Course Syllabus
Course: GNST 1500
Division: Administrative Division
Department: General Studies
Title: Career Decisions
Semester Approved: Fall 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
End Semester: Summer 2029
Catalog Description: Students will gain skills and confidence in exploring potential careers in this course. They will also discover matching majors and a professional & career path that will correspond to their skills and abilities, and also values and personal preferences. Students may register for Career Decisions in face-to-face or online sections. Students will participate in a variety of lectures, discussions, group projects, activities. They will also do personality assessments which will show them some of their top strengths and articulate their strengths and skills for better results in job placement or continuing education outcomes.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 1; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Justification: The course allows students to gain skills to enhance work experience and to develop a plan for the future. As the Snow College Aspirational Statement reads, "Students who find Snow College will find themselves" and this course provides this basic foundation for those successes.Nearly 60 percent of the Snow College graduating class has a degree in "General Studies." The majority of students who successfully complete the course declare a major or add a certificate of proficiency to show competency in workplace skills and improve their plans for career attainment. This course is needed to help students gather important information they’ll need to make informed decisions about their desired career path and education major. It results in better career placement outcomes and also better planning outcomes to take the prerequisites courses necessary for an efficient transfer if they choose to continue at a 4-year institution.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will progress toward self-knowledge and values in relation to careers. Students will clarify and narrow their careers that they are seriously considering. Students will demonstrate progress through classroom or online discussion participation, written papers, and assignments. Students will complete assessments such as the Focus2Careers assessment and the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment. Students will demonstrate progress through reflection papers and a small group workshop on individualized strengths results.
Students will be able to discuss ethics, values and bias and the role they play in selecting a career path. Students will demonstrate an understanding of ethics and bias through classroom participation, assignments and a reflection paper.
Students will understand the interview process. Students will demonstrate understanding of the interview process through classroom participation, interview activity, written paper and worksheets. They will also incorporate their individualized strengths results into their interviews to better articulate their skills and values.
Students will be able to create a professional cover letter and resume. Students will create/outline their own cover letter and resume using their knowledge, skills, abilities and values and incorporate their individualized strengths results into their documents.
Students will know online job search tools such as Focus2Careers, Utah Department of Workforce Services Labor Reports, and Department of Labor Occupational Outlook. Students will demonstrate an understanding of these resources through class participation, assignments, and a research paper.
Content:
The course has several modules that each address one or more of these career and personal development skills: Career & Self-Development – You identify and discuss your skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to your career goals. Communication – You clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts and perspectives to others. You practice writing and editing clearly and effectively. Critical Thinking – You identify and respond to needs based on situational context and logical analysis to make decisions and overcome problems. Equality & Inclusion – You demonstrate openness, inclusiveness, and sensitivity. You interact respectfully with all people. Leadership - You recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. You inspire, persuade, and motivate yourself and others. Professionalism/Work Ethic – You understand that work environments differ greatly and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community/workplace. You act with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization. Teamwork/Collaboration– You build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities. You exercise the ability to compromise, manage conflict, and show respect. Technology – You adapt to new technologies and leverage them ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.Specific modules could include1. Introduction to Career Decisions and building a classroom community of learners (Palloff & Pratt, 2007)2. Creating Happiness and self-fulfillment3. Focus2Career Assessment of Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Values and Hobbies which match Careers and Majors4. CliftonStrengths Assessment and insights into Top 5 Strengths (Gallup, 2017)5. Ethics & Values. Self-assessment related to the 8 Career & Personal Development competencies listed above (National Association of Colleges & Employers, (2023)6. Resumes & Cover Letters7. LinkedIn Profiles and Networking8. Interview Skills
Key Performance Indicators:
All percentages or scoring are approximate and point values will vary at the discretion of the instructor.
Classroom Participation/Attendance 25 to 30%
Writing Assignments, online assignments 30 to 50%
Group Projects/Presentations or Activities 20 to 50%
Personality and Career Assessments 25 to 50%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
CliftonStrengths for Students assessment code which also includes free ebook, CliftonStrengths for Students, Your Strengths Journey Begins Here (Gallup, 2017)
Focus2Careers, cloud-based assessment, subscription provided by Snow College Library.
Online sites: Focus2Careers, DOL Occupational Outlook Handbook, Utah Department of Workforce Services Labor Reports and Badger Handshake
National Association of Colleges and Employers, NACE Competencies, 2023
Pedagogy Statement:
The course consists of lectures, discussions, classroom activities and assessments related to self-awareness, personality, values and ethics, choosing college majors, professional development, career development and job search skills, creation of leadership opportunities and information relating to the world of work. We emphasize all eight of the NACE Competencies but with a special emphasis on these for skills with the following outcomes: Equality & Inclusion – You demonstrate openness, inclusiveness, and sensitivity. You interact respectfully with all people. Leadership - You recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. You inspire, persuade, and motivate yourself and others. Professionalism/Work Ethic – You understand that work environments differ greatly and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community/workplace. You act with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization. Teamwork/Collaboration– You build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities. You exercise the ability to compromise, manage conflict, and show respect. Technology – You adapt to new technologies and leverage them ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Online
Maximum Class Size: 30
Optimum Class Size: 25
