A presentation from the STEM Annual Conference 2014.
Within the Faculty of Technology at De Montfort University four extra-curricular Clubs offer students greater opportunities to develop their skills get hands on with equipment add to their CVs and show reels and gain ‘real world’ experience.
The ‘Electronics Club’ ‘Media Club’ ‘Robot Club’ and ‘Formula Student’ operate alongside curriculum offerings beyond the Students’ Union and share some common goals. Each club was individually established to offer students additional opportunities to learn about their discipline in an applied practical manner. The Clubs run face-to-face and online and attract students who want to add to their portfolio represent the University use their knowledge and skills to enter competitions and enhance their chances when entering the graduate job market.
Students engaging in these activities cite a number of reasons including skill development peer learning wider recognition of their achievements and an enhanced sense of belonging to the Programme Faculty and University. Across the Faculty students have a range of learning and disability support needs and these Clubs offer everyone the opportunity to get involved and contribute not just for their own development but to that of others often in pursuit of a shared goal such as the Formula Student racing car or the Robot Club annual trip to an international competition.
This research explores the initial aims and objectives of each club student engagement and the impact on employability. The author established the ‘Media Club’ and recognises the difference it is making to student academic achievement and graduate employment.
