University Seminar 2001: Planning for Success
Sophomore Seminar: Planning for Success!
Section 602: Wednesday 2:40 - 3:50 (Tuttleman Learning Center 305B)
Instructors:
Alexandra Yanovski (Lead Instructor)
500 Conwell Hall
ayanovski@temple.edu
Office hours: By appointment only
Course textbook:
What Color Is Your Parachute? 2014: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers + Workbook
(Richard N. Bolles)
Other required readings:
Undergraduate Bulletin (available on-line: http://www.temple.edu/bulletin)
Documents assigned from the course Blackboard website
In Class Handouts
Course description:
This is a one credit optional course that will provide sophomore students with an opportunity to work on professional
planning and development. Topics will include exploring individual strengths, academic majors, potential career
paths, how to get an internship, research opportunities, getting involved on campus, graduate school preparation, and
preparing for the transition to a career (e.g., resumes, cover letters, and interview techniques). The topics covered in
this seminar will help students develop and meet short and long term career and personal goals.
Pre-requisites: 30 or more cumulative credits
Note: Students cannot earn credit for both the Transfer Seminar and the Sophomore Experience Seminar.
In this seminar you will:
● Learn more information about desired majors and/or career paths
● Identify interests, skills, values and personal characteristics
● Develop a plan, based on your career aspirations, for the remainder of your college career (e.g., internships,
study abroad, student organizations, community service, and research opportunities,)
● Construct a resume and cover letter
● Identify and learn how to appropriately navigate the process(es) for a job search (e.g., networking,
informational interviewing, and on-line searches)
● Establish and enhance interviewing skills
Course expectations:
Instructors will strive to provide a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and conversation and make
the course a positive experience.
You are expected to attend all class meetings, participate in class discussions, respect the opinions of others,
prepare for class, and complete your assignments by the due date.
Course policies
Attendance & Participation:
● You are expected to attend and participate in all classes. You will receive a grade for participation – not
attendance
● Attendance will be taken prior to the distribution of the participation exercise
● Only students who are in class can participate and receive points for the participation exercise
Lateness
Assignments are due by 11:59PM the day of the class, or as scheduled.
Disability accommodations and services
If you have a documented disability and need special accommodations, you need to contact both your instructor and
the Disability Resources and Services (Main Campus: 215-204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex; Ambler Campus: 215-2831237, 109 West Hall), at the beginning of the semester, to coordinate reasonable accommodations.
Academic Rights and Responsibilities
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. Temple University’s policy on
Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02) can be access through the following
link: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02
Grading
Evaluation Components:
Autobiography
Action Plan
Focus 2
Résumé/Cover Letter/References
Career Research
Mock Interview
Journals
Participation/Attendance
---------------------------------------TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS
A [418-450]
C+ [345-359]
A-[405-417]
C [328-344]
Points
Your Grade
50
50
50
100
50
50
50
50
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
450
B+ [391-404]
C- [315-327]
B [373-390]
D [225-314]
B- [360-372]
F [<224]
Assignments
Autobiography: 50 Points
Imagine you are preparing for an interview about an Internship/Study Abroad/Graduate School application. You can
be sure the interviewer will ask you about your background, and how it has influenced your goals. The purpose of this
assignment is to help you prepare for the interviewer’s questions. The time you spend on this assignment will payoff
in numerous ways in the future.
Each section will include about 250-300 words.
Sections: Family Experience, Educational Experience, Work Experience, Current Life/Career Goals
Action Plan/Focus 2: 100 Points
You will develop an action plan for your remaining three years at Temple.
1) This plan will include goals and objectives (related to your career choice).
2) You will describe your:
a) chosen field (3 job descriptions)
b) internships opportunities available
c) potential student/professional groups you could join
d) and how studying abroad can be incorporated into your experience.
e) skills you need to learn through your courses
Also, indicate how you will start gathering references for future employment. If graduate school is part of your plan,
indicate what exams will be needed and when, who you will acquire letters of recommendation from and where you
will apply.
Résumé [50] /Cover Letter [30] /References [20]: 100 Points
You will prepare a professional résumé, cover letter and a references page. In order to demonstrate your ability to
tailor your résumé to specific job postings, you will create the résumé and cover letter in response to a particular job
description. You will find a job posting for a position in the field you plan to pursue. The job posting will be handed in
with the résumé and cover letter.
Career Research: Informational Interview [25] / Budget [25]: 50 Points
This project will allow you to find out more about a field or profession you are currently considering. You will set up
an informational interview with a professional in your selected field. You will prepare interview questions and conduct
the interview. Additionally, you will be required to conduct research in your selected field and report your findings in a
powerpoint presentation along with a budget developed for a specific job.
Mock Interview: 50 Points
You will be interviewed by one of various industry professionals. You will be required to dress professionally, present
the interviewer with a résumé, and complete a 20-30 minute interview. You will need to demonstrate your ability to
successfully complete a professional interview based on the information presented in class. You will receive
feedback from the interviewer and the instructor. Students will also be required to submit a thank you letter the class
meeting following their interview.
Discussion Board/Journals: 50 Points
You will submit journal entries completed throughout the semester to reflect on topics covered in class. Topics for the
journals will include identifying values, skills, interests, creating goals, career fears, and looking forward. You will be
required to submit one journal entry per week. Entry length is specified in the instructions for each journal.
Course Schedule:
8/27
Barton
Topic:
In-Class Activities
[1] Welcome:
Temple Resources
Introductions:
Waivers
HW Due:
9/03
LAB
9/10
Educational objectives
Course Description/Syllabus
Expectations: Student/Instructor
Temple Resources
Review Blackboard Site
E-Mail Policy
Activity: High & Lows
Review Homework Due next week:
Autobiography Assignment
TUTTLEMAN LEARNING CENTER
COMPUTER LAB
[2] It’s All Academic
Definitions of Career Terms
Temple Resources
Personal Statements; High & Low
Autobiographies
Academic Advising At Temple
Action Plan
DARS: Degree Audit
Goal Setting: 8 Semester Grids
Time Management & Organization
Lynda.com
GoogleDocs
Values Card Sort
Start Focus 2
Set Up Your Email
Values Auction
Interests: Holland Activity
Values/Interests/Skills
Skills: Check Sheet
Course Workbook
Journal (D/B) 1
(Due 9/12/2014)
[3] Self: Values, Interests, Skills,
Leisure
* High & Low Activity
(Bring with you to class
on Wednesday)
* Autobiography
(Due 9/5/2014 @ Midnight
Via DropBox)
Read Temple Bulletin
(8 Semester Grids)
Review Advising Notes
(E-Mail Screenshot)
Action Plan:
Values/Interests Skills
Autobiography & DB1
added to Action Plan
9/17
[4] Career Planning:
Connecting your major to Career
Temple Career Services
Career Services Overview
Interpreting Focus 2
What can I do with my major
O’Net
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Exploring Careers
World of Work Map
Basic Job Search - TUportal/External
Complete Focus 2
Read Course Text:
Chapter 7
Complete Workbook
Activity
9/24
[5]
Internships
Study Abroad
Graduate School Exploration
Scholarships & Fellowships
Campus Resources
Activity: Action plan: what activities,
organizations, study abroad opportunities,
internships, part-time jobs should I look for?
Academic Opportunities
Journal (D/B) 2
Workbook Petals 1-4
(Action Plan Part 2)
10/01
TUTTLEMAN LEARNING CENTER
COMPUTER LAB 00003
Activity: Transferable Skills
Resume, Cover Letter, & Reference Page
Overview
Signing up for Mock Interviews
Temple Career Guide
(Reading)
Continue working on Action
Plan
Schedule a meeting with
Academic Advisor
LAB
[6] Written Communications In Job
Hunting I
Resume & Cover Letters
3 Job Postings
Read Course Text:
Chapter 2 (pg. 26-40)
10/08
[7] Cover Letters:
Written Communications In Job
Hunting II
Activity: Resume & Cover Letter Critiques
References
Schedule Mock Interview
Draft 1:
Resume & Cover Letter
Read Course Text:
Chapter 2 (pg. 26-40)
10/15
10/22
[8] Launching an Employment
Campaign
[9] Interviewing / Networking / Career
Center
Presentation: Employment Campaign
Job Search (web & beyond)
Alternative ways to work
Voicemail and Phone
How to interview
Types of Interviews
Metacognition
Professional Image
Journal (D/B) 3
Read Course Text:
Chapter 1; Chapter 8
References Page
Action Plan
Read Course Text:
Chapter 4
10/29
[10] Social Media
Evaluating Job Offers
Facebook
LinkedIN
Negotiating & Evaluating Job Offers
Thank you Letters
Read Course Text:
Chapter 2 (pg. 21-26);
Chapter 6
11/05
LAB
[12] First Job & Early Career
TUTTLEMAN LEARNING CENTER
COMPUTER LAB 00003
Linkedin Assignment in Class
Success on the Job
Dress, think, act for Success
Finish Resume/Cover Letter
Resume & Cover Letter
LinkedIn Profile
Journal (D/B) 4
11/12
[11] Financial Literacy
(Guest Speaker)
FICO Scores & Job Search
1st Day & Beyond
Budget Assignment in Class
Informational Interviews
YNAB - You need a budget
Journal (D/B) 5
Mock Interview Due
Budget
Review Advising Notes
(E-Mail Screenshot)
* Schedule is subject to change