Wow, where did those two years go?

Today my role as CEL Theme for Employability and Work-based Learning regrettably comes to an end. I have had a wonderful time working with and being supported by an amazing, inspirational and ever growing CEL Team. The energy and enthusiasm that oozes from the very heart of CEL has, at times, been exhausting but at best, provided loads of laughter and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

So, what have I been doing with my Theme Leader hat on? Well, when first in role, I was out and about visiting colleagues in faculties and departments across BU, ‘spreading the word’ about CEL and trying to encourage others to engage with CEL activities and research. I also spent time with colleagues from a variety of other departments, exploring and sharing best practice in relation to the employability of our students. My main aim was to identify ways to further develop and enhance the students’ skill sets and to collaboratively work towards the requirements of TEF.

In 2016 and 2017 I was responsible for winning two funding bids for FoL events which were open to the public. The two events were: ‘Education Matters’ and ‘Suite of Innovation’ respectively. I organised, coordinated and delivered these highly successful events with the amazing CEL team.

In 2015, 2016 and 2017 I contributed to the CELebrate conferences in various ways: Poster Presentations, Delivering Workshops and facilitating, attending and Chairing events. With the help of colleagues across BU, I have provided a series of employability research-focused seminars, delivered a range of workshops, and provided some mentoring and guidance to a number of colleagues relating to CEL Funding Applications. There are of course a plethora of other activities and outputs I have been involved in, but perhaps too many to mention here.

My main achievement to date has been the development and successful piloting of the CPD Employability and WBL Masterclass and contributing to the validation of the new programme. The Masterclass will be running again this academic year and I am really looking forward to developing the unit further … hopefully we can have another cake decorating session Susanne if you are feeling ‘kind’ : )

Cake decorating during the CPD Employability Masterclass

With the imminent launch of an Employability Special Interest group (SIG), I will be working further with colleagues across BU to ensure we are addressing the needs of employers and in particular their expectations of our graduates’ capabilities when they enter the workplace. I am sure the SIG will open up opportunities for further collaboration and research across the university so watch this space …

I will end this blog post not by bidding you farewell (as I will continue to work with CEL and remain passionate about employability) but by thanking each and every one of you (you know who you are) for supporting me and making my role so enjoyable over the past two years – thank you.