Employability support for English at Lancaster University including

Employability support for English at Lancaster University, including placements, internships and workshops Dr Sara Wasson, Academic Employability Champion Department of English Literature and Creative Writing

Positive indicators • #2 in the UK for careers after six months, in the Guardian University Guide 2020 • Strong in league tables. – #1 in the UK for Creative Writing in the Complete University Guide 2020 and the Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 – In the top 10 in the UK for English and Creative Writing in the Complete University Guide 2020 and the Guardian University Guide 2020 • In the most recent DELHE (2016 -17), average graduate salary was £ 19, 700 contrasted with UK-wise average of £ 17, 500.

Employability support • specialist workshops with guest speakers, often alumni • 1: 1 career sessions • Online resources including career choice questionnaires and CV help • The Lancaster Award …. and extensive support for placements and internships: • placement modules, in schools or in culture, heritage and creative industries • A faculty internship scheme • Placement year (as part of a 4 year degree)

Placement modules • We have two placement modules as part of our English degrees, both in year 3 (although we are planning to move one to year 2): – Culture, Heritage and Creative Industries Placement module – Schools Placement module • Voluntary (unpaid) • Credit-bearing • Around 40 hours spread over either one or two terms

Faculty internship scheme These are short term, paid work experience opportunities in third sector, not for profit and local government settings, and small/medium sized businesses. Students have recently been placed at organisations such as Carcanet Publishing, The Dukes Theatre, The British Red Cross, and The National Trust. Summer Internships usually run for a 4 -8 week period over the vacation and last for around 140 hours. They are not credit bearing. Part-time internships are available all year round and can fit around your academic study. Students develop skills in team work, problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, negotiation and influencing, oral and written communications, and networking.

Placement year (as part of a 4 year degree) • Since 2016 -2017, any of our English and Creative writing degrees can be taken as a 4 year Placement Year option, including all our joint degrees • Paid placements only, involving meaningful work • Extensive support in locating and applying for placements • On-site visit to all UK –based placement students • Credit-bearing: counts 30 credits towards the degree (a year’s worth) • Includes a wraparound module featuring learning logs

Structure of the placement year degree scheme Year 1: Complete FASS 150: Placement Preparation module looking at career motivations, application advice and mock interviews and assessment centres Year 2: Make placement applications and complete FASS 250 -Work Based Learning Preparation module covering management styles, reflective practices and workplace preparation Year 3: out on placement and completing the FASS 350 a- Work Based Learning module submitting regular learning logs. Year 4: Return to Lancaster University and complete the FASS 350 b- Work Based Learning Reflections module to produce a reflective portfolio on your experience Year 1: Placement Preparation Year 2: Apply for Placements and study the Work Based Learning module Year 3: On Placement Year 4: Reflective Portfolio on Placement Experience

Feedback The experience of applying for internship and placement positions, and going through the selection process helps students stand out when applying for graduate level jobs. The support they are given during the application process sharpens self awareness, builds confidence and helps to develop an understanding of strengths and skills.