Professional Development Module in University: Building a sense of belonging for first-year students

Abstract

Can a professional development module for first-year students help build a sense of belonging with their desired profession? In Munster Technological University (MTU) all first-year students undertake a Creativity, Innovation and Teamwork (CIT) module. For each degree programme, this module is tailored to the needs of its students. The objective of this module for first-year Accounting students is to build key skills, instill a sense of what it is to be accountants and help them envisage their pathways to becoming accountants. This paper introduces the teaching and learning techniques and assessment methods of the CIT module. It also presents Accounting students’ opinions on their professional development from this module. Findings report development of some of the key skills required of accountants in the workplace and increased knowledge of the accounting profession, thus building first-year Accounting students’ sense of belonging to their desired future profession.