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. D’Alessandro
CEO of John Hancock
Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand
and Fighting to Keep It