Springboard Programme - for Female Undergraduates



"Springboard gave me enduringly useful tools for thinking through what I wanted to do and why, with the motivation and ‘permisssion’ to spend time on such questions.  

It was also great fun, and I met a lot of terrific women from across the University in the constructive atmosphere which pervaded the workshop days. I’m still astonished at how useful it was to talk to comparative strangers about my dilemmas."  Professor Angela McLean FRS


Based on the award-winning Springboard programme for professional women, this unique version for Oxford undergraduates has been made possible thanks to generous sponsorship by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The programme is being led by the Careers Service which wants to ensure female undergraduates are equipped for their career after graduation – be it in academia, business or the third sector.

What is Springboard?

The Springboard Women’s Development Program enables women to take more control over their own lives by helping participants identify the clear, practical and realistic steps that they want to take and develop the skills and confidence to take them. Evidence suggests that women are less likely than men to take this structured approach. The format is tried and tested and has an impeccable track record in an extraordinarily wide range of situations. 

The ingredients are: 

  • Three one-day workshops
  • A personal workbook
  • Guest speakers from a wide variety of organisations
  • Access to an exclusive network of Springboard trained undergraduates

Topics covered

  • Self-assessment – personal values, skills, interests, relationships, learning styles, resources 
  • Where we are now – in the world, in our lives, in our education/career, in relation to other people
  • Time management, prioritising according to needs and values, goal setting
  • Dealing with change, dealing with feelings, dealing with stress
  • Listening, clear communication, assertive behaviour
  • Putting yourself across positively, creating a positive image, CV writing
  • Planning your future with confidence and flexibility


How will students benefit?

The all-new Springboard program for undergraduates will encourage:
  • A positive attitude based on openness to experience and the ability to learn from it
  • Increased awareness of their place as women in society and the world around them 
  • Taking initiative when making decisions in lives, careers and academic work
  • Planning activities using goal-setting based on personal values
  • Improving confidence and assertiveness as women
  • Self-assessing own resources, qualities and skills, and how to represent themselves positively
  • Promoting the formation of networks for support, encouragement and fun


When will it run? How much time will it take?

The program runs twice a year, in 0th week of Trinity and 9th week of Michaelmas terms.

There are 3 consecutive full days training – held in the Careers Service offices – plus a ½ day follow-up a few weeks later.  There is some preparatory reading.

We will have a reception the night before each program launches and a celebratory award presentation at the end of the course.


Other benefits – work experience opportunities

Women from major corporate organisations, including RBS, will be taking part in the program to describe their experiences; in addition, each participating organization will be offering a limited number of work experience weeks exclusively to the students on the course.

Who should apply?

The program is open to undergraduate female students at Oxford University. There are two programs each year
  • Summer course (0th wk of Trinity)
  • Winter course (9th wk of Michaelmas)

Many women in Oxford have already benefited from Springboard training: they include Tutors, Supervisors, Researchers, Post-Doctoral students; undergraduates wondering if they would benefit from the course are encouraged to discuss it with their tutor. Careers Advisers are also ideally placed to discuss it and students can drop in or book for a confidential 1:1 meeting with a Careers Adviser.

In addition, the Careers Service will be running lunchtime presentations on the Springboard program – watch the weekly newsletter for details.

Applications

We welcome applications from students in all subject areas; to create a rich and productive mix of participants, we aim to select roughly proportionate numbers from each of the four Divisions (eg, Humanities, Social Sciences, Medical Sciences and MPLS). All subjects are welcome.

How much does it cost?


Thanks to generous sponsorship and support, the course is free to participants. As places are limited to 50, we do ask for a £50 deposit returnable on completion of the course.

How to apply?


Application will be through CareerConnect – vacancy number 42086.  Applicants will need to submit a CV and a 300 word essay. Applications close about a month before the course starts; successful candidates will be informed within a week of the closing date. All details are on the vacancy information.

Page last edited: 01 March 2012

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