2000 words (+ or – 10%, not including reference list)
Must use at least 15 sources added to reference list
Please check attached for the rubric and additional instructions
Research and report on career / employment opportunities in one (1) industry, field, or role that you are interested in: pick between Front End Software Engineer, Data Scientist OR Digital Marketing Specialist (whichever is easier for sources/essay). You can decide whether to focus on the role globally, or within a specific region or area (does not have to be Australian only). You do not have to focus on a role/industry related to your degree or that you are currently studying toward.
Your research will focus on identifying and analysing key information about the industry/field/or role across 4 main elements:
Size and scale of industry / field / role: eg. the number of people employed, demographics of the industry; where jobs are located; where jobs are advertised, how recruitment works. If you are looking at a field then you can identify some niches within the larger field; if looking at a specific role then you could note some similar or comparable roles as backups.
Analysis of any factors or trends that may affect size or nature of employment in the field/role in the future, eg. automation and technology; ageing population; off-shoring; globalisation or localisation; climate change, political movements, health and environment; government employment or industry initiatives.
Role information: if you are focused on a field or industry you can identify the range of different roles and if focused on one role in particular, the requirements of the role. (eg. skills or qualifications required, personality and culture of the work environment; individual or team focused?; tasks, entry points, pathways, progression opportunities, and more).
Challenges for the individual (not the industry as a whole, though there may be some overlap with factors or trends discussion): what are some of the challenging aspects of the role (eg. long hours, low work-life balance; competitive environment, stressful situations; repetitive or unchallenging tasks; unstable; inconsistent or casualised work) that a new entrant should be prepared for.
Sources: You will be expected to draw on a range of sources to conduct your research: government and industry publications and websites; statistical information eg (ABS); employment market information (eg. sites such as Seek, Careerone, Glassdoor, linkedin); academic journals and books; career development literature and theory.
Information interviewing: as an additional, or main focus for your opportunity research you could also choose to conduct and report on an interview that you conduct with a person working in the field you have chosen to analyse. Information interviews are particularly valuable for gathering information about roles and challenges. This is optional – students who are not able to organise a suitable interview will not be penalised.
Presentation: Your report (word doc or pdf) will follow standard report formatting – including an introduction outlining the focus and scope of your report and any main findings; a conclusion / recommendations section outlining main findings and making recommendations on how a graduate or prospective entrant to the field could make use of the information provided; and references.
Tables, graphs or figures can be used in the report. All must be clearly labelled and source of data / or table must be identified.
Download document template & cover sheet for the report (includes suggestions – mininum requirements for font/headings/paragraphs/references and a copy of the marking rubric.)
