Course Title: Undertake career planning

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: EMPL7103C

Course Title: Undertake career planning

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6141 - Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice

Course Contact: Doug Gourlay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944

Course Contact Email: doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

 

 

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills required to plan one’s own career. It includes self-assessment of skills and abilities, investigation of possible career opportunities, developing and implementing a career plan and monitoring progress against the plan.

This unit applies to those working in generalist or specialist roles within the public sector.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently performing complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSPGEN031 Undertake career planning

Element:

1. Conduct self-assessment

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify life and work experiences and current and potential abilities and rank in order of importance.

1.2 Explore personal values and preferences relating to future careers.

1.3 Prepare a personal profile that identifies career related characteristics.

Element:

2. Identify possible career opportunities

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research careers to identify those with continuing longevity, and identify their requirements.

2.2 Identify and explore information sources for indicators, trends and information on potential career opportunities.

2.3 Assess existing and emerging careers and identify their skill, qualification or experience requirements.

2.4 Analyse the nature of the workforce, trends and opportunities and identify associated skill needs.

Element:

3. Develop and implement career plan

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify preferred future career and associated skill requirements and compare with current strengths.

3.2 Analyse gaps to identify those skills that are common to both preferred future career and the organisation’s requirements.

3.3 Establish career goals and develop a career plan that identifies immediate priorities as well as a longer term strategy for gaining experience and skills development.

3.4 Initiate career development activities.

Element:

4. Monitor progress

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Monitor the acquisition of skills and experience and seek feedback on achievement of performance requirements.

4.2 Consider feedback and integrate as necessary into the career plan.

4.3 Monitor the organisation’s requirements and adjust career plan to take account of new information, environment and/or culture.

4.4 Monitor preferred career requirements and progress towards career goals and adjust as required. 

Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.

 

The self-paced activities will be delivered thought various technology platforms and may include your contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.

 

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.


We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

 


Teaching Schedule

This course is one of six (6) courses comprising the “Working in a Legal Environment” (WiLE) segment of this program, the details of which are as follows:

 JUST5751

 Practise in a Legal Environment (PILE)

 EMPL7103C

 Undertake Career Planning

 MKTG7986C

 Use Communication to Build Relationships

 OFFC5196C

 Develop Keyboarding Speed and Accuracy

 JUST5191C

 Produce Complex Legal Documents

 BAFI5204C

 Establish and Maintain a Trust Account


Please refer to the Weekly Schedule and the Assignments tab for more information.

Please note that the weekly schedule is subject to change.

Course Schedule: EMPL7103C Undertake Career Planning, Semester 1, 2020

Week 

Topic

Assessments

PILE

Prepare Complex Legal Docs

Comm. Skills

Keyboarding
Speed and Accuracy

Maintain Trust Accounts

Undertake Career Planning

1

February 10

Practice Firm

 

 

 

 

2

February 17

Practice Firm

Part A - Paralegals Quiz 1.1 due February 21

 

 

  

3

February 24

Practice Firm

 

Part A- Safe Work Practices Quiz due February 28

 

 Draft Resume due February 26

4

March 2

Practice Firm

 

 

Part A Online Quiz 1 due March 6

 

5

March 9

Practice Firm

Part A- Affidavits & Stat Declarations Quiz 1.2 due March 13

Part B-Speed Test 1 due March 13

 

 

6

March 16

Practice Firm

 

Part B- Speed Test 2 due March 20

 

 

7

March 23

Practice Firm

Part A- Closing a File Quiz 1.3 due March 27

 Part B- Speed Test 3 on due March 27

 

 

8

March 30

Practice Firm

Part B - File Work Assessment 2 due April 3

  

Part B - Maintain Trust Accounts Files Assessment 1 due April 3

 

9

April 6

 

Practical Placement

Thursday 1.30-5.00 pm

Practical Placement

 

 

 

 

Mid-Semester Break

10

April 20

Practical Placement

Staff Meeting

Introduce yourself to an employer (Part 1)

 

 

 

 

11

April 27

Practical Placement

Staff Meeting

Introduce yourself to an employer (Part 2)

 

 

 

 

12

May 4

Practical Placement

Staff Meeting

Dealing with difficult clients and colleagues

 

 

 

  

13

May 11

Practical Placement

Staff Meeting

Time Management

Part B - Team Meeting Assessment 3 due May 15 

 

 

 Careers Portfolio due May 15

14

May 18

Practical Placement

Feedback Interviews

Part B - Practical Placement Report Assessment 3 due May 22 or seven days after completion of placement.

 

 

 

15

May 25

Practical Placement

Feedback Interviews

  

 

 

 

16

June 1

Resubmission

Resubmission

 

 

 

 

17

June 8

Grade Entry

Grade Entry

 

 

 

 

The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete this course.  This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

  •  analysing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT)
  •  conducting skills audits and skills gap analyses
  •  developing strategies for the management of one’s own career
  •  managing personal change and planning

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

  •  strategic approach to career planning
  •  self-assessment to identify values and preferences
  •  performance management
  •  career development options
  •  workforce trends
  •  succession planning
  •  changing demographics and workforce skill needs
  •  organisational planning for human resources at a strategic level

Assessment Conditions

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions.

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning effectiveness and final performance in the course.

Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.


Assessment Tasks

Careers Portfolio

Draft Resume due by midnight 26 February 2020

Completed portfolio due by midnight on 15 May 2020

A career portfolio is a collection of documents that reflects your knowledge, skills and abilities. The portfolio can show your strengths in an organised and efficient manner. Your portfolio can be used and adapted for when you apply for a job but it is extremely important to remember when applying for jobs to tailor your application to the specific position.

The career portfolio you will create will focus on an entry level paralegal/legal assistant position. Choose one of the positions descriptions that are located on the WiLE blackboard to be the focus for completing your portfolio.

Your career portfolio will include the following:

Skills List and SWOT Analysis

This section includes a list of skills that you have mastered against the skills required for a paralegal position.

Setting and Reviewing Goals

  • Complete a skills analysis and then create at least 5 goal statements and strategies using SMART criteria to improve your skills or to meet the skills required for the position as a paralegal/legal assistant.
  • Write a 200 word reflection on whether you have accomplished what you set out to do.

Resume

The purpose of the resume is to get you a job interview. A resume should be tailored to the job for which you are interviewing, detailing your accomplishments and experience, and how they relate to the job you are seeking.  Refer to attachment A for resume criteria.

Cover letter

The cover letter should say the things that are not apparent from your resume and addresses the specific job description/advertisement. Choose a job description and tailor your cover letter to that job description. Your cover letter should not exceed more than one page. Refer to attachment B for cover letter criteria.

An ‘Elevator Pitch’ video

An elevator pitch is a short (approximately 60 seconds), concise statement that:

  • Promotes you as a professional (not just a student)
  • Provides a brief introduction about you and your goals
 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on Canvas.

 

Other Information

Submission Requirements

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
  • Each page of your assessment should include a footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers.

 

Resubmissions (VET Programs)

If you are found to be unsuccessful (Not satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

 

Penalties for Late Submission 

Late submissions of assignments without special consideration or extension will automatically be considered a re-submission (see above).

 

Extensions, Special Consideration and Adjustment to Assessments

 

Extensions:

Extensions are available for unforeseen circumstances of a short-term nature.

An application form must be submitted to the school at least one working day before the due date of the assessment.

Extensions can be approved for a maximum of one week (seven calendar days) past the due date for an assessment. (Where students need an extension exceeding one week they must instead apply for special consideration.)

 

Special consideration:

Special consideration is available for unexpected circumstances outside students’ control. These include but are not limited to: unexpected short-term ill health, and unavoidable family, work, cultural or religious commitments.

An application for special consideration is made in advance of an assessment wherever possible but will normally be accepted within five working days after the assessment date

For more information, see the Special Consideration page of the RMIT website.

 

Adjustments to Assessment:

RMIT provides several adjustments to assessment for students experiencing ongoing or long-term circumstances. Find the right one for your circumstances here.

 

Changes to the Assessment Scheme

Where a change to assessment approved by the dean/head of school changes an assessment due date, students will be given at least five working days’ notice of the new due date.

 

Feedback

You can expect to receive marks and feedback on in-course assessment work in time to improve your performance in related assessment tasks later in the course.

 

Academic Integrity and Misconduct

Students demonstrate academic integrity in their assessment practices by:

  • engaging with assessment activities in an honest way;
  • providing accountability for the authorship and originality of work submitted;
  • acknowledging the work of others and the re-use of original work.

Academic misconduct is addressed in accordance with the Student conduct policy

Assessment involving research with human participants, their information or their tissue, or animal subjects is carried out in accordance with the Staff ethics and integrity policy.

For further information see the Academic Integrity website.

 

Review and Appeal

A student may request a review of an assessment result or appeal a final course grade in accordance with the Conduct of assessment and appeals section of the Assessment Processes.

 

Grade Criteria

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

The following grades are available for this course.

Vocational education grades:

CA - Competency Achieved

NYC - Not Yet Competent

DNS - Did Not Submit for assessment

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview