BA Business Studies: Reflective Journal on Employability and Skills

This reflective journal explores a student's experience in a BA Business Studies program at the University of Suffolk, focusing on personal and professional development. The journal details how the university and specific modules contributed to the student's acquisition of employability and study skills. The student reflects on the importance of understanding concepts rather than rote memorization, and highlights skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and problem-solving gained through coursework, seminars, and projects. The journal also discusses the student's preparation for interviews and career planning, including self-assessment and staying current with industry knowledge. The student references the Gibb's Reflective Cycle to analyze their experiences and plan for future situations. Finally, the journal concludes by emphasizing the university's role in preparing students for professional life and the importance of integrating acquired skills and knowledge into a practical career plan.

Reflective Journal
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Table Of Contents
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………….3
How the university and module contributed in the achievement of employability and study
skills………………………………………………………………………………………...3
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………….5
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………..6
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INTRODUCTION
Reflective journals is a kind of record that has been learnt during the experiences of
students in their life. Students are being asked by their instructor to record learning-related
incidents and sometimes during the process of learning. In this journal the discussion has
been done regarding the achievement of employability and study skills on how the university
and module has contributed in it.
How the university and module contributed in the achievement of employability and study
skills
University and module plays a very important role in achieving the employability and
study skills. When I enter into the University life, there are various kinds of courses which
has been offered by the university. But I have to concentrate on my aim and objective of my
life. So according to my target I have chosen the particular course which helps me in getting
towards pathway of employability. I have chosen the course according to my interest so that
at the time of pressure, I will enjoy my work and also enjoy my study time period also.
Because according to interest there is no need to do the work in a very hard working manner
rather it can be achieved in an effortless manner. When I am studying for my course there are
various kinds of strategies, planning has been explained by the teacher so that student can
achieve maximum marks in their examination. (Bonaccio, and et.al., 2020).With support of
University and teachers I understand that there is no need to recite the things or memorise
the topic. But there is a need to understand the topic and its related concept so that I can
remember it for my life time period. Teachers has also taught us that how to write the answer
in the examination so that it look relevant and in a understanding manner the examiner can
also evaluate it in a proper manner. Answers should be written in such a manner that it should
be to the point, clear and language should be in a understanding manner. These are the skills
which teachers have taught us during the time period of University. These are the basic type
of skills which can be applied in studying any type of course. During the time period of
University I have also learnt some other skills apart from academics which are necessary for
building a professional identity. These include team work, communication skills, networking,
time and self-management and problem-solving skills. These skills I have learnt through
different kinds of professional module and practical activities.
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College has conducted some seminars, conferences and activities through which I have learnt
how to manage the time and with the support of communication classes I have improved my
communication skills. (Thayaparan, and et.al., 2015).The University provide us project in a
team of four to five people where I have learnt the skill regarding the team-work. For
developing us in a technical manner, the university has conducted some classes and
assignments on the online basis through which I have learnt regarding the networking part. I
have also used the communication and information technology which is provided by the
University through which I can evolve various sources of learning and also find innovative
ways for studying. This also enables me for exploring my career on a very large scale in a
positive manner. It has provided me the knowledge regarding my career at the international
level through which I can go for a higher level in terms of financial manner. The University
also conducted some tours where I have learnt that how to handle the un fortune situation and
how to find out solutions for a sudden problem. I have also learnt time management skill
through managing my time-period of all kinds of activities whether it regarding the
academics part or for enjoying the University activities.
The course that I have pursued from the University has the good prospect. So in the final year
when the time period has come for the interview I have prepared myself from every aspect. I
have also developed and update myself with the surrounding happening which means
regarding the current affairs. In this way, I can create a good impression on the interviewer
that I am not only good in academics part but also aware about the surroundings which is
happening in the real world. (Li, Z., 2017). For the purpose of employability I have in built
all those qualities which are required according to the specific profile so that I can easily grab
the job. From the Gibb’s Reflective Cycle, it gives structure to learning from experiences. It
provides a framework for examining experiences and given its cyclic nature lends itself
particularly well to repeated experiences, allowing to learn and plan from things that either
went well or didn’t go well. It covers six stages which includes description of the experience,
feelings and thoughts about the experience, evaluation of the experience both good and bad,
analysis to make sense of the situation, conclusion regarding whatever you have learnt and
action plan for how you would deal with the situations in the future. This model has been
definitely applied in such a manner that where students have experienced different scenarios
when they transformed from their University life to their professional life.
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I have achieved some certificates and trophies when I have worked very well on my skills. I
have performed very well in my communication classes. I have presented the project in a well
mannered way with my team. (Pavliuk, and et.al., 2017). I have used the information and
communication technology in an effective manner in my project so that I can elevate my
project. I have made a plan for my future where I can use my all skills, knowledge and
creativity in any aspect. I have made a plan to start a business which is beneficial for the
society. The idea is that to support weaker sections of people through various ways, in terms
of financial assistance, by giving them education, arranging food facilities for them, efforts
regarding in making them independent and also arrange proper shelter facilities for them so
that they can live their life in a normal manner. In this kind of business all the skills with
respect to the creativity, knowledge and my confidence level helps me in achieving the
objective of my company. Through the support of business I can repeatedly work on my
skills through which I become perfect in this manner and support in my future in the positive
manner.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded that the University has taken efforts for the students to upgrade
the skills of their study pattern and employability aspect. All the kinds of activities which has
been conducted by the university is for the benefit of students so that they can transform
themselves in a professional manner. (Blayone, and et.al., 2017). Before entering into the
professional life it is important that to learn some skills and knowledge which are beneficial
for the up liftment of the personality of an individual. It also needs to understand that to
convert those skills and knowledge into practical life by having a future plan for it. It is very
important to have an understanding regarding the personality of an individual because only
on that basis an individual can choose their career path for it and work hard accordingly for it.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bonaccio, and et.al., 2020. The participation of people with disabilities in the workplace
across the employment cycle: employer concerns and research evidence. Journal of Business
and Psychology, 35(2), pp.135-158.
Thayaparan, and et.al., 2015. Enhancing post-disaster reconstruction capacity through
lifelong learning in higher education. Disaster Prevention and Management.
Li, Z., 2017. Citizenship education ‘goes global’: Extra-curricular learning in an overseas
campus of a British civic university. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 36(6),
pp.662-678.
Pavliuk, and et.al., 2017. Based Training: Methodological Characteristics and Results of the
Analysis of Educational Programs. Social Sciences, 6(4), p.152.
Blayone, and et.al., 2017. Democratizing digital learning: theorizing the fully online learning
community model. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher
Education, 14(1), pp.1-16.
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