LEVEL 1 & 2
finding your way
The purpose of CPD in years 1 & 2 is to help you build a range of skills to prepare you for life after university.
The skills you need fall into 3 main streams: Employability; IT & Professional Skills; Academic & Personal Skills
HOW TO EARN YOUR 100 CPD POINTS
Every 2nd year student needs a CV and a LinkedIn profile, so these must be present in your e-portfolio (20 CPD points).
You must also register with Talent Connect to enable you to access their services and support (5 CPD points)
For the remaining 75 CPD points, we would like you to choose at least 2 CPD activities from the other 220SAM streams. These can be online activities or optional activities such as work experience, volunteering or society membership.
In addition to the suggestions below, you can also search the online activities catalogue for relevant opportunities, review the upcoming events, or search elsewhere for external activities.
Remember that you can find out how many CPD points you can claim for external activities on the FAQs page.
CPD PATHWAYS / STREAMS
ACADEMIC & PERSONAL SKILLS
Developing academic & personal skills will help you to become a more efficient learner whilst at university and will also ensure you are well-equipped with transferrable skills and the right mindset for life after university.
Core academic skills include academic writing, presentation skills, and referencing, all of which underpin higher level skills such as critical thinking and reflective practice.
Personal skills are often referred to as ‘soft skills’ and are increasingly important to employers. Desirable personal skills include adaptability, problem-solving, resilience and motivation, all of which are often linked to our mental health and wellbeing.
IT & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Basic IT skills are essential in almost every workplace and you will be expected to be proficient in word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software at a minimum. Some roles may also require more advanced skills such as data analysis or programming so it is important to research your chosen career path and ensure you are developing the right skills.
Professional skills are the specific proficiencies needed for a role. They might be taught in school, at university or on the job. Identifying the likely skills you will need for your chosen post-graduation destination will help you get a head start on developing them.
EMPLOYABILITY
Employability is the set of skills, behaviours, knowledge and attitudes that help you to get a job and move between jobs.
