As part of my PgCert in Academic Practice at UAL, I am undertaking an action research project that focuses on embedding career conversations at the Foundation level to enhance student employability. The goal is to design a one-day Career Day Programme tailored specifically for Foundation students, with the aim of presenting this project to the head of Careers & Employability to secure funding and approval to host the programme in the 2025/26 academic year.
This project is guided by a strong belief in social justice, ensuring that all students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—have equal access to career support early in their academic journey. By embedding career conversations at this stage, I aim to help students from diverse backgrounds see themselves in the creative industries and feel confident in navigating their future careers. Ethical considerations are also central to my project, from securing informed consent to protecting the data and privacy of participants, and ensuring the research process is transparent, inclusive, and respectful to all involved.
This initiative not only supports UAL’s graduate outcomes but also addresses the broader need for diversity and inclusivity in the creative industries. By providing early exposure to career opportunities, I hope to help students recognise their potential and overcome barriers to employability.
Timeline Plan and Staying on Track
With my presentation set for Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, I have structured my action research process over the next several weeks, allowing me to effectively manage my time.
Here’s my week-by-week plan:
- Week 1 (Oct 23 – Oct 29): Stakeholder outreach and finalising ethical documents.
- I’ll start by reaching out to Foundation staff and the C&E team, scheduling interviews, and ensuring all ethical guidelines (like consent forms) are in place. I’ll also dive into the literature to ground my project in research.
- Week 2 (Oct 30 – Nov 5): Conducting initial interviews and beginning data analysis.
- I’ll start conducting interviews with Foundation tutors and sharing a survey with careers advisors to get a sense of their perspectives on employability, which will inform the programme design.
- Week 3 (Nov 6 – Nov 12): More interviews and initial programme design.
- With additional interviews, I’ll gather more feedback and start designing the key sessions for the Career Day.
- Week 4 (Nov 13 – Nov 19): Programme development and stakeholder feedback.
- By this stage, I’ll be refining the Career Day content, gathering feedback on early drafts from stakeholders, and working on initial materials.
- Week 5 (Nov 20 – Nov 26): Finalizing programme materials and preparing for the presentation.
- The Career Day sessions and all materials will be finalised, and I’ll also develop feedback mechanisms to evaluate the success of the event.
- Week 6 (Nov 27 – Dec 3): Presentation preparation.
- I’ll focus on preparing and practising my final presentation, summarising my research, programme design, and expected impact.
- Week 7 (Dec 4): Presentation Day!
- The final push will be delivering the presentation and submitting all necessary materials.
How I Plan to Stay on Track
To ensure I stick to this plan, I’ll be setting weekly goals and regularly reflecting on my progress. I’ll also use tools like Microsoft Planner to track tasks and deadlines, and I’ll build in flexibility where possible to accommodate any unexpected delays. Staying organised is key, but I’ll also make time for reflection on my blog, so I can adjust my approach if needed and ensure that I’m gathering the most valuable insights along the way.