LIBS 100 – Introduction to Information Literacy & Research
Portfolio Descriptive Writing 1 Assessment
“Career Exploration”
DUE: _______________
Purpose statement:
Mastery of information literacy skills is essential to success in many careers that offer the promise and
potential for personal and professional growth. That is why Bryant & Stratton College created this
introductory course. Introduction to Information Literacy and Research (LIBS100) is designed to develop your
understanding and development of information literacy skills and the many applications of information literacy
within the career path of your choice.
In this paper you will explore the responsibilities, tasks, growth trends, salaries, lifelong learning
opportunities, and any other relevant aspects of three (3) career paths in your field of interest.
This project is worth 15% of the total course grade.
Both the paper and the preliminary worksheets must be turned in to receive a grade.
Intended Outcomes:
 Function in a Windows operating system environment, including the use of GUI’s, peripheral devices,
email and basic word processing.
 Effectively use the Virtual Library, public access catalogs (OPACs), bibliographies, and full-text and
bibliographic databases.
 Develop and refine search techniques for electronic, print, and Internet resources.
 Identify different information formats and then choose the most appropriate format(s) for each
research need.
 Demonstrate an awareness of political, social, legal, economic, and intellectual property issues
relevant to print and electronic resources and successfully avoid plagiarism and copyright
infringement.
 Evaluate information for reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view.
 Cite bibliographic references correctly in proper APA style and construct bibliographies and works
cited in research papers and assignments.
 Investigate personal and professional interests, strengths and skills.
 Perform research on career development and lifelong learning opportunities.
 Complete a written career related research project.
 Present research findings on career development and lifelong learning through discussion and other
oral presentation formats.
Materials/ Resources Needed:
 Your portfolio container
 Four (4) or more resources from a variety of print and electronic sources
 The three (3) worksheets you created for this assessment
 One interview with a faculty member or manager level employee employed in your field of interest
regarding knowledge, education, necessary certifications, and opportunities for continued
professional development in the field
Suggested Resources:
 Local and National Salary Survey Results—Career Services
 A faculty member in your major or professional already working in a career path of your choice
 Professional Associations found in the Program Resources section of the Virtual Library
 Links found in the Career Planning section of the Virtual Library, such as the Occupational Outlook
Handbook
 Print resources in your campus library
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Content Requirements:
INTRODUCTION
 List the three different career paths in your field that you chose to explore
 Discuss why you have chosen to research these three career paths
PATH SIMILARITIES – include 1-2 in text citations for each career path
In approximately one page, describe how your 3 career paths are similar. Some areas to consider are:
 Responsibilities
 Tasks
 Salary
 Education
 Growth Trends
 Lifelong Learning
PATH DIFFERENCES – include 1-2 in text citations for each career path
In approximately one page, describe how your 3 career paths are different. Some areas to consider are:
 Responsibilities
 Tasks
 Salary
 Education
 Growth Trends
 Lifelong Learning
ANALYSIS – include any necessary in text citations
In approximately one page, describe with details and examples:
 What did you learn about your career paths that was new to you?
 What did you learn about your career paths that surprised or concerned you?
 Are there any advancement opportunities that interest you in this field?
CONCLUSION - include any necessary in text citations
 Which career path are you most likely to follow? Why? Be specific and include details.
 If you have found one (or more) that is not a wise career choice, what have you learned from doing
this research that might help you find a different path on which to focus?
REFERENCES
 Only include sources that you have cited within your paper
Format Requirements:
It is required to follow these specifications:
 Your paper should be a minimum of 3-4 pages (not counting attachments or cover page).
 Your paper should conform to all APA paper format and citations rules given in your APA Reference
Guide (typed, double-spaced, one inch margins all around; cover page; Arial 11 or Times New
Roman 12 size font; header and page number; section headings).
 Your paper should be organized according to the following categories: Introduction, Path Similarities,
Path Differences, Analysis, Conclusion and References. These categories should be used in the
paper as headings. Requirements for each category/heading are indicated in the Content
Requirements section.
 Use correct grammar and spelling.
 Include in the Introduction or Summary any information from your “Narrative 1: Who Am I?” that you
feel is important. Good information to include might be information about the strengths, skills,
education or training you already have that you will bring to your career field.
 Include in-text citations to the source of any information that you discovered by doing your research.
Remember, any quotes, information, or ideas that are not your own need to be credited to the
original source so as not to be considered plagiarized. Any quotes from your own previously written
work also need to be cited. Use appropriate reference sources to help you. This writing MUST
include outside sources.
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Editing Requirements:
 Students will have an opportunity to revise their first draft if the assessment has been turned in by
the due date. Students are encouraged to make use of Learning Resource Center tutors or the
Smarthinking service. Extra credit points will be awarded if you supply evidence of review by the
tutors or Smarthinking for either your first draft or your revision.
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“CAREER EXPLORATION” DESCRIPTIVE PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT RUBRIC
Criteria
A
B
C
F
Description of
Career Paths
50-44
Student clearly explains
reasons for career path
choices. Fully identifies
key similarities and
differences between the
career paths. Provides
detailed analysis of the
career paths. Paper
includes 3 distinct career
paths.
10-9
Includes comprehensive
interview summary.
43-38
Student explains
reasons for career path
choices. Identifies
similarities and
differences between
the career paths.
Provides an analysis of
the career paths.
Paper includes 3
distinct career paths.
8
Interview is completed;
summary lacks detail.
37-33
Student provides basic
reasons for career path
choices. Identifies some
similarities and differences
between the career paths.
Provides a general analysis
of the career paths. Paper
includes 2 distinct career
paths.
32-0
Student provides little to no
reasons for career path
choices. Identifies few
similarities and differences
between the career paths.
Offers little or no analysis of
the career paths.
Paper includes 1 career
path, or career paths are
not easily distinguishable.
6-0
Interview is superficial, or
interview is missing.
Use and
citation of
Sources
40-36
Student cites four (4) or
more sources. Correctly
cites four (4) sources
within the paper and on
the References page.
Text references are
appropriately integrated
into the paper.
31-29
Student cites two (2)
sources. Consistent errors
(>3) occur in the citation of
sources within the paper
and on the References
page. Text references are
integrated into the paper.
28-0
The student cites one or no
(1-0) sources. Frequent and
consistent errors (>4) occur
in the citation of sources
within the paper and on the
References page. Text
references are not
appropriately integrated into
the paper.
Evaluation of
sources
20-19
Shows an excellent
ability to choose sources
in support of a thesis.
Sources are college level
and credible.
10-9
Meets formatting
requirements; includes all
parts: cover page, oneinch margins, doublespacing, page header,
pagination, correct font
size and section
headings
20-19
The assignment is well
written and effectively
communicates the
writer’s purpose. The
assignment is error free
(or nearly so) for spelling
and punctuation.
35-32
Student cites three (3)
sources. Minor errors
(< 2) are evident in the
citation of sources
within the paper and
on the References
page. Text references
are appropriately
integrated into the
paper.
18-16
Shows an adequate
ability to choose
sources in support of a
thesis. Sources are
mostly credible.
8
Meets most formatting
requirements; missing
1-2 parts
15-14
Shows a passable ability to
choose sources in support
of a thesis. Sources are
somewhat or marginally
credible.
7
Meets some formatting
requirements; missing 3-4
parts
13-0
Shows little ability to
choose sources in support
of a thesis. Sources
demonstrate little to no
credibility.
6-0
Meets few or no formatting
requirements; missing 5+
parts
18-17
The assignment is
generally well written
and communicates the
writer’s purpose. There
are a few spelling,
punctuation, or
grammar errors (2-3
per page) but the
errors do not
significantly detract
from understanding.
16-15
The assignment generally
meets the project
requirements and the
writer’s purpose is evident,
although more development
is required. There are many
spelling, punctuation, or
grammar errors (>4 per
page) that interfere with
understanding.
14-0
The assignment is poorly
written and requires
revision. Frequent errors
(>5 per page) interfere with
the reader’s understanding.
Interview
Properly
Formatted
Assessment in
APA style:
Correct Use of
Grammar
EXTRA
CREDIT:
Submitted to
Smarthinking
or On Campus
Tutor
Total Score/
Comments:
10
Evidence of submission
to Smarthinking or
On Campus Tutor
attached.
7
Interview is completed but
only somewhat thorough.
0
Did not submit to
Smarthinking or
On Campus Tutor
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