In the ‘Acquire ’ section you will find opportunities with a sustainable focus to grow your knowledge. There are many possibilities to help you build hours in this area and we would recommend that you search around to find activity for the award. To get you started though, we have highlighted a few ideas below:
Careers workshops
The University of Reading Careers service have an extensive central events programme which ranges from developmental workshops to career advice sessions and recruitment events, with a number of them having a link to sustainability, for example 'Explore environmental careers'. You will be able to find Careers workshops on MyJobsOnline (via the 'Events' tab).
Completing courses
There are many exciting learning opportunities online, and as part of being a student at the University of Reading you have access to many free courses via platforms such as FutureLearn and LinkedIn Learning (all Reading students get free access). Below are some example courses we have seen which you may be interested in completing.
- FutureLearn: Planet Partners: tackling the climate crisis together
- FutureLearn: Come rain or shine: understanding the weather
- FutureLearn: From waste to value: how to tackle food waste
- FutureLearn: How do farmers produce food sustainably
- FutureLearn: Systems Thinking: to Tackle the Climate and Biodiversity Crisis
- LinkedIn Learning: Green Jobs for Sustainable Careers
- LinkedIn Learning: Learning Design for Sustainability
- LinkedIn Learning (Learning path) Improve Your Sustainability Skills
- UN SDG Learn: Various courses linked to the UN SDG
Thrive mentoring – if the mentor has a sustainable link
Thrive is the University of Reading’s award-winning career mentoring scheme, exclusive for second year undergraduates and taught postgraduate students in select departments. Getting involved provides you with support, collaboration, and guidance with a successful professional. With mentor and mentee meeting for a minimum of 1 hour per month, typically for 3 – 9 months, but sometimes less. This will count for your activity hours if your mentor has a sustainable link which you utilise within your sessions.
Other activities could include...
Other activities could include attending workshops, conferences or webinars, either hosted by the University, Reading Students’ Union or beyond. This is not an exhaustive list and we encourage you to think of opportunities you are interested in. If you would like to confirm your potential learning opportunity is eligible to complete this award please do contact the RED team.
Once you have completed your activity you will be able to keep track of what you have done by submitting an entry within your ‘Pathway’ on MyJobsOnline. At this point you will also be asked to map your ‘Acquire’ activity alongside the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals to reinforce your understanding and learning. For more information, take a look at Get Started.