Course Syllabus
Title of Course Navigating Business Careers
HBM 105
Semester and Year [tbd]
Number of Credit Hours [2]
Prerequisites: B_A 100 with a C or better; MATH 106, 140, 171, 172, 182, 201, 202, or concurrent enrollment allowed, or ALEKS score of 80% or higher
Course Details
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [tbd]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
Establish and clarify major/career goals through career assessments and research on job expectations, employment trends, and essential skills. Develop actionable goals and plans to enhance career success. Focus on professional development, including the hiring process, resume/cover letter writing, interview strategies, networking, and online branding.
Course Materials
Books: [N/A]
Other Materials:
Canvas (canvas.wsu.edu)-This is a learning management system that provides details of assigned readings and activities for each class session along with links to supplementary readings and other relevant information. Please read the assignment for each class in Canvas carefully for this information.
FOCUS 2 (https://www.focus2career.com/Portal/Login.cfm?SID=977 )-This is a Career assessment and exploration tool that we will use to determine, evaluate, and reflect on our interests, skills, personality, values, and other important aspects of ourselves for career development.
Fees: [N/A]
Learning Outcomes:
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At the end of this course, you should be able to: |
Course modules that address these learning outcomes: |
This outcome will be evaluated primarily by: |
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Analyze personal and career options using data gathered through assessments and research. |
● Learn about YOU ● Majors, Employer Expectations & Professionalism, and Careers, Industries |
● Class discussions ● Class activities ● Written assignments ● Final essay |
|
Develop career goals that connect personal and career goals, based on data and research findings. Develop an actionable plan for achieving these goals. |
● Employer Expectations & Professionalism ● Planning & Goal Setting |
● Written assignments ● Class discussions |
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Understand professional expectations and begin developing professional attributes. |
● Employer Expectations & Professionalism ● Planning & Goal Setting |
● Career Conversation ● Class Presentations |
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Demonstrate the communication skills needed to write a compelling essay explaining the rationale for your major & career decision. |
● Putting It All Together |
● Final essay ● Class discussions |
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1. Identify, assess, and initiate opportunities to create value.
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● Employer Expectations & Professionalism
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● Class discussions ● Class activities ● Written assignments ● Final essay |
COURSE SCHEDULE:
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Dates And Lesson Topic |
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Assignments and Activities |
Assessment |
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WEEK 1 |
Day |
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|
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Learn about YOU |
1 |
Syllabus review |
Syllabus review; Discussion about the WHY behind this class & learning goals: NACE competencies/Chaos Theory/Psychology of Career Decisions Video (https://youtu.be/4e6KSaCxcHs?feature=shared); Wandering Map activity |
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2 |
Carson Career Amplifier Overview |
Carson Career Amplifier Overview - How-to basics & the importance of using your careeg goals to drive Amplifier activity selections. |
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WEEK 2 |
Day |
|
|
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Learn about YOU (continued) |
1 |
Discussion: Dependable Strengths and Yosso's Framework of Cultural Wealth |
Career Assessment Discussion & Activity Options: Dependable Strengths, Yosso's Framework of Cultural Wealth, Transferrable skills, Possible Lives/activities from DYL |
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|
2 |
FOCUS2 Assessment |
FOCUS2 Assessment, Holland Code activity, O*Net occupation research unsing Holland Code |
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WEEK 3 |
Day |
|
|
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Majors, Careers, Industries |
1 |
Discussion: CCB major introduction |
Discussion: CCB major introduction |
|
|
2 |
SWOT self analysis activity |
SWOT self analysis activity |
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WEEK 4 |
Day |
|
|
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Employer Expectations & Professionalism |
1 |
Career conversations activity |
Career conversations assignment & essay |
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|
2 |
Industry Professionals Panel |
Industry Professionals Panel |
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WEEK 5 |
Day |
|
|
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Planning & Goal Setting |
1 |
Action plans (discussion/activity) |
Revisit Wandering maps, Discussion: Career development process (SWOT: Your areas needing growth/development - how does ths impact your action plan & Amplifier choices?) |
|
|
2 |
SMART goals (discussion/activity) |
SMART goals (discussion/activity) |
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WEEK 6 |
Day |
|
|
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Articulate Decisions & Rationale |
1 |
Revisit Wandering maps |
Action plans (discussion/activity) |
|
|
2 |
Elevator pitch activity |
How to effectively articulate your WHY. How can you make this evident in your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, networking conversations & interview |
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WEEK 7 |
Day |
|
|
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Job/Internship Search Strategy |
1 |
Career mapping activity |
Elevator pitch activity |
|
|
2 |
Job posting analysis (discussion/activity) |
Career mapping activity |
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WEEK 8 |
Day |
|
|
|
Resumes, Cover Letters, References |
1 |
Discussion: Resume basics |
Job posting analysis (discussion/activity) |
|
|
2 |
Discussion: how to use AI tools for resume/cover letter writing |
Discussion: Resume basics, Master Resume, Importance of References |
|
WEEK 9 |
Day |
|
|
|
Networking |
1 |
Discussion: building your brand |
Discussion: how to use AI tools for resume/cover letter writing |
|
|
2 |
Discussion: networking basics |
Discussion: buiding your brand, both online and in-person |
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WEEK 10 |
Day |
|
|
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Interviewing |
1 |
Discussion: Interviewing basics, STAR approach activity |
Discussion: networking basics (online & in person) |
|
|
2 |
Mock interviews |
Discussion: Interviewing basics, STAR approach activity (including strategies for different types of interviewers like digital, online, technical, etc.) |
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WEEK 11 |
Day |
|
|
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Leadership/Professionalism/Emotional Intelligence |
1 |
Discussion: Introduction to leadership concepts, emotional intelligence, and professional growth |
Mock interview or interview practice activity |
|
|
2 |
NACE competencies reintroduced and from the employer's perspective, Discussion: salary negotiation |
Professionalism Discussion: Emotional intelligence, communication/interpersonal communication in a business setting, and professional growth |
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WEEK 12 |
Day |
|
|
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Researching Companies |
1 |
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How-To conduct Company Research. Conversation & practice |
|
|
2 |
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Company Research Deep Dive & Share out |
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WEEK 13 |
Day |
|
|
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Reflection & Refinement |
1 |
|
Industry speaker |
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2 |
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Reflection - How does your Career Goals & Action Plan from Week 5 need to be adjusted based on what you now know? How does your Amplifier selections and focus change? |
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WEEK 14 |
Day |
|
|
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Reflection & Refinement |
1 |
|
NACE competencies reintroduced and from the employer's perspective |
|
|
2 |
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Fine-tuning your WHY - practice session. How does this come across in a networking conversation? In your LinkedIn profile? On a cover letter? |
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WEEK 15 |
Day |
|
|
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Putting it all together |
1 |
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Evidence of Learning: Compiling your Portfolio |
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2 |
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Same as above |
Expectations for Student Effort
Please visit me during office hours or contact me via email (Butchthecougar@wsu.edu) with questions you have about assignments, due dates, or this class. I will do my best to respond to emails within 24 to 48 hours during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. During busy times in the semester, my response time may be slower. I appreciate your patience!
Class Expectations:
- Treat this class like a job.
- If you are not going to be in class, email me and let me know before the class.
- Attendance and participation in class assignments/quizzes will occur randomly. This will be the class contribution grade, attendance, & participation
- Understand why you are here and why you are doing the assignments.
- You may never get the opportunity to explore yourself in such a concrete way again, so make sure you take the time YOU deserve. This class is what you put into it.
- Be honest with yourself in the self-reflection of your interests, strengths, and abilities. Be prepared to discover things about yourself that you may not want to know. Keep an open mind.
Grading
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Class Contribution & Attendance | 35 | 35% |
| Homework Assignments | 35 | 35% |
| Final Portfolio | 30 | 30% |
Grading for this Class
Your final grade for this class will be based on three criteria: Class Contribution & Attendance, Homework Assignments, and your final portfolio. Grades for all assignments will be posted to Canvas as they are completed. I will do my best to grade assignments and get them updated in Canvas as soon as possible. Grading percentages are listed in the table below. Please note that grades will not be rounded.
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 93.00 or above | C | 73.00 – 77.99 |
| A- | 90.00 - 92.99 | C- | 70.00 – 72.99 |
| B+ | 88.00 - 89.99 | D+ | 68.00 – 69.99 |
| B | 83.00 - 87.99 | D | 60.00 – 67.99 |
| B- | 80.00 – 82.99 | F | 0 – 59.99 |
| C+ | 78.00 – 79.99 |
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Attendance Policy: This class will meet twice a week for 15 weeks. You will have assignments given and collected in numerous classes. If you are not in class, you will miss assignments and will not be there to contribute to or learn from the discussion. You are allowed to miss one day with no penalty, no questions asked. The last class is also optional to give you more time to write compile your portfolio. When you miss class, there is no way to make up your contributions for that missed class, as it is hard to recreate experiences after the fact. I understand that circumstances may arise which make it impossible for you to attend. For example, if you are unable to attend a class due to health-related reasons. I expect you to inform me about your absence in advance.
Makeup/Late Work Policies:
Students should make every effort to turn in homework assignments by the assigned deadline or before if you plan to be absent on the day the assignment is due. Students are allowed to turn in homework assignments late for half credit with my approval.
IMPORTANT - ONE excused missed class CAN ONLY be used for one class. After this if you are not there to complete the participation assignment, you will not receive credit for it. Any late homework assignments will be accepted for half credit. You will need to be in attendance on the last in person class of the term in order to participate in the Peer Reviews. If you cannot be in attendance on this day due to any circumstances, please communicate with me as early as possible, so we can come up with a plan to complete this assignment. Extenuating circumstances and make up arrangements will be left to the discretion of the instructor and will be considered on a case by case basis. Previous attendance and completion of past assignments will be taken into consideration when offering a make-up option for the Peer Review.
Academic Integrity Statement
All members of the university community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Students are responsible for understanding the full Academic Integrity Statement found here. Students who violate WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy (identified in WAC 504-26-010(3) and -404) will receive fail this course and will not have the option to withdraw from the course pending an appeal, and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. If you have any questions about what is and is not allowed in this course, you should ask course instructors.
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.