Lesson Plan
Course Title: Principles of Architecture and Construction
Session Title: Professionalism: Networking-Communicating with Others to Enhance
Communication Skills
Performance Objective:
After completing this lesson the student will understand the importance of professional
networking and develop a strategy for building a professional network.
Specific Objectives:
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The student will listen to and speak with a variety of individuals to enhance
communications skills.
The student will speak succinctly and clearly to convey information.
The student will speak so that others can understand and carry out information
presented.
The student will perform verbal instructions.
The student will listen attentively to spoken messages to respond to information.
The student will understand the importance of professional networking.
The student will become involved with professional student organizations associated
with architecture.
TERMS
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network-associate and develop beneficial relationships with professionals in their chosen
career fields
mentor-individual who acts as a role model and provides training and advice
internship-experience that gives students hands-on experience at real work sites to help
them determine their future careers
job shadowing-a work-based learning opportunity in which you explore a job by spending
a workday observing and assisting an experienced worker
time management-involves planning to complete all tasks by using time efficiently
research-an organized way of exploring what is known about a subject
power networking-involves continually building a network of relationships with people
who can help propel your career
job security-assurance of keeping a job as a reward for being a dedicated, productive
worker
seniority-having advantages based on length of service with a company
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the
activities may result in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
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130.42 (c)(8)(A)
…speak succinctly and clearly to convey information…
130.42 (c)(8)(B)
…speak so that others can understand and carry out information presented…
130.42 (c)(8)(C)
…provide verbal instructions…
130.42 (c)(8)(D)
…listen attentively to spoken messages to respond to information…
Interdisciplinary Correlations:
English:
110.31 (c)(21)(B)
… organize information gathered from multiple sources to create a variety of graphics and
forms…
110.31 (c)(22)(B)
…evaluate the relevance of information to the topic and determine the reliability, validity, and
accuracy of sources (including Internet sources) by examining their authority and objectivity…
110.31 (c)(23)(C)
… use graphics and illustrations to help explain concepts where appropriate
110.31 (c)(23)(D)
… use a variety of evaluative tools (e.g., self-made rubrics, peer reviews, teacher and expert
evaluations) to examine the quality of the research…
Teacher Preparation:
Teacher will review the terms in the outline, PowerPoint and handouts to become familiar with
lesson.
Teacher should locate and evaluate various resources and websites before lesson.
Teacher can have the given websites prepped and ready for display during the lesson.
Teacher should determine the assignments to be evaluated and the associated rubrics.
References:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/04/06/investopedia43198.DTL
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networkingsites/a/networkingsites.htm
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Utilize search engine for information, articles, and activities involving professional social
networking.
Instructional Aids:
1. Display for PowerPoint, websites to learn more about professional social networking.
2. Reference books (Making the Most of Your Internship, Kaser and Brooks, Cengage
Learning; Architectural Drafting and Design, 6th Edition, Jefferis, Madsen, and Madsen,
Delmar Cengage Learning
3. Reference websites
Materials Needed:
1. Printer paper
2. Article: “Six Career-Killing Mistakes Using Facebook”
3. Internet for Undercover Boss Show
Equipment Needed:
1. Computer with PowerPoint and Internet access
2. Projector to show episodes of Undercover Boss
3. Computers for Students to conduct research on professional social networking
Learner Preparation:
Ask students to define social networking. Then ask students what means of communication
they commonly use to remain in touch with their personal network.
Ask students to write the names of professional/personal contacts who they feel are
important in their daily and professional lives. Then ask students to list the best means of
communication for each of the people on their list.
Ask students to read the “Six Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes” article. Then ask students
to outline the ten main points covered in the article. This assignment will prepare students
for classroom discussion.
Introduction
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SHOW: Show students a picture of a spider web with the names of people in the web. Then
explain how a professional social network is the group of people you associate with for
professional and social reasons.
ASK: Ask students why it is important to communicate with other professionals in the
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architecture field. What are the best strategies for keeping in touch with other architecture
professionals?
SAY: Today’s economy is highly unpredictable. Individuals are projected to change careers 12
to 14 times before they turn age 38. This makes it even more important to establish a strong
professional social network. The network helps individuals keep up-to-date in the profession and
makes individuals aware of job openings.
ASK: Have you developed a professional network? Who is in your professional network and
why is their presence important?
SAY: Friends in your professional network help to generate new ideas. The professional
network also provides an outlet for sharing information, frustrations, and celebrations.
ASK: Why should you pay attention to all new people who you meet in the architecture
industry?
SAY: The new individuals you meet may provide your next career break.
Outline
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructors can use the PowerPoint presentation, slides, handouts, and note pages in
conjunction with the following outline.
MI
Outline
I. Network-association of beneficial relationships with
professionals in your chosen career field
A. Internship
1. hands-on experience at real work sites to help
determine your future careers
2. portfolio-a collection of projects, work
experiences, awards, a resumé, and other
items that applicants present to prospective
employers to validate their value to the
company
3. will not make you rich
4. provides valuable experience and contacts
B. Mentor-individual who acts as a role model and
provides training and advice
C. Join Professional Organizations
1. attend conferences
2. communicate with other professionals
3. keep up-to-date with architecture dynamics
D. Getting the Most from Your Learning Experience
1. importance of time management-planning
to complete all tasks by using time efficiently
2. job shadowing-a work-based learning
Notes to Instructor
You can never have
too many friends in
today’s complex
economy.
The professional
network is valuable for
keeping up-to-date,
communicating, and
learning about
opportunities. During
bad economic times,
the professional
network helps
individuals learn about
job openings.
Use PowerPoint and
websites as aid.
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opportunity in which you explore a job by
spending a workday observing and assisting
an experienced worker
II. Who You Know Counts
A. Job Security-the assurance of keeping a job as
a reward for being a dedicated, productive
worker
B. Seniority-having advantages based on length of
service with a company
C. Power Networking-involves continually building
a network of relationships with people who can
help propel your career
III. Make an Impression
A. Ask questions
B. Work with a mentor
C. Use your internship experience to add value to
your resumé/portfolio
D. Highlight your leadership skills
IV. Importance of Clear Communication with Your
Professional Social Network
A. Be a Great Listener
B. Ask Questions
C. Keep it Simple
D. Focus on the Objective
E. Continually Assess Your Own Communication
Skills
V. Develop a Communication Plan for Your
Professional Network
A. Determine the Best Means of Communication
B. Determine the Reasons for Communication
C. Determine the Best Time for Communication
D. Make the Communication Process Valuable to
All Participants
All new acquaintances
are important because
they could be your
next boss or your next
career opportunity.
People appreciate
when you remember
their name and
something important
for their personality.
Use PowerPoint as
aid.
The best way to make
a solid impression is to
be a good listener. Be
attentive to the
interests of others and
you will win over
friends.
Use PowerPoint as
aid.
Communication is
essential for all
relationships. Good
listeners are a
valuable commodity.
Use PowerPoint as
aid.
Keeping in touch with
members of your
professional network is
important. Determine
the best channel of
communication and
the best time to
communicate with
other professionals.
Use PowerPoint as
aid.
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Verbal
Linguistic
Logical
Mathematical
Visual
Spatial
Musical
Rhythmic
Bodily
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Application
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Teacher will explain the value of mentors. Then teacher will ask students to list a professional
who they would like to have as a mentor. Students will conduct research about the individual
they have selected to be their mentor.
Teacher will ask students to make a list of their greatest supporters at school. Ask students
what each supporter has provided and then explain the importance of having a professional
social network.
“Who you know is more important than what you know.” Ask students what this quote means
and then relate the definition to networking.
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will be given time to read the “Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes” article. Then
students will outline the ten main points covered in the article.
Students will work on the “Networking Calendar Project.”
Summary
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Question: Why must professionals in all careers form social networks?
Question: Why are communication skills crucial for developing and maintaining a professional
social network?
Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the latest technology for
keeping in touch with your professional social network?
Question: Why is it important to treat all new acquaintances with respect?
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Evaluation
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Instructor should observe the work ethic of students while they work on the reading
assignment/worksheet. Instructor should monitor student progress on the “Networking Calendar
Project” and remind participants about the deadlines for the project. Instructor should move
around the classroom to make sure that students are participating in all class activities.
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Students will be evaluated on their Networking Calendar Project using the assigned rubric.
Extension
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
What Colleges Expect/Offer?
Ask students to research five universities that offer architecture degrees. Students will use the
Internet and other resources to determine if the universities offer internships and mentor
programs. Students will prepare an outline that lists the internship and mentor program offered
by the five universities. Students will report their findings to other students in the class.
My Network Collage
Students put together a collage of pictures representing people in their professional social
network. Captions will be included under each picture to describe the relationship (teacher,
mentor, architecture professional) in the network.
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Principles of Architecture and Construction
Professionalism: Networking-Communicating with Others to Enhance
Communication Skills
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III)
What professional would you like to have as your mentor? Conduct research on
the person you have selected and then make an attempt to contact the person.
Who are your greatest supporters at school? What contribution has each
supporter made to your life?
“Who you know is more important than what you know.” What does this
statement mean? How does this statement relate to professional networking?
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III)
Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes
Read the “Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes” article. Outline the ten main points
covered in the article.
Networking Calendar Project
Prepare a calendar for the 12 months of the upcoming year. You can use the
internet to print the calendar pages. Then create a message, relating to
professional networking in architecture for each month. Highlight professional
meeting and other opportunities for each month of the year. Each month should
include a calendar page showing dates, days of the week, etc., and the graphic
page that includes a message about professional networking. This project will be
evaluated using the associated rubric.
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV)
What Colleges Expect/Offer?
Research five universities that offer architecture degrees. Use the Internet and
other resources to determine if the universities offer internships and mentor
programs. Prepare an outline that lists the internship and mentor program offered
by the five universities. You will report your findings to other students in the class.
This project will be evaluated for completeness.
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My Network Collage
Put together a collage of pictures representing people in your professional social
network. Captions should be included under each picture to describe the
relationship (teacher, mentor, architecture professional) in the network.
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Professional Networking Calendar Project Rubric
Student Name:
CATEGORY
________________________________________
25
20
15
10
Sources - Quality
Students include 4 or
Students include 2-3 high
more high quality sources. quality sources .
Students include 2-3
sources but some of are
questionable quality.
Students
include
fewer than
2 sources.
Content
Highly defined content that Good content about
covers professional
professional networking.
networking.
Adequate information
about professional
networking. Information
could be enhance
Minimal
information
about
professional
networking.
Students create an
original, accurate and
accurate product that
interesting product that
adequately addresses the
adequately addresses the issue.
issue.
Students create an
accurate product but it
does not adequately
address the issue.
The product
is not
accurate.
Students include 4 or
Students include 2-3 high
more high quality sources. quality sources.
Students include 2-3
sources but some of are
questionable quality.
Students
include
fewer than
2 sources.
Campaign/Product Students create an
Sources - Quality
Total Points Earned _______
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Six Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes
With more than 400 million active visitors, Facebook is arguably the most popular
social networking site out there. And while the site is known for the casual social
aspect, many users also use it as a professional networking tool. With that kind of
reach, Facebook can be a valuable tool for connecting to former and current
colleagues, clients and potential employers. In fact, surveys suggest that
approximately 30% of employers are using Facebook to screen potential employees –
even more than those who check LinkedIn, a strictly professional social networking
site. Don't make these Facebook faux-pas – they might cost you a great opportunity.
IN PICTURES: Six Hot Careers With Lots Of Jobs
1. Inappropriate Pictures
It may go without saying, but prospective employers or clients don't want to
see pictures of you chugging a bottle of wine or dressed up for a night at the
bar. Beyond the pictures you wouldn't want your grandparents to see,
seemingly innocent pictures of your personal life will likely not help to
support the persona you want to present in your professional life.
2. Complaining About Your Current Job
You've no doubt done this at least once. It could be a full note about how
much you hate your office, or how incompetent your boss is, or it could be as
innocent as a status update about how your coworker always shows up late.
While everyone complains about work sometimes, doing so in a public forum
where it can be found by others is not the best career move. Though it may
seem innocent, it's not the kind of impression that sits well with a potential
boss.
3. Posting Conflicting Information to Your Resumé
If you say on your resumé that your degree is from Harvard, but your
Facebook profile says you went to UCLA, you're likely to be immediately cut
from the interview list. Even if the conflict doesn't leave you looking better on
your resumé, disparities will make you look at worst like a liar, and at best
careless. (Social networking can also be used as its own job. Learn more in
Make Money with Social Networking Sites.)
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4. Statuses You Wouldn't Want Your Boss to See
Everyone should know to avoid statuses like "Tom plans to call in sick
tomorrow so he can get drunk on a Wednesday. Who cares that my big work
project isn't done?" But you should also be aware of less flamboyant statuses
like "Sarah is watching the gold medal hockey game online at her desk."
Statuses that imply you are unreliable, deceitful, and basically anything that
doesn't make you look as professional as you'd like, can seriously undermine
your chances at landing that new job.
5. Not Understanding Your Security Settings
The security settings on Facebook have come a long way since the site started.
It is now possible to customize lists of friends and decide what each list can
and cannot see. However, many people do not fully understand these settings,
or don't bother to check who has access to what. If you are going to use
Facebook professionally, and even if you aren't, make sure you take the time
to go through your privacy options. At the very least, your profile should be
set so that people who are not your friend cannot see any of your pictures or
information. (These rules apply to Twitter as well, and you can also use
Twitter to find a new job. Find out more in Tweet Your Way to a Sweet Job.)
6. Losing by Association
You can't control what your friends post to your profile (although you can
remove it once you see it), nor what they post to their own profiles or to those
of mutual friends. If a potential client or employer sees those Friday night
pictures your friend has tagged you in where he is falling down drunk, it
reflects poorly on you, even if the picture of you is completely innocent. It's
unfortunate, but we do judge others by the company they keep, at least to
some extent. Take a look at everything connected to your profile, and keep an
eye out for anything you wouldn't want to show your mother.
Facebook Can Help You Get Hired … Or Fired
The best advice is to lock down your personal profile so that only friends you approve
can see anything on that profile. Then, create a second, public profile on Facebook
purely for professional use. This profile functions like an online resumé, and should
only contain information you'd be comfortable telling your potential employer faceto-face. Having a social networking profile is a good thing – it presents you as
technologically and professionally savvy. Just make sure your profile is helping to
present your best side – not the side that got drunk at your buddy's New Year's party.
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If you're still feeling uninformed, check out last week's business highlights in Water
Cooler Finance: Auto Hope, Bubbling Oil and Obamanomics.
Original story - Six Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes
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