The Pennsylvania State University
College of Engineering
Career Development Seminar (CDS)
ENGR 497G
2 Credits
TIME/LOCATION: Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., 308 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 10am-11am 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: 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 engineering.
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.
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
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
1
1/14
Topic
Course Introduction
 Time Management
 MBTI
Dr. Anita Persaud
2
1/21
Business Etiquette



Telephone
Cell Phone
Email
Dr. Anita Todd
Location
Homework Due
to Class session
Hammond
308
Hammond
305
Time Management
report due
Lesson
Date
Topic
Location
Homework Due
to Class session
Associate Professor, Professional Practice
The Division of Professional Practice
University of Cincinnati
*3
1/25
6pm8pm
Dining Etiquette Workshop
Days Inn
Hotel
This is a 2-hour
presentation with a 4course meal
3
1/28
Gender Communications and Success
Strategies in the Workplace
Hammond
308
Stress Management
Assignment due 2/1
Andrea Esqueda, Accenture
4
2/4
Stress Management,
Dr. Mary Ellen Litzinger
5
6
2/11
2/18
Dealing w/Difficult Communications
Hammond
308
David Esqueda
Hammond
308
Six Sigma – What is it and how is it
implemented in industry
Hammond
308
Jesse Shearin, PPG
7
2/25
Project Management and Team Skills


How to motivate and re-energize
teams
How to work on a team as a junior
member
Hammond
308
Goals & Priorities due
Hammond
308
Topic, Outline &
Team Members for
Final Presentation
due
How to plan, prepare and facilitate
meetings
Jayme Fullerton, Estee Lauder
8
3/4
First Day on the Job: Success from the
Start
Shannon Pelissero – PPG
9
3/11
Spring Break 
Hammond
308
10
3/18
Making Engaging PPT Presentations,
Dr. Michael Alley
Hammond
308
Performance Assessment & Career
Hammond
11
3/25
Lesson
Date
Topic
Options
Location
Homework Due
to Class session
308
Kerry Wright and Kate Sampson
Siemens
12
4/1
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
308
Danelle Wilson, Vice President of
Manufacturing
RR Donnelley
*13
4/8
Resume & Cover-letter Updates



When to ask your questions at
interviews
What to ask/Who to ask
Do’s and Don’ts
Bob Raybits & Tamara Valinoto,
Northrop Grumman Electronics Systems
14
4/15
Self-Promotion
Patricia Woody, Dept. Head
Hammond
308
Resume & Coverletter & References
Naval Surface Warfare Center
16
4/22
Why Do I Want to Hire You
Dr. Bob Gochnour, BP America
Hammond
308
This presentation deals with the different
styles of interviews that students may
encounter and the "soft skills" measure
that recruiters commonly employ to select
students.
17
4/30
Group Presentations
Reflection Papers Due
SRTE –Faculty Evaluations
* The purpose of the Etiquette dining session is to teach students the unwritten rules of proper
dining manners. The goal in having this session is to prepare students for interviews, meetings and
other business engagements that require eating while working. 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.