University of Technology Sydney

31016 Career Management for IT Professionals

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Professional Practice and Leadership
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Description

This subject aims to prepare IT students for their first IT role or internship, to effectively market themselves to employers and apply professional skills and behaviours sought in the workplace. The subject initially focuses on the skills required to be competitive job seekers, an understanding of how to develop effective targeted job applications, and how to perform well in an interview. It then prepares students for professional practice through discussion of topics such as Australian workplace culture, time and resource management, and health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Identify and reflect on project management strategies in the IT industry. (D.1)
2. Reflect on the effectiveness of, and apply interpersonal skills in team work. (F.1)
3. Apply self-marketing strategies for job applications and interviews. (F.1)
4. Reflect on personal capabilities, professional behaviours and skills required to be successful in an IT career. (F.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
  • Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject employs a flipped classroom strategy where students are expected to complete prework before each class which inform the activities they will undertake in class. This strategy allows for class time to be used for activities and discussion rather than lecturing. Students are expected to read the allocated preparation material and any additional identified readings before each class as well as watch any identified related videos. The class will include interactive activities related to the job application process, job interview process and workplace skills.

This subject contains a group work task to continue the development of team work skills and knowledge and experience in industry project management techniques and tools. Teams will be formed in Week 4 and will work together throughout the semester to complete a project.

An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During the course of this subject, you will complete milestone assessment tasks that will assess the level of your academic and professional language, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives.

Content (topics)

  • Job search strategies
  • Preparing cover letters and resumes for job applications
  • Introduction to the Diploma of IT Professional Practice
  • Time management
  • Working in teams
  • Reflections
  • Health and Wellbeing in the workplace (and uni)
  • Interview skills
  • Culture and diversity in the workplace
  • Building and maintaining a professional network

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Job Application

Intent:

To prepare students to apply for IT roles.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

F.1

Type: Portfolio
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 25%
Length:

3-5 pages

Assessment task 2: Video Interview

Intent:

To prepare students for a job interview.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

F.1

Type: Reflection
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 25%

Assessment task 3: Working in Teams

Intent:

For students to become technically proficient in an industry-standard project management software and methodology.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1 and F.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%

Assessment task 4: Individual Reflection

Intent:

To reflect on a topic or experience from the subject which was particularly formative to their understanding of the IT industry.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Reflection
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 15%

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Academic and professional communication: It is a requirement of this subject that you complete Assessment tasks 1, 2 and 4 so we can accurately assess your current level of academic and professional communication. Should you receive an unsatisfactory language level, you may be required to complete further language support after the completion of this subject.