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Higher Education Interview Advice
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I've managed to get an interview for a job that I really, really want working at a University. However, the interview sounds like it will be really difficult and involves doing a presentation and devising an activity.
I plan to do loads of research, but also wondering if anyone on here can help please. It really would be much appreciated as this is basically my dream job.
I have to give a 10 minute presentation on:
'What do you see as the main challenges for recruitment in Higher Education today?'
I have some ideas around this about the increased tuition fees, contact hours and perceptions of value for money. I very much welcome additional suggestions though!
The other thing is:
'Devise a 15 minute activity which will engage a group of Year 9 pupils (max. of 10 in the group and all girls) and raise their awareness of the benefits of Higher Education. This activity can be a presentation, a talk, a group activity, a question and answer session, a game – or anything else you may consider appropriate. The session will be video-taped and viewed by the selection panel only.'
I really need some good ideas for the activity please as struggling at the moment!! I would appreciate it so much if the good people on DS can help me.
I plan to do loads of research, but also wondering if anyone on here can help please. It really would be much appreciated as this is basically my dream job.
I have to give a 10 minute presentation on:
'What do you see as the main challenges for recruitment in Higher Education today?'
I have some ideas around this about the increased tuition fees, contact hours and perceptions of value for money. I very much welcome additional suggestions though!
The other thing is:
'Devise a 15 minute activity which will engage a group of Year 9 pupils (max. of 10 in the group and all girls) and raise their awareness of the benefits of Higher Education. This activity can be a presentation, a talk, a group activity, a question and answer session, a game – or anything else you may consider appropriate. The session will be video-taped and viewed by the selection panel only.'
I really need some good ideas for the activity please as struggling at the moment!! I would appreciate it so much if the good people on DS can help me.
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Maybe that's all a bit juvenile - I'm qualified in lower primary:o
I'll still welcome any other suggestions on both the presentation and the activity so I've got a few ideas to work with!
They would work in groups and need to decide on the message, the content, their audience, plan of action etc...
Will maybe have to devise more than one activity and practice them to see how they pan out! This is absolutely the hardest interview I've ever had!
Glad you can see some potential. I wouldn't be looking at kids shows though - year 9 kids are 13/14 ..........I'd look at shows that are popular with young adults.
Yes, they only have to plan it - it's more to get them thinking. - 12 mins discussing & planning, charting ideas, 3 min presentation of their idea (unless you split into groups, would have to shave a bit off the planning).
Yeah that's true Lozenger, there's only 10 of them anyway so could just have them working together. Will just need to practice timings.
You've both given me a lot to think about, appreciated!
Would still be grateful for anyone else's suggestions too as would be great to have a few to try out.
Ooooooh I'm getting pretty excited - will there be a buzzer round? Fastest finger first? The dove from above and scores on the doors and all that?:D
Ha ha, a buzzer round would be awesome but not sure how I'd work that in reality! What's going around my head most at the moment is an 8 out 10 Cats type thing with statistics, but also linked in to them thinking about and matching their options. But I'm not funny at all so might fall flat and be boring
Nothing clear yet and got loads of work to do but my brain is ticking over!
Little Nell the job is Schools & Colleges Liaison so will involve working with schools and colleges to promote HE and introduce students to progression routes.
What type of university is it - pre -1992 or post?
It's pre 1992, so has always been a university, not a previous polytechnic
Challenges for recruitment - you may want to include something about potential students' views on the debt they'll incur and how to persuade them it's worthwhile, especially if they haven't got well-off parents. And how to make links with your particular university as opposed to other local ones?
The group task - yr 9 pupils will be about to choose their GCSEs which is pretty significant for their future career / HE options. I noticed the task is for a group of girls so you need to focus on this when looking at the benefits of HE. What are the barriers for girls in particular and how can you use this in devising an activity?
Finally, if I were involved in your interview I'd expect the activity you come up with to be underpinned by a sound knowledge of the curriculum, and possibly current teaching methods as well since in the job, any liaison activities with school pupils will probably need this awareness. Can you pick someone's brains about this? The activity is only a 15 minute one so you need to hit the ground running. You need something that will interest them but that will also meet the requirements you've been given.
Sorry, this is all probably a bit obvious - hope it helps. Good luck
I understand why they are asking for this level of stuff at the interview but just so scared that I can't live up to it!
Can you use a quiz of what mixes will get to interesting careers, for example one I tried to promote....if you are good at chemistry and art, - an unusual mix- then special effects is a good career path.
In terms of HE, one of the biggest issues, is how to get pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider HE.
Excellent point about pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds - saying Yr 9 pupils (all girls) is one thing but being clear about what their backgrounds might be is another. Maybe you need to decide, and make it clear somehow.
When I have taken yr9's to a uni visit the things that impressed them the most were speaking to existing students and seeing the halls of residence so my activity would be a tour around campus, perhaps if you want it interactive make it a treasure hunt or fact finding mission.
In terms of the activity how about looking at the current local job market in the area you live and looking at the industries that are growing and have demand and then at what college and uni courses they could do to get into those growing markets.