within the
school
 Programme ownership: sustainability
and adaptability
Solutions: Bespoke
 Programmes choose support: match with
own needs
 Projects scoped through Networking Event
with external organisations
 Direct student support: ‘Lift Off!’
 Employability (self-reflection)
 Self-efficacy and confidence
To Learn More
For more information about the project visit our website
www.mastersprojects.ac.uk
And to keep up to date with the latest news join us
www.linkedin.com/groups/Making-Most-Masters4100224
Follow us on twitter @LTW2_MMM