Employability Portfolio: Mini-Project Workshops and Skills Development

This portfolio provides a comprehensive overview of employability skills developed through mini-project workshops. It begins with an introduction that discusses the importance of mini-project workshops in enhancing skills and abilities to meet future career goals, emphasizing the development of teamwork, leadership, and decision-making abilities. The main body of the portfolio covers several essential skills, including time and task management, group formation, presentation and communication skills, academic integrity and writing skills, employability skills, CV and cover letter writing, and interview preparation. Each section highlights the importance of these skills for success at university and in future careers. The conclusion summarizes the key takeaways and reinforces the significance of these skills for career success. References to academic sources are included to support the arguments presented.

Portfolio

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
How and why have the mini project workshops contributed towards the development of your
employability?..............................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................2
Time and Task Management Skills..............................................................................................3
Group Formation..........................................................................................................................3
Presentation skills........................................................................................................................4
Communication skills..................................................................................................................4
Academic Integrity.......................................................................................................................5
Academic Writing Skills..............................................................................................................5
Employability skills.....................................................................................................................6
CV Writing...................................................................................................................................6
Cover Letter.................................................................................................................................7
Preparing for the interview..........................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Success at the university level comes when the students are able to implement the
methods and techniques which have been taught to them by their teachers. In this way the
students can make sure that they are able to get good marks in the university and build a good
career for themselves. In this way they can get a good job in the future time period. Thus the
students should make a point to follow the instructions which are given to them by the teachers
as the guidance which is provided by them proves to be crucial in attaining success in life.
How and why have the mini project workshops contributed towards the development of your
employability?
Mini project workshops are very important for all the students as with the help of all of
them they can try to improve tehri skills and abilities that can help them to meet the future goals.
If a person is willing to enhance the employability skills then it is very important to make sure
that that individuals take part in all the mini project workshops. If students who are studying in
university are not able to take part in them then it is not possible for them to develop their
employability.
For example, if a mini project workshop is about working on a team project then it will
help to improve the team working skills. The personal who will be the leader of the whole group
can make improvements in the leadership abilities and develop qualities to lead a team
systematically. When the team working and leadership skills will be developed then it can help a
person to develop employability because while working in an organisation individual may have
to lead a team or work in a group to meet the targets. On the other hand, mini workshops and
projects provide live experience to the students to deal with their own weaknesses so that they
can brush up their skills and make improvements in them (Rowe and Zegwaard, 2017).
Another example for the justification on the contribution of mini project workshops
towards development of employability is experiencing difficulties and dealing with them
collaboratively by formulating effective decisions. When a one-day project which is related to
giving presentation on a contemporary issue will be assigned to all the students in class and they
have to work separately for the same. If an individual is not having good IT or presentation skills
the that student will ask the classmates for help and in this situation, they will help each other
which will help them to improve tehri skills of collaborative working. If students will not help
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each other then it will be very difficult for them to complete their tasks as everyone have some
weaknesses and some strengths. In order to deal with all the threats and weaknesses it is very
important to take help of other so that they can guide to respond them properly (Suleman, 2018).
From the above discussion it has been determined that mini project workshops are very
beneficial for all the students as with the help of them the employability could be developed.
When tasks in the university will be assigned to the students in groups or individually, they will
be required to take help of each other and complete the work. With the help of it, they can
develop different types of qualities such as decision making, team working, leadership,
collaborative working etc. All these qualities can help to perform all the tasks in future that will
be handled by them while working in an organisation. It can also help to get the desired job
which is the dream of an individual.
MAIN BODY
Success
Success is the achievement of a particular task by a person or an organization when it
seeks out to achieve something (Brouwer and et.al., 2016). For achieving success, a person is
required to do hard work. Without hard work success cannot be achieved. In University, our
teachers told us that we can achieve the desired level of success if we are persistent with our
efforts and display a strong commitment to achieve something. They told us to face hardships in
the way of achieving it because these hardships only make a person mentally stronger to face the
bigger challenges ahead. Therefore in this way a person can make sure to achieve success with
the desired commitment. I have to make sure that I display the commitment required in the future
to achieve success.
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Time and Task Management Skills
Time and Task Management Skills are quite important from the point of view of the
students (Danilowicz-Gösele and et.al., 2017). In College, our lecturers told us about the
importance of these skills so that we are able to manage our work accordingly. Thus in the
university I have learnt a lot on these skills and I have decided to make the required
improvements in them so that I am able to devote my time equally to the different tasks. I think
that by acquiring these skills I will be able to attain success in the future time period. Therefore I
need to work on them so that I am able to improve them.
Group Formation
Group Formation is an activity in which 2 or more people are together and form a group
with a specific aim or objective to be achieved in the future time period (Díaz, Montoliu and
Becerra, 2018). In University, our teachers told us about its importance. They told us that by
forming groups we will be able to enhance our level of skills easily and in a group we can learn
so much. By learning all this I am sure that I will be able to form a group with my friends where
all of us can work together to facilitate skill development and thus in this way we will be able to
achieve success in the future time period.
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Presentation skills
Presentation skills are quite useful from the point of view of the students (Eom and
Ashill, 2018). It is not just necessary to do good work but it is equally important to present it
well. Thus in the university, our teachers told us about the importance of presentation skills. If
we are able to use these skills effectively then we will be able to get good marks in our exams.
This will help us in setting up a good career and thus thereby will allow to achieve the desired
success in the future time period.
Communication skills
Communication skills are quite important from the point of view of the students
(Fernandes and et.al., 2017). This is so because communicating effectively helps a lot in sharing
of problems and issues faced and solving them effectively and efficiently. Also through
communication students can learn a lot from each other. In our university, our lecturers have told
us about the importance these skills have for the students if they have to achieve success in the
future time period. Thus I am following the advice which our teachers have provided and this is
helping a lot in making sure that the desired level of success is achieved setting up the growth of
career in the long-run period of time.
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Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity has to be maintained by the students (Münchow and et.al., 2019).
This is because of the university regulations. When we started out in the university, our teachers
told us about its importance. They told us to avoid plagiarism, use of wrong facts, putting of
wrong information and cheating in our assignments. They also told us to try and avoid
paraphrasing also. Thus I have understood that by making use of right techniques and methods I
will be able to bring the required fairness in my work. This will help me a lot in getting the
desired marks.
Academic Writing Skills
Academic Writing Skills are essential for the students if they desire to get good marks
(Salimi, Bekker and Frenken, 2016). When we started out at the university, our teachers told us
about the importance of using the right academic writing skills. In this way we can get good
marks in our assignments. I need to work more on these skills so that I am able to get more
marks in my assignments. This will make sure that I am able to achieve the desired level of
success in the future time period without problems and issues.
Understanding the value of reflection
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Reflection in academic writing means giving an own account of the work which has been
done (Stadler and et.al., 2016). This helps a lot in better understanding of a particular topic with
relative ease. In the university, our teachers have told us about the importance which it has for
the students. Thus following the advice of our teachers I have made sure that I can give a good
reflection on the work done by me. This will help me in developing a good understanding and
thus this will help a lot in achieving the desired goals and objectives. Thus it can help a lot in
achieving the desired success.
Employability skills
These are the skills which are quite helpful for the students who are studying in the
university because they can ensure them a good employment in the future time period. In our
college, the teachers focused on developing these skills effectively and efficiently so that we are
able to get a good job once we graduate out of the college. I need to work on enhancing these
skills so that I am able to secure a well-paying job once I complete my studies in the university.
This will ensure that success is achieved in the future time period and thus a good career is made.
CV Writing
CV is quite important for the students because it helps them in getting the desired job.
This is helpful in the process of getting the right job suitably matching the talent and skills. In
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our university, the teachers put their focus on CV because by making a good CV the students can
make sure that they are able to get a good job in the future time period. Thus I have decided to
put my focus on writing a good CV because in this way I will be able to ensure that I get a good
job in the future time period.
Cover Letter
A Cover Letter is usually attached in the bio-data of a particular candidate (Tinajero and
et.al., 2020). This can make sure that the candidate is able to present the right information in
front of the interviewer easily. In our university, the teachers told us about the importance which
this letter has in making sure that a person can get the desired job in the future time period. Thus
in this way one can make his/her bio-data look presentable by making use of this letter.
Preparing for the interview
Interview is referred as that stage in the job selection process where a candidate's skills,
talent and potential is judged by the interviewer. Thus it is crucial for the candidates as well as
the companies. To prepare for the interview, a right approach is required from the students who
are studying at the university. In our college, teachers told us that the interview process is quite
important for us to get a good job. Therefore I have decided to use the right skills so that I am
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able to present myself in the right manner in the interview and leave a good impression on the
interviewer so that I can get a good job.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that with the skills developed in the university
a student will be able to attain success in the future time period. For this it is needed that the
students pay attention to the teachers and listen to them carefully. If they follow their advice and
work on what is being taught to them then they will definitely get the success which they desire
in the future time period.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Brouwer, J. and et.al., 2016. The impact of social capital on self-efficacy and study success
among first-year university students. Learning and Individual Differences. 52. pp.109-
118.
Danilowicz-Gösele, K. and et.al., 2017. Determinants of students' success at
university. Education economics. 25(5). pp.513-532.
Díaz, J. C. T., Montoliu, J. M. D. and Becerra, M. H., 2018. Plagiarism, internet and academic
success at the university. NAER: Journal of New Approaches in Educational
Research. 7(2). pp.98-104.
Eom, S. B. and Ashill, N. J., 2018. A system's view of e‐learning success model. Decision
Sciences Journal of Innovative Education. 16(1). pp.42-76.
Fernandes, G. and et.al., 2017. A Method for Measuring the Success of Collaborative University-
Industry R&D Funded Contracts. Procedia computer science. 121. pp.451-460.
Münchow, H. and et.al., 2019. The ability to evaluate arguments in scientific texts:
Measurement, cognitive processes, nomological network, and relevance for academic
success at the university. British Journal of Educational Psychology. 89(3). pp.501-523.
Salimi, N., Bekkers, R. and Frenken, K., 2016. Success factors in university–industry PhD
projects. Science and Public Policy. 43(6). pp.812-830.
Stadler, M. J. and et.al., 2016. The complex route to success: complex problem-solving skills in
the prediction of university success. Higher Education Research & Development. 35(2).
pp.365-379.
Tinajero, C. and et.al., 2020. Perceived social support as a predictor of academic success in
Spanish university students. Anales De Psicología/Annals of Psychology. 36(1). pp.134-
142.
Rowe, A. D. and Zegwaard, K. E., 2017. Developing graduate employability skills and
attributes: Curriculum enhancement through work-integrated learning.
Suleman, F., 2018. The employability skills of higher education graduates: insights into
conceptual frameworks and methodological options. Higher Education. 76(2). pp.263-
278.
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