HPC 3540-101: Advanced Life and Career Planning
Fall 2009
T/R 12:30-1:45
Edwin Duncan 200
HPC Office: 828-262-2055
Shannon Dixon
sd65309@appstate.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only
Meagan Ashby
Cell: 919-608-1087
ashbyme@appstate.edu
*E-mail is the best way to reach both instructors. Calling an instructor should be reserved for
emergencies only between 10am and 10pm!!!*
Course Description:
This individually oriented course helps students consider those career choices and related factors
contributing to satisfaction and happiness in life. The process of decision making, goal setting and selfmanagement by objectives will be studied in order for the student to plan systematically for a career.
Emphasis will be placed on preparing the student for issues related to job searching, resume building,
work place environment/requirements, and graduate admissions.
Required Text:
Sukiennik, D., Bendat, W., & Raufman, L. (2004). The career fitness program: Exercising your options, 8th
ed. Columbus: Pearson.
Attendance Policy/Tardiness:
Prompt attendance is REQUIRED for this course, and will be calculated as part of your final grade. You
are allowed no more than 2 absences over the semester; any classes missed beyond the allowed 2 will
result in the loss of 5 attendance/participation points per day missed. Tardiness is not an example of
professionalism; therefore, 3 tardies will count as 1 absence.
*In the event of emergency, please notify us through e-mail before class starts that you will not be able
to attend class.*
Academic Integrity Code:
Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to policies and procedures outlined in the
Appalachian State University Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity booklet. Students will refrain from
plagiarism, cheating, lying, accepting of unauthorized assistance, etc. Please refer to the ASU Handbook
or website for requirements: http://studentconduct.appstate.edu
Accommodating Students with Special Learning Needs:
Students with a documented disability, in need of accommodations, should contact and register with
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at http://www.ods.appstate.edu or 828-262-3056.
Inclement Weather Policy:
In the event of bad weather, we will make every effort to notify you by e-mail no later than 11am as to
whether we will have to reschedule that day’s class. Campus closings can be found on ASU’s home page.
Electronic Devices:
Any electronic devices should be TURNED OFF or SILENCED during class time. If you are text messaging
or engaging in any other forms of electronic communication during class, we reserve the right to deduct
points from your final participation grade and/or confiscate the device until the end of class.
Course Requirements:
*All assignments will be due at the beginning of class and late work will NOT be accepted!!*
*All written work should be typed, 12pt font, double spaced*
Resumes: Students are expected to complete 2 final resumes by the end of this course. The first resume
will be tailored to one of the job fairs held here at ASU. Students will be responsible for setting up an
appointment with the Career Development Center (3rd floor JET building) to have their resume reviewed
and corrected by a career counselor. The final copy, including original version and corrected version,
will be due on Tuesday, September 15th. The second resume will be tailored to a current job description
or graduate program of the student’s interest. A cover letter should be included along with a job
description or graduate school admission form. The final copy will be due on Thursday, November 12th.
Career Fairs: Students will attend one of three career fairs held on ASU’s campus. Students will have the
option to choose between:
JobFest: Tuesday, September 22nd, from 1pm-4pm at Broyhill Inn and Conference Center
Graduate and Professional School Fair: Thursday, October 1st, from 10am-2pm at Grandfather
Mountain Ball Room, Student Union
Education Fair: Monday, October 19th, 9am-12pm at Broyhill Inn and Conference Center
Students are expected to write a 1-2 page reflection paper describing their experience at the fair,
something new that they learned, and who they met at the fair. This paper will be due the next class
period after the fair.
CareerGear/Homework: Students will set up a CareerGear account on the second day of class. The
instructors will periodically ask students to give updates on their accounts. This will be included in the
participation grade. Students are expected to read the required chapters from the text before class. In
addition, students are expected to demonstrate that they have read by completing assigned activities in
the workbook. This will also be included in the participation grade and checked on a weekly basis.
Interview Reaction Paper: Students will be responsible for setting up an interview at the Career
Development Center. Students will have the option to choose between an interview with a career
counselor or online through Perfect Interview. It is imperative that you set up this interview as soon as
possible to ensure that it is done before the due date. Students are expected to write a 1-2 page
reflection paper describing the interview experience and their strengths and weaknesses during the
interview process. If students decide to interview with a career counselor, the counselor must sign a
form that the instructors will provide. If students decide to interview online through Perfect Interview,
they must e-mail their interview to one of the instructors. The reflection paper and the documentation
are due Thursday, October 22nd.
Career Presentation: Students will work in groups of two to three to develop a presentation on a career
field of interest. This presentation should be 15-20 minutes and should include the following: overview
of career field, education required, expected growth within the next 10 years, current salary, job
requirements, and other pertinent information. Each group will prepare a handout to give to each
member of the class, including the instructors. Creativity is encouraged! The presentations will be
scheduled throughout the semester.
Diversity Project: Students will work in groups of two to three to develop a presentation on a diverse
topic in the workforce. Suggested topics include: Disabilities, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination,
GLBTQ, Women, Affirmative Action, Ageism, Veterans, Cultural Differences, or any other relevant topic
of your choice. This presentation should be 30-40 minutes long and should include the following:
overview of topic, relevance to work environment, difficulties your selected population encounters
when applying for job, suggestions for overcoming difficulties and/or available support networks, and
any other relevant information. Group members are expected to provide a handout to classmates and
instructors and also include a hands-on activity during the presentation. This presentation will be
scheduled throughout the semester.
Grading Scale:
Attendance/Participation/Hmk
Career Fair Reflection
1st Resume
2nd Resume and Cover Letter
Interview Reaction Paper
Career Presentation
Diversity Project
Total Possible Points: 450
450-360: A
359- 270: B
269- 180: C
179- 90: D
89- 0: F
150 points
50 points
40 points
60 points
45 points
45 points
60 points
Tentative Course Outline/Schedule
August 25th ……………………………………………………………………………………Introduction
Syllabus overview
th
August 27 ……………………………………………………………………………………CareerGear sign-up
Myers-Briggs Assessment
HW: Chapter 3
st
September 1 …………………………………………………………………………………Chapter 3
Assessment results
Resumes
HW: Chapter 4
rd
September 3 ………………………………………………………………………………..Peer Career (2nd Floor Student Union)
September 8th ……………………………………………………………………………….Chapter 4
September 10th………………………………………………………………………………Attend Convocation
HW: Resume with CDC
th
September 15 ………………………………………………………………………………Resumes with Corrections DUE
Chapter 4
HW: Chapter 5
th
September 17 ……………………………………………………………………………….Chapter 5
September 22nd………………………………………………………………………………Attend JobFest
September 24th……………………………………………………………………………….JobFest Reflection DUE
Cover Letters
HW: Chapter 10
th
September 29 ……………………………………………………………………………….Presentations
Career Presentation____________________________
Diversity Presentation__________________________
October 1st……………………………………………………………………………………..Attend Grad/Prof School Fair
October 6th……………………………………………………………………………………..Grad/Prof Reflection DUE
Career Development Center
th
October 8 ……………………………………………………………………………………..Presentations
HW: Chapter 8
Career Presentation______________________________
Diversity Presentation____________________________
th
October 13 …………………………………………………………………………………..Chapter 8
Presentation
HW: Chapter 2
Career Presentation____________________________
th
October 15 ……………………………………………………………………………………University Break-No Class!!!
** Monday October 19th: Education Fair, Broyhill Inn**
October 20th……………………………………………………………………………………Chapter 2
Interview Skills
HW: Chapter 11
Career Presentation_____________________________
nd
October 22 ……………………………………………………………………………………Interview Reaction Paper DUE
Chapter 11
HW: Chapter 9
th
October 27 ……………………………………………………………………………………Chapter 9
Targeting your Job Search
Diversity Presentation__________________________________
th
October 29 ……………………………………………………………………………………Presentations
Career Presentation_______________________________
Diversity Presentation______________________________
rd
November 3 ………………………………………………………………………………….Resumes and the Job Search
Graduate School
Review Chapter 10
Diversity Presentation________________________________
th
November 5 ………………………………………………………………………………….Out of class workday
November 10th………………………………………………………………………………..Resume Rough Draft DUE
November 12th………………………………………………………………………………..Presentations
Career Presentation________________________________
Diversity Presentation______________________________
th
November 17 ………………………………………………………………………………..Resumes DUE
Presentations
Career Presentation______________________________
Diversity Presentation_____________________________
November 19th………………………………………………………………………………..Presentations
Career Presentation______________________________
Diversity Presentation____________________________
th
November 24 ………………………………………………………………………………..Presentations
HW: Chapter 12
Career Presentations____________________________
Diversity Presentation___________________________
th
November 26 …………………………………………………………………………………Turkey Day-NO CLASS!!!
December 1st…………………………………………………………………………………..Chapter 12
Dining Etiquette
rd
December 3 …………………………………………………………………………………..Wrap-Up Class
Evaluations