www.herts.ac.uk

Austen RainerSchool of Computer Science

Marija CubricBusiness School

Embedding employability early in the programme – lessons learned from the ITMB degree programme

Aim of the presentation

Reflect upon:

our experience as programme tutors from the first year of offering the ITMB programme, with particular focus on embedding employability early in the programme, and

our experience of the direct involvement of IBM in our teaching activities.

the collaborative leadership of the programme, based on mutual respect and focus on students’ experience; and

Overview to the degree programmeThe ITMB programme is a new undergraduate programme, developed collaboratively by Business School and School of Computer Science in conjunction with e-Skills UK.

– e-Skills the national Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology, is working on behalf of employers to develop the software, internet, IT services and business change expertise necessary to thrive in today’s global digital economy.

It is the first IT undergraduate degree to be designed by some of the largest employers in the industry to provide graduates with the specific skills that the employers believe are essential.

We are proud to support the e-skills UK endorsed ITMB Degree (Information Technology Management for Business)

Employability – learning objectives

The learning objectives put equal emphasis on the three subject areas (business, project management and computer science) as to the development of professional skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, effective presentations etc.

The programme’s learning objectives are defined by the major players in IT industry, such as IBM, CISCO, HP etc. and maintained by e-skills

The ITMB specification (learning objectives) is continuously revised.

Programme endorsement by e-skills UK required in addition to programme validation.Programme re-endorsed every 3 years, based on the latest ITMB specification.

UH acts as a ‘provider’ of the ITMB specification (one of 14 UK HEIs).

Generic employability activities:Guru lectures

Fortnightly ‘Guru lectures’ (12 per year)

One hour lectures from domain experts broadcasted (live) from a host University to the other ITMB universities

Live lectures enable direct access to industry experts and provide students with a chance to learn directly form them, ask questions, and be part of the UK-wide ITMB community

All previous lectures archived and available via e-skills community site

Generic employability activities:Networking eventsTwo national ITMB events: November (North) and March (South)

Students from all ITMB universities attend

Presentations from industry leaders

Workshops for students from industry experts

Networking with industry leaders (e.g. this year Shell, P&G, IBM, CA etc.)

Student team competitions & direct feedback from industry experts

Example team competition

UH specific employability activities:extra IBM involvement

Initiated by UH IBM Alumni …

Nov 2011 IBM mentors for group projectsSupport for an assessment

Dec 2011 IBM feedback on group presentations

Jan 2012 Visit to IBM graduate assessment centre (mock assessment day)

May 2012 Visit to IBM career centre (CV writing workshop)

Generic employability activities:Placements & internships

Placement opportunities advertised by e-skills (specifically aimed at ITMB students)

Placement highly encouraged as an opportunity to learn what you want to do, but also, what you do not want to do in future

3 UH students applied for summer internships through South Competition events

ITMB employability spectrum (excl. summer placement)

___________* In the order of decreasing students’ engagement & satisfaction

Time spent on related activities

UH students’ engagement, satisfaction and performanceAttendance/engagement at these events, and comments from student•All students said that they intended to attend the IBM Assessment Day

• ~ 50% did attend•Three students have applied for summer internships•One student is trying to set up a commercial opportunity•High level of satisfaction with the ITMB South Event

• One team entered the first year competition• Positive feedback from IBM and from e-Skills

•Different student behaviours, for example: 25% very keen, 55% okay, 20% not engaging•Performance: pass rate 70%; for these average numeric grade 60 (Semester A only)

Lessons Learned

• Getting the balance right between academic, taught sessions and voluntary sessions

• Barriers to participation– e.g. cost to travel to London, knowing where to go, other

commitments– e.g. two – three days of effort to successfully complete

the IBM recruitment and selection process• Group effect e.g. students encourage positive and negative

behaviour in other students

Collaborative leadership - principles

Articulating the programme vision, boundaries, and team roles (Highsmith, 2004)

Encouraging interaction and information flow between teams (Highsmith, 2004), open information (Augustin, 2005), total transparency and trust (Pixton 2006)

Foster Alignment and Cooperation (Augustin, 2005)

Simple Rules (focus on students’ experience) (Augustin, 2005)

Facilitating participatory decision making (Highsmith, 2004)

Insisting on accountability (Highsmith, 2004)

Collaborative leadership – practices

Collaborative planning and decision making –Via regular meetings (skype or F2F)

Collaborative teaching – Every year, one long modules, with teaching contributions from

both schools

Collaborative projects -E.g. This conference, HEA collaborative bid, BMAF workshop on

agile etc.

www.herts.ac.uk

Austen Rainera.w.rainer@herts.ac.uk

Marija Cubricm.cubric@herts.ac.uk

Any questions?