Career Development Seminar: ENGR 497G (2-credits) Syllabus (Fall 2010) Section 1 Sponsored by TIME/LOCATION: Thursdays 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., 307 Hammond Bldg. INSTRUCTOR: Anita Persaud, D. Ed. Penn State Alumna M. Ed. & D. Ed. Counselor Education Office: 208- Hammond Bldg Phone: 865-6613 E-mail: apersaud@engr.psu.edu OFFICE HOURS: Thursdays 11am-12pm or by appointment PURPOSE: This Career Development Seminar offers upper-class engineering students information on the tools and current practices in industry. Topics range from communication skills, leadership strategies, teambuilding skills, personal management, business etiquette and knowledge about the corporate culture. The seminar will cover a wide variety of topics and is designed to create a smooth transition into engineering positions and a successful career. Industry representatives will participate in the course as guest speakers. They will provide presentations in-person or through on-line video methods used in industry including video conference call, Elluminate and skype. Group Presentation: In teams of 3-4 students you will review a book on a topic related to this course and make a PPT presentation using the skills you’ve learned from Dr. Alley’s PowerPoint workshop. It is highly encouraged that you prepare and distribute handouts of the highlights of the book you select. This presentation will take place during the last class session. Grading: 1. Attendance & Participation: 30% 2. Time Management Report: 10% 3. Goals & Priorities: 10% 4. Stress Management Workshop: 10% 5. Resume & Cover-letter & Reference List: 10% 6. Group Presentation: 15% 7. Reflection Paper: 15% EVALUATION: Final grades will be based on a 100 point scale as follows: Your final letter grade will be assigned from this final average according to the University guidelines: A >95 B 83-86 C 70-74 A90-94 B80-82 D 60-69 B+ 87-89 C+ 75-79 F <60 ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is important for succeeding in this seminar. It is highly recommended that you exchange contact information with at least two classmates in the case of unexpected missed class sessions due to illness or family related emergencies. Up to two excused absences will be allowed. After that, you may attend a MEP Night event and complete the brief assignment (dropbox) for each missed class. If the extra credit is not completed and students are absent w/o valid documented excuses (doctor’s notes, family emergencies, etc.) then 5 points per missed class will be deducted from the 15 allocated points for overall class attendance. Since students need to be present in order to actively participate in the class, the 15 points for classroom participation will be affected in cases of high class absences. The Penn State Principles: 1. 2. 3. 4. I will respect the dignity of all individuals within the Penn State community; I will practice academic integrity; I will demonstrate social and personal responsibility; I will be responsible for my own academic progress and agree to comply with all University policies. Related sites: Penn State Principles, http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/principles.html Code of Conduct, http://www.sa.psu.edu/ja/conduct.shtml Academic integrity, http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/47-00.html#49-20 SCHEDULE OF CLASSES as of August 2010 The class meetings will include speakers, activities, programs, films and discussion. To ensure effective discussion, I encourage you to please have at least two questions for each presenter and share your thoughts during class discussions. Everyone has something valuable to contribute to this course. Topics are subject to change based on the presenters’ schedule and availability. Lesson Date Topic Location Homework Due to Class session Lesson Date 1 8/26 Topic Course Introduction Time Management MBTI Dr. Anita Persaud 2 9/2 Superb Resume & Cover-letter When to ask your questions at interviews What to ask/Who to ask Do’s and Don’ts Location Homework Due to Class session Hammond 307 Hammond 307 Bob Raybits Northrop Grumman Electronics Systems 3 9/9 Dealing w/Difficult Conversations David Esqueda Hammond 307 Resume, Cover-letter & References Continua 4 9/16 Interview Etiquette Anabelle Gil-borges, Hammond 307 HARRIS Corporation 5 9/23 Group Presentation Prep. Hammond 307 Time Management report due 6 9/30 Six Sigma – What is it and how is it implemented in industry Hammond 307 Book Title, Presentation Outline & Team Members for Final Presentation Days Inn, Arbor Room Business Casual Attire, come with one question re: business dining etiquette, attire, greetings, goodbyes or dinner conversations Jesse Shearin, PPG * 9/30 Etiquette Dining Workshop Diana Ziesky, Diamonds & Lace, Owner 7 10/7 Project Management Diane Murray, Hammond 307 NISH National Business Development 8 10/14 Gender Communications & Success Strategies in the Workplace Laura Chan, Hammond 307 Stress Management Assignment due Lesson Date Topic Location Homework Due to Class session HARRIS Corporation 9 10 10/21 10/28 Stress Management, Dr. Mary Ellen Litzinger Hammond 307 Preparing well to present yourself with confidence Hammond 307 Melissa Marshall 11 11/4 The Four Major Styles of Interviews Dr. Bob Gochnour, Hammond 307 Goals & Priorities due BP America 12 11/11 Negotiating the Hiring Package Professional Development Salary Vacation/Sick Time, 9/80 Promotion opportunities 401K/IRA Roth vs. Normal Relocation and business travel reimbursement Hammond 307 Danelle Wilson, RR Donnelley 13 11/18 Making Engaging PPT Presentations, Dr. Michael Alley Hammond 307 Reflection Paper 14 11/25 Thanksgiving Break 15 12/2 Group Presentations Hammond 307 Handout 16 12/9 Group Presentations Hammond 307 Handout Last Class SRTE –Faculty Evaluations * The purpose of the Etiquette Dining Workshop is to teach students the unwritten rules of proper dining manners. The objective in having this session is to prepare students for interviews, meetings and other business engagements that require proper dining skills during business engagements. Many corporations will invite students for interviews over a meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and it is critical that students are prepared and knowledgeable about the proper table manners to appropriate conversation topics to correct business attire. This is a time when students may be critically scrutinized for their lack of knowledge and the fact that the meal is not the focus of the session, the interaction with the corporate representatives is what is important. Topics to be covered during this session include: (knowledge about which utensil is appropriate from salad fork to meal fork to dessert fork, how to fold and place the napkin, how to pass the salt/butter/bread-basket etc., when to begin eating/drinking, what should they order/eat, how to eat and answer questions at the same time, how should soup be consumed, tactics for slow and fast eaters, how to indicate when are done with a course, how to greet and say good-bye to their host, etc.). This is a very valuable skill to acquire before graduation. This presentation is provided at very few student venues. That is why it is essential that this component of the Career Development Seminar is maintained. “Manners that demonstrate a lack of knowledge will hold you back. The people who could benefit your career won’t trust you. They’ll assume that your lack of knowledge carries over into fields that are important to their business, as well.” David F. 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