Graduate Attributes at the University of Edinburgh
• What are….
Graduate Attributes?
• What’s in it for me?
Graduate Attributes are…
• How would you define Graduate Attributes? What do they mean to you? Discuss in pairs and write down your definition
So, are graduate attributes about…• my ‘soft skills’?• ‘generic’ skills: same for everyone, regardless of the
academic discipline and/or professional sector?• getting a job?• Is it about AFTER I graduate?• Is it something they will teach me?• …time management, organising, planning, essay
writing, teamworking, presenting, etc? I’ve done that before!
The context: The University
• Students: proud and valued members of the student community
• Research-led global university with:• entrepreneurial spirit• sustainable ethics• a strong commitment to equality and diversity• deep local engagement
Wider context
• Is the future predictable?
• ‘To be employed is to be at risk, to be employable is to be secure’
The Art of Building Windmills, Peter Hawkins (1999)
Edinburgh EdGe!
How my thinking impacts myself and the world around me
My unique ‘toolbox’
• Exercising rational enquiry, questioning, searching for and
evaluating information• Thinking critically
• Approaching problems• Celebrating diversity in
disciplines
• Exercising rational enquiry, questioning, searching for and
evaluating information• Thinking critically
• Approaching problems• Celebrating diversity in
disciplines
• Thinking creatively• Managing time, planning, organising, • Being aware of one's learning style,
taking responsibility for own learning• Collaborating, debating, sharing• Being intellectually curious• Being ok with uncertainty
• Thinking creatively• Managing time, planning, organising, • Being aware of one's learning style,
taking responsibility for own learning• Collaborating, debating, sharing• Being intellectually curious• Being ok with uncertainty
Using self-awareness Harnessing an enterprising
mindset Managing risk and change
Working with others Being resilient
Leading and managing
Using self-awareness Harnessing an enterprising
mindset Managing risk and change
Working with others Being resilient
Leading and managing
Listening effectively Adapting communication:
considering purpose and audience
Networking Communicating across
cultures Seeking and giving feedback
Listening effectively Adapting communication:
considering purpose and audience
Networking Communicating across
cultures Seeking and giving feedback
Stand out, adopt the EdGE!
• know and develop your strengths,
• have evidence for your abilities and achievements,
• Be confident about the best way to communicate all of this to potential recruiters
• Stand out as Edinburgh graduate
How?•Reflective learning•Capturing this learning: (e.g. MyEdge PebblePad workbook) •Getting involved (academic life, wider University life, outside of University)•Other?
In other words…
the way I think + my unique tool box = my EdGE
+ =
Back to some questions• Is it about my ‘soft skills’? No! Why?• Is it about ‘generic’ skills: same/similar for
everyone, regardless of the academic discipline or professional sector? No! Why?
• Is it about getting a job? Not only! Why?• Is it about AFTER I graduate? Not really! Why?• Is it something they will teach me? No! Why?• Time management, organising, planning, essay
writing, teamworking, presenting, etc? I’ve done that before! Not this way
Graduate Attributes
• So, how would you define Graduate Attributes?
• Think of at least 3 REAL benefits of developing graduate attributes for:
- your own learning as a university student in your discipline
- your work and/or career- wider society and community
Conclusion?
Over to you
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