Instructor:                                                                                                       Office Hours:
Susan P. Robison                                                                                              Mondays & Wednesdays
Director of Internships & Employment                                                                And by Appointment
srobison@wvu.edu                                                                                            Room 358, B&E
R: sec.1,1:30 rm 240/sec.4, 2:30, rm 441                                                          (304) 293-7818

Course Goals

Professional Development II is a course that focuses on the development of the essential skills for professional placement.  This includes the ability to develop:

• An appealing and effective resume.
• Effective skills in job searching.
• Skills in communication with prospective employers including print and electronic forms of communication.
• Skills in evaluating employment opportunities and offers.

• Byrd, Jack (1998). Finding the First Job. (FFJ). Career Success Academy, CESD, West Virginia University.
• Yate, Martin (2002). Knock 'Em Dead 2002. (KmD). Adams Media Corporation. Available at the WVU Bookstore, Downtown Campus
• You will also reference various on-line sites to extract career related information: www.careers.wsj.com, www.MonsterTrak.com, www.be.wvu.edu/serve/employ/index.htm, etc.

• Resume Writing - rough draft, feedback, revision, hard copy and web version.
• On-line Career Exploration and Job Search - identify career options and employment opportunities.
• Communicating with Prospective Employers - initial contact, follow-up.
• Interviewing - preparation, knowledge about the job you are applying for, research the organization, effective interviewing techniques, STAR approach to answering behavioral interview questions.
• Evaluating Opportunities and Offers - consider short term and long term effects of your options, examine economic and non economic factors.

Professional Development II focuses extensively on practical application. Conducting the job search, resume writing,  interviewing, and evaluating opportunities are parts of an integrated process.  As each component of the course is examined, projects will be assigned to assist in the development of effective job search and network skills.
 

Each component of the course is awarded a specified number of points. After each component is completed and graded,  students are encouraged to make revisions as recommended by the instructor. All components, including revisions, are to be included in a portfolio, which will make up one third of the course grade.

You either now or soon will be employed and consequently are expected to display a professional attitude.  Therefore, each student is expected to behave in a professional manner.

Social Justice Statement

West Virginia University is committed to social justice.  WVU University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin.  I concur with this commitment and expect to foster a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination.

If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise the instructor and also make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services, 293-6700.

Academic Dishonesty

Instances of academic dishonesty will be handled by the issuance of a grade of unforgivable "F".  This includes evidence of cheating on exams, quizzes, homework assignments, etc. and is applied to both the individual using the work of another and the individual who allows his/her work to be used by another.  Please refer to the West Virginia University Student Handbook for information relating to academic dishonesty.

Portfolio

You are required to complete a portfolio of the work you perform in Professional Development II. The portfolio is due to the instructor on the last scheduled class period.  You may use a three ring binder or have it professionally bound at any WVU Copy Center location.  It must be neatly prepared, well organized, and include a cover page with your name; course number & title; day and time course meets.  It should be indexed as follows:

  I.    Resume draft & revision(s) - with final draft appearing first
  II.   Cover letter draft & revision(s) - with final draft appearing first
  III.  Thank you letter
  IV.  Mock Interview evaluation form
  V.   A chronological compilation of your Job Coach Memorandums
  VI.  Internet job search assignment, employer profiles / five job prospects
  VI.  FFJ Assignments A, B, C, D, F, and G.

The final draft of the resume, cover letter and thank you letter must be submitted on quality stock paper.  The final grade on your portfolio will be calculated on the number of points you are awarded for the quality and presentation of your work.  Particular attention will be directed to the format, accuracy (spelling, grammar) and appearance of the final drafts of your resume, cover letter, and thank you letter.

Attendance

You are entitled to one unexcused absence from class. For each additional unexcused absence, five points will be deducted from your cumulative point total.
 

Student Club Membership

Students are encouraged to become involved in at least one of the B&E student organizations, attend regularly scheduled meetings, and participate in special events.  Active involvement in professional student organizations supports the expansion of one's job network, personal and professional development.

Course Calendar

DATE	TOPIC	DUE FOR TODAY	HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS
01/17/02	Introduction to the course.  Understanding the hiring process. Buyer's vs. Seller's Market.	no assignment	Begin compiling a list of skills, past/current jobs, professional affiliations & other attributes for your resume.
01/24/02	Resume writing, types of resumes "Blueprint of a Resume"	Section 4.1/ 4.2 FFJ Chapter 1 KmD	n/a
01/31/02	Developing a good sales pitch: write the winning resume utilizing action verbs	FFJ Assignment A  in class	Write first draft of resume in Word or WordPerfect format.
02/07/02	The interviewing process.  Types of interviews. Interview questions.	Submit first draft of resume.  Section 4.4 FFJ  Chapter 14 KmD	FFJ Assignment B
02/14/02	Interviewing strategies using S.T.A.R. (Situation,Task, Action, Result) Dressing for Success	Progress report #1 Section 4.5 FFJ Chapter 15, 16 KmD	SIGN UP FOR MOCK INTERVIEWS "Professionally Speaking" seminar Sat. 2/16,  Lakeview C.C. 9:00 - 2:00
02/21/02	Interviewing strategies: Role Playing, behavioral, situational questions	no assignment	Begin researching your organization, industry and salary information for the mock interview! Revise first draft of resume
02/28/02	Interviewing video.  After the interview: The debriefing	Progress report #2 Submit second draft of resume Section 4.6 FFJ Chapter 20 KmD	FFJ Assignment C
03/07/02	The site/office visit & second interview. G.L.	Sections 4.7/4.11 FFJ	FFJ Assignment D - to be completed immediately after your mock interview
03/14/02	The electronic job search. Using the Internet to search for jobs.On-campus placement services.  B&E Internships & Employment.      Video	Progress report #3 Chapter 4 KmD	n/a
03/21/02	Meet in B&E Computer Lab B.  Registering with on-line job services.  The generic job description (person vs. job specifications).	Appendix A FFJ	Register and upload resume with monsterTrak.  [password = HUNT ] Locate five job prospects from the Internet relative to your qualifications.
03/28/02	Spring Break	Have Fun!	n/a
04/04/02	Business writing: winning cover letters,  executive briefings, thank you letters.	Progress report #4 Submit five job prospects  Section 4.3 FFJ Chapter 2 KmD	Write the first draft of cover letter for a position in your intended profession.  4/8  Lecture Series:  David Oreck, CEO Founder Oreck Corporation - Mountainlair
04/11/02	Paint the perfect picture on the phone.  Getting jobs leads from dead ends.	Submit first draft of cover letter	Write a thank you letter for your ideal job - to be completed after your mock interview.  4/17  B&E Lecture Series rm 458
04/18/02	Identifying job prospects and developing a job network.  Managing the job search. G.L.	Job search progress report #5 Submit thank you letter Sections 4.8/9/10 FFJ	FFJ Assignments F & G
04/25/02	Evaluating offers.  Salary surveys.	Sections 4.7/11/12 FFJ	n/a
05/02/02	Accepting the offer. Course wrap-up	Sections 4.12/13 FFJ  Chapters 23, 24, 25 KmD  Portfolio Due!	n/a

Course Requirements

Assignment	Points
Resume first draft	0 - 20
Resume second draft	0 - 20
monsterTRAK Registration (including resume posting)	0 - 10
Cover Letter	0 - 20
Thank You Letter	0 - 10
On-line Job Search (5 positions)	0 - 20
Electronic cover letter w/ resume attached	0 - 15
Bi-weekly job search progress reports	0 - 15
Mock Interview (professional dress required)	0 - 50
Lecture Series/Professional Seminar/Employment Panel	0 - 10
Job Fair (WVU or one of your choice)	0 - 10
Portfolio (including FFJ Assignments A, B, C, D, F & G)	0 - 100
TOTAL	300

Work turned in after the due date is subject to partial credit.

Course Grading

Point Range	Letter Grade
You qualify to land an excellent job     270 - 300	A
You qualify to land a good job            240 - 269	B
You qualify to land a job                     210 - 239	C
You qualify to work for Mickey D's    180 - 209	D
You qualify to live at home &              000 - 179 sponge off of your parents	F

Visit the College of Business & Economics at:  http://www.be.wvu.edu