MA History: Reflective Report on Academic and Employability Skills

This report is a reflective analysis of a student's experiences and skill development during their MA in History program. The report utilizes the Gibbs Model to evaluate the student's learning journey, encompassing descriptions of experiences, feelings, evaluations, and analysis of the course. It highlights the development of critical thinking, written communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the identification of areas for improvement, particularly in oral communication and public speaking. The report also includes a CV and cover letter, showcasing the student's qualifications, experience, and career aspirations, emphasizing their enthusiasm and experience in the museum field. The student outlines an action plan for future professional development, focusing on enhancing communication skills and seeking practical experience. The references section lists books and journals related to employability skills, assessment, and higher education.

Reflective report on
academic and employability
skills

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Gibbs Model of reflection...........................................................................................................3
CV ..............................................................................................................................................5
Cover letter .................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Employability skills can be referred to as those transferable abilities which are required
by an individual for getting the job done. It is considered as an essential skill that involves the
development of knowledge base, expertise level and mindset which is very much crucial in order
to accomplish success at workplace (Gill, 2018). Academic skills can be defined as approaches
which are applied to learning.
In report, Gibss model has been utilized in order to evaluate and analyze the experience gained
during the learning course.
MAIN BODY
Gibbs Model of reflection
Gibbs model is considered to be as one of the most popular model of reflection. It is the
model which is utilized for thinking about the experience. Gibbs model consists of six stages of
reflection which are mentioned below:
Description : As I have interest in working in field of history, after completion of my
undergraduate degree I decided to enroll myself for the MA Degree in history. I have learned
many things by enrolling myself for the PHD. Course. During the MA degree in history, I have
attended classes of different subject, but the class which I found the most interesting is Research
methodologies. I would like to state that research methodology class was much more interesting
than what I have expected. Before attending the class I was completely unaware about research
methods. My ultimate career goal is to complete my MA degree in history. In addition to this, I
want to become like an open minded individual and want to work in the field of history
particularly in museum field (Jackson and Oliver, 2018). By enrolling for the MA in history
course, I intend to analyze the knowledge and skills required by an individual in order to work in
the museum setting. It is basically a museum educational director type Job.
Feelings: During the first day of my class, I felt little nervous as well as exited. Its just a
mixed feeling I had before attending the class. I was eager to know about the topic which will be
taught to us during the MA in history course. I enjoyed the way there has been discussions on the
topics every week. I also felt that the things which I have learned during the MA in history
course was very much helpful in selecting the suitable career path. The theories which has been
taught to use during the classes of history has enable me to think in different ways.

Evaluations: I found overall course very much beneficial as well as helpful. But there
were some topics which were very much dense and I felt difficulty in developing the
understanding about such topics. But few difficult subjects as wells topics and theories has
encouraged me to develop my critical thinking ability. By enrolling myself for the MA in history
course, I was able to generate lots of innovative ideas. The topic which I had enjoyed a lot
include personal research, especially the ones which included the video and music portions,
which were, in my opinion very helpful to grasp the key concepts intended for the class
(Sotiriadou, Daly and Guest, 2019). In addition to this, during the classes, many of the times we
have been asked to chosen the topic which has inspired me to concentrate on lesson learned
during course in the session, I found such type of teaching practices very much effective as it has
assisted me in improving my thinking skills.
Analysis: During the complete course, I enjoyed the group discussions which has
assisted me in increasing my knowledge related to specific field. I have analyzed that the group
discussions which has organized during the course has enabled to develop the people as well as
team making skills. During the last class of course we were asked to write reflection, during I
wrote reflection and I found that I faced difficulty in speaking in public. I also feel difficulty in
expressing my thoughts due to lack of an effective communication skills. I have analyzed that
before attending the class I was unaware about the expectations which I could have related to
course or specific subject. Only fact which I aware about is that enrolling myself in the course
will assist me in becoming a good researcher. I analyses that during the presentation, I felt
myself visibly shaking and was unable to articulate my first sentence coherently.
The skills which I have developed by enrolling myself for the MA in history course are
critical thinking skills. In addition to this, I have developed the potential to look things from
different point of views. By participating in first year of MA in history course, I have improved
my written communication skills. During the last class of the course, I have been asked to
conduct self-assessment in which I found that I forgot the things which has taught me in previous
classes. In addition to this, I also found that I need to have much more concentration on practical
side of history such as museums as well as education rather than theories. After the completion
of first year, we have been asked to prepare the presentations on one topic of our choice. When I
submit the presentation, My tutor has given me feedback that I need to improve my presentation
skills.

By conducting the self-assessment I found that I have skills and Experience which will
add value to my CY these are I am Enthusiastic and museum professional with experience in
development of program. In addition to this, I also have experience in planning of event and
organizing the exhibition. In addition to this, I have wo years experience working as museum
director at museum of world treasures. My profile at existing workplace was to :
 To oversee all educational events
 To coordinate internship programs
 To maintain the relationship with other museum professional working at both domestic
well as international level.
I also have experience working as volunteer intern in museum. My duties as a volunteer
intern was to assist in research and guide the visitors.
I have one year working as supervisor for university. I have completed my education in Bachelor
of science and history from Newman university. I have completed MA in history Internship at a
premier clinic for science research. In addition to this, I have following basic skills these are An
excellent oral and written communication skills, Knowledge about the fundraising for cultural
events, Knowledge about working with museum database as well as IT issues, Self-initiation
and Time management skills. I have also obtained the following certificates these are National
association of interpretations. Certified guide training which has been completed 4 th April
certificate of which is pending. I have also achieved following awards such as Joint conference
scholarship 2016, Bets undergraduate paper award, Excellence in humanities award. I have also
provided community services such as Retreat leaders and programming consultant and Working
with middle schools and supporting the coordinators in development and evaluation of programs
which will assist me in getting the job.I have experience working in museum which will assist
me in performing my roles as well as responsibilities in systematic manner. I earlier worked as a
museum director at museum of world treasures. In addition to this, as a Supervisor in university I
have been assigned with the duty to organize an Alumni event for which I have provided with
the fund of $2.75 M. I successfully maintained a record of donors information. I have shared
such information with you in order to demonstrate my capability to work with diverse staff. In
addition to this, during my internship at a premier clinic of science research, I had successfully
created the data baser for huge umber of patient records. I Posses good self-initiation and time
management skills. While working with small and middle schools, I have assisted coordinators

in organizing the does of educational events. I also have good oral as well as written
communication skills, and problem solving abilities which I perceive that will add value to my
effectiveness as a member of development team.
Conclusion : All I want to state is thanks. I really appreciate all the things which I have
learned during the first year of MA in history course. I also want to say that by participating in
the MA history course, I have successfully developed as well as improved many of the abilities
such as critical think, reading as well as writing, thinking skills. But, still I perceive that there are
few skills which I need to improve these are oral communication as well as analytical skills. I
also found that I was less involved in the group discussion during the class. I also found that I
felt pressurise when I face difficulty in understanding specific concept.
Action plan : After enrolling myself for the other course or working at any organization I
will make sure that I built good relationship with my colleagues. I will attend the personality
development classes for improving my communication skills. I will attend seminars as well as
seek support from my friends in order to improve my presentation skills. If in case I felt nervous
or pressurize anytime, then I will seek assistance from my colleagues or seniors. I will have
much concentration on gaining practical knowledge rather than theoretical. I will engage more
myself in the group discussions, as it will assist me in increasing my knowledge (Stow and
Crawford, 2018.).
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded that development of Employability skill is very much important in
order to get suitable job in desired field. The other fact which has been discovered from the
study is that academics skills are very much crucial for accomplishing success and to achieve
desired career goals. It has been concluded that improvement of academic and employ ability
skills is very much helpful in context of both personal and professional development.
Development of both academic and employability skills can assist an individual in grabbing
employment opportunities. It can also support people in fostering career growth.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Sotiriadou, P.,Daly, A. and Guest, R., 2019. The role of authentic assessment to preserve
academic integrity and promote skill development and employability. Studies in Higher
Education. pp.1-17.
Jackson, T.P. and Oliver, S., 2018. Adaptive Learning Program for Developing Employability
Skills. Journal of Pedagogic Development. 8(1).
Bryan, C. and Clegg, K. eds., 2019. Innovative Assessment in Higher Education: A Handbook
for Academic Practitioners. Routledge.
Gill, R.J., 2018. Building employability skills for higher education students: An Australian
example. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 9(1), pp.84-92.
Tomasson Goodwin, Verkoeyen, S. and Lithgow, K., 2019. Can students be taught to articulate
employability skills?. Education+ Training.
Stow, M. and Crawford, K., 2018. An adaptable model for employability and career
development. HERDSA News. 40(1).pp.18.