This project has used the DOTS Framework, developed by Tony Watts, to classify the learning outcomes students need to demonstrate to maximize their career development learning through workplace experiences.

Scroll over the DOTS diagram to see the dynamic interaction between the four elements of careers development learning:

Self awareness

  1. Identify knowledge, abilities and transferable skills developed by one’s degree;
  2. Identify personal skills and how these can be deployed;
  3. Identify one’s interests, values and personality in the context of vocational and life planning;
  4. Identify strengths and weaknesses, and areas requiring further development;
  5. Develop a self-reflective stance to academic work and other activities; and
  6. Synthesise one’s key strengths, goals and motivations into a rounded personal profile.

Opportunity awareness

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of general trends in graduate employment and opportunities for graduates in one’s discipline;
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the requirements of graduate employers; and
  3. Demonstrate research-based knowledge of typical degree-related career options and options in which one is interested

Decision making

  1. Identify the key elements of career decision-making, in the context of life planning;
  2. Relate self-awareness to knowledge of different opportunities;
  3. Evaluate how personal priorities may impact upon future career options;
  4. Devise a short/medium-term career development action plan;
  5. Identify tactics for addressing the role of chance in career development; and
  6. Review changing plans and ideas on an ongoing basis.

Transition learning

  1. Demonstrate understanding of effective opportunity-search strategies;
  2. Apply understanding of recruitment/selection methods to applications;
  3. Demonstrate ability to use relevant vacancy information, including ways of accessing unadvertised vacancies;
  4. Identify challenges and obstacles to success in obtaining suitable opportunities and strategies for addressing them;
  5. Demonstrate capacity to vary self-presentation to meet requirements of specific opportunities; and
  6. Demonstrate ability to present oneself effectively in selection interviews and other selection processes  

(Adapted from Watts, 2006)

More information on Career development Learning and the DOTS model is located in the resources section of this website