Internship - Exploring Career Choices (HWP 257 Syllabus)

Below is a sample syllabus for Internship - Exploring Career Choices (HWP 257)
If you are interested in taking the class in the future, please contact Tommasanne Davis in the Career Center at: tdavis4@unca.edu or 828.232.5099.

Spring 2012: Tuesdays 9:25-10:40am, GH 278

Career Center Website
Ramsey Library (UNC Asheville)
One Port

Course Description

This course is designed for students participating in exploratory internships to clarify and/or advance their career goals.  Its provides a structured and guided learning environment to help students make the most of their internship experience.  Course components facilitate students’ professional development, focusing on the transition from the role of a student to the role of a professional. Students must arrange an internship placement prior to the start of the course and are encouraged to meet with the Career Center's Internship Coordinator, Tommasanne Davis, prior to enrolling in the course.  All majors and academic levels are welcome to enroll.   Although the Career Center does not provide internship placements, we offer assistance and resources to assist you with that process.

Office Hours

Call 828.251.6515 (main office) or 828.232.5099 to schedule appointments with Tommasanne Davis, Internship & Employer Relations Coordinator. You can also reach Tommasanne by email at tdavis4@unca.edu. The Career Center is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Feel free to stop by and take advantage of all of our services. We also have a tremendous amount of career information on our website at career.unca.edu

Student Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing this course will be able to...

1. Effectively utilize your internship as a means to further clarify your career goals.
2. Begin the transition from the role of a student to the role of a professional.
3. Learn how to create a portfolio that will serve as a marketing tool during your job search process.
4. Synthesize information from a variety of resources to define and evaluate your career goals.
5. Better understand the value and benefits of a liberal arts education in the modern world of work.

Grading Scale

Points will be assigned for course components. Total possible points = 600

Liability Insurance

As a participant in this course, you are eligible for general and professional liability insurance sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Insurance Agents. This is a special service available to our students on a cost per-semester basis. The cost is approximately $15.75 per semester. Participation is strictly voluntary unless required by the employer. Specific information for students who are interested in this program can be obtained from: Andrea Jackson, Fixed Asset Accountant, Phillips Hall Room 212, 828.251.6560

Course Requirements

Need help approaching an employer about an internship? View Tips for Approaching Employers.

Overview of what to do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER your internship.

Before Class starts complete the Agreement Form, have your site supervisor sign and return to Tommasanne Davis in the Career Center, 259 Highsmith Union.

Sample Assignments from previous semesters:

• 50 Points - Complete an Internship Proposal (must be typed) and Code of Conduct & Confidentiality . You may view a sample proposal Here!
• 70 Points - Attendance/Class Participation – Students will actively engage in all class discussions and activities. Attendance is required! Students will also submit brief weekly updates at each class meeting connecting classroom discussions/lecture information with internship activities.
• 100 Points - Internship Attendance/Performance – Students are required to spend a minimum of 5 hours per week (14 weeks of internship work totals a minimum of 70 hours) at their internship site and will receive a mid-term and final evaluation by their site supervisor. The mid-term evaluation is worth 25 points and the final evaluation is worth 25 points. It will only work to your advantage to spend as much time at your internship site as possible. Remember, this is a learning experience! Students will complete at least 70 contact hours at the internship site. Complete a Time Log (worth 50 points) documenting the work performed and time spent at the internship site.
•  50 Points  - Attend at least two Career Center sponsored events, one of which will be the Spring Internship and Job Fair.
•  25 Points  - Complete MBTI and STRONG Assessments, or FOCUS.
• 30 Points -  Complete a mock interview in the Career Center with a Career Counselor. Turn in a completed Mock Interview Evaluation Form. If you would like to have your interview recorded to watch later, bring a flash drive with you to the mock interview. Call 828-251-6515 or stop by 259 Highsmith Union to schedule an appointment. Schedule early as counselor schedules fill up quickly! Review the Interviewing Skills Basics Guide.
• 150 Points - Portfolio – Students will learn how to develop a portfolio and create their own portfolios, including but not limited to materials from their internship experience. At least three examples of work from the internship should be included.
• 50 points - In-class Presentation – Students will learn how to use their portfolios as critical marketing tools by presenting them to the class.
• 50 points - Informational Interview – Students will do an informational interview with a professional in their field of interest and submit notes from the interview as outlined on the Informational Interview/Career Exploration handout. Also be prepared to discuss results in class.
•  25 points - Student Evaluation of Employer – Your feedback is important to us in order to be able to better serve UNC Asheville students in the future!

Academic Integrity

Any act of plagiarism (quoting or paraphrasing the information and/or language of a source without naming the source) or cheating is academic dishonesty. A person who knowingly assists another in cheating is likewise guilty of cheating. The results of these unethical behaviors range in punishment from a failing grade or a grade of zero for the assignment or test, to a failing grade in the course.

Attendance & Expectations

This class will operate under a seminar format. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE! The class may include class discussions, activities, outside assignments, guest speakers, readings and reflection.

Class participation is imperative! As this class is designed to be experiential in nature, you will only benefit if you are in attendance and actively participating. Participation will be graded according to attendance, preparation of reading or other assignments, and level of participation in class.

This class qualifies to meet once a week for a 75 minute class based on the internship nature of the class. In order to justify the two credits awarded for this class, students are also responsible for documenting hours of work completed with the employer through the time log assignment.

Sample Class Schedule:

Week 1 - Introductions, Review Syllabus and Assignments
Week 2 - Self-Assessment: Personality
Week 3 - Self- Assessment: Interests
Week 4 -Self-Assessment: Skills, & About Informational Interviews
Week 5 - Self Assessment: Work/Values
Week 6 - Resumes & Cover Letters
Week 7 - Resume Reviews
Week 8 - Assessment Debrief and Activities
SPRING BREAK! - NO CLASS
Week 9 - Preparing for a Job Fair, and Networking
Week 10 - Interviewing Skills & Professional Dress
Week 11 -  Internship & Job Fair Participation
Week 12 - Job Search Strategies 
Week 13 -  "The Future You" Creative Activity
Week 14 -Portfolio Presentations and Closing Activity
Week 15 - Reading Day, no class meeting
Final Exam Date To Be Announced