LevelUp!
Student Support Initiative Awards 2021 Winner
Goal: Provide HE students on creative courses with practical sector support, workshops, self-directed skills development and mentoring.
Submitted by: Katie Masheter
Project: A partnership between the university and XpoNorth which provides a voice into curriculum, connecting creative minds to help them build their confidence, sense of self, and resilience so they are in a position to fully contribute to the future creative economy.
“I've really enjoyed it so far! I had my 1-2-1 with XpoNorth which resulted in making a connection with industry and then gaining work from that! I think this is an excellent program, such a good opportunity for those of us in the creative industries.”
"Really enjoyed the chats so far, I'm quite optimistic about how helpful this will be as an independent musician with very little experience of the music business side of things!”
Benefit to: HE students on creative courses
Impact: There has been a significant increase in the number of creative students engaging with the Careers and Employability Centre. 90% of students involved in the programme said it gave them a better understanding of the creative industries.
Key message: to bridge academia and industry
- Engage with key industry contacts
- Get to know the ‘gatekeepers’ in the industry
- Access high quality mentoring from sector specialists
- Explore work experience and networking opportunities
- Access resources such as podcasts, videos, and other learning materials
Project delivery
- A series of workshops on building resilience, being fearless, brand and storytelling, starting a business, protecting your creativity, and networking
- 1-2-1s with sector specialists to discuss career ambitions, arranged by XpoNorth
- Meetings with a career advisor to work through a self-directed FutureMe pathway comprising short exercises to explore skills, strengths, values and personality
- Industry specific webinars
- Mentoring opportunities
63 students from 17 creative Programmes | 14 industry contacts | Growing bank of recorded legacy materials, video resources, and podcasts| ‘Ripple effect’ with numerous subsequent and continuing opportunities for those involved | Subject of a Parliamentary motion in September 2020 | Identified skills gaps whilst providing a voice into curriculum development