SGDP and the Sheffield Graduate Award
Sheffield Graduate Development Programme (SGDP)
Personal Development Planning (PDP) refers to ‘a structured and supported process by which individuals reflect upon their achievements and goals, and plan their own personal development’. PDP was introduced in 2005 and re launched in 2010 as The Sheffield Graduate Development Programme (SGDP), with the aim of supporting academic departments to encourage their students to gain the skills and attributes of the Sheffield graduate. These skills and attributes can be achieved through a combination of academic study and extra- curricular activities.
Sheffield graduate attributes
Find out more about the attributes of the Sheffield graduate.
The SGDP provides a flexible framework to ensure that all students have the opportunity to;
- Identify gaps in their study habits or approaches to assessment that it would be beneficial to improve upon
- Identify opportunities for learning or developing skills outside their course of study
- Develop transferable skills that employers value and want graduates to have
- Provide evidence and examples of the skills and attributes of the Sheffield graduate that will be useful when making job applications
- Provide information that will assist staff in writing references in support of job applications
The Sheffield Graduate Award
The graduate employment market is extremely competitive and employers are looking to recruit graduates who can provide real examples and evidence of their skills. The Sheffield Graduate Award provides this recognition and rewards the valuable skills and experience gained through activities undertaken outside students’ course of study. It is open to all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. All activities eligible for the Award are allocated into sections (i) enterprise (ii) student Jobs and work experience (iii) volunteering (iv) cultural and social (v) internationalisation (vi) the university and its community. Students are encouraged to take part in a broad range of activities, for example, volunteering, work experience, mentoring, learning a language, ambassadorial work, sports, clubs and societies amongst many others.
Once students have registered their interest in the Award, they are invited to attend an induction session, carry out a minimum of 150 hours activities in four out of six areas and submit a reflective portfolio in their final year. The assessment of the portfolio is based upon students’ ability to demonstrate and evidence some of the Sheffield graduate attributes they have developed through their activities. Students who are successful in gaining the Award receive notification on their student record and a certificate upon graduation.