Supporting Student Transitions: The STAR Employability Scholarship Competition Dr Christine McCartney Careers Service, University of Aberdeen

The Students Taking Active Roles (STAR) Award An employability initiative in the co-curriculum Provides a framework to support development of students’ Aberdeen Graduate Attributes Requirements: Have an active role Attend workshops Complete a self-reflective assessment The University of Aberdeen’s Students Taking Active Roles (STAR) Award is an employability initiative, which provides a framework to support development of students’ Aberdeen Graduate Attributes through their participation in societies, clubs and volunteering activities.

The STAR Award & Employability Before STAR Award After STAR Award I understand the importance of the Aberdeen Graduate Attributes in enhancing my employability 2.79 4.36 I am aware of my skills and attributes which make me more employable 3.26 I know how to confidently promote myself to an employer at interview 2.87 4.14 I understand the difference between telling someone what I've done and articulating my development 2.61 4.32 I am aware of the personal development opportunities which are available to me 2.83 4.05 I feel confident about my employability 2.74 3.91 9/10 employers said that they believed STAR Award students were more employable Studies have shown a relationship between engagement in co-curricular activities and enhancing students’ confidence, their career development learning and transition to the workplace.

Enterprise Employability Award An employer sponsored competition Sponsored by Enterprise Holdings Foundation Enhance student awareness of the diverse benefits of the STAR Award To enhance student awareness of the diverse benefits of engaging in STAR, an employer-sponsored competition was launched in spring 2016. STAR Award students were required to creatively showcase their learning and achievements in their co-curricular role.

The Competition Students were encouraged to creatively showcase their learning and skills development through the STAR Award Scholarships were offered as prizes: 1st Prize = £750 2nd Prize = £500 3rd Prize = £250 The achievement would also be recorded on the students’ Enhanced Degree Transcript

Judging Criteria The extent to which the submission markets and raises awareness of the ethos of STAR. The ability to extol to the wider student community the impact of the STAR Award on improving students’ ability to identify, articulate and evidence their skills and attributes development. The capability to showcase how the STAR Award has enhanced student employability. The skill used to capture the student STAR journey in an innovative and engaging way. How would this scholarship aid their employability?

Entries Twelve entries were received Judged by the Careers Service and Enterprise Rent-a-Car staff A scoring system was used against judging criteria Entries were submitted in a variety of formats, including poetry, posters, videos and written reflective pieces. Such diverse content permitted students to demonstrate their wider university learning and professional development.

The Impact 1st prize was a video, which was widely shared: At the Awards Ceremony With staff, students & employers It has strengthened our partnership with the sponsoring organisation Enterprise Rent-a-Car The initiative also provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen our partnership working with the sponsoring organisation Enterprise Rent-a-Car. For example, ERAC offered an exclusive summer internship for STAR Award students.

Impact A record number of students signed up in 2016/17 Enhanced student engagement and active learning in the Award Boosts the CV Funding now secured for two more competitions

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw3IqvdtHY3gLXhLT2ctMFRwVnc/view

Any Questions? Christine McCartney, christine.mccartney@abdn.ac.uk