FRS 004 — Sec. 013 — (2 units) — CRN 73097 — R 11:00-1:00pm — 229 South Hall
Career Exploration

Instructor: Subhash Risbud, Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, College of Engineering

Description: Introduction to career development theories, work place culture and the career decision making process. Informal lectures, discussions and active classroom activities focus on self assessment, exploration of career options, goal setting, and self-marketing for internship/career opportunities. The course provides a framework for students as they navigate the career decision making process and supports them as they identify, evaluate, and refine academic and career paths. Goals of the seminar include: helping students understand and apply career development theories and practices; introducing students to the diversity of work place cultures; introducing students to career decision making process including self assessment, exploration of career options, goal setting, internship/job search and self marketing; and developing communication skills specific to employment including professional writing (cover letters, resumes) and verbal communication (interviews).

Format: The seminar will meet for two hours each week. Information will be provided through informal lectures, readings, discussion, and student presentations. Students will attend a career fair on campus to gain practice in obtaining career-related information and speaking with internship/career recruiters. One 2 hour seminar meeting will be devoted to students interviewing invited working professionals. Reading material will be provided; there is no text for the seminar. Grading: P/NP grading. Students will be evaluated on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussions (30%), oral presentation (25%), and three short (1-2 pages) essays (45%).

About the Instructor: Professor Risbud is a member of the faculty in the Department of CHMS. His research interests include the science, engineering and utilization of materials in products for the consumer and in technology. His teaching interests include increasing the awareness of everyone that attention to the cradle to grave "materials cycle" is fundamental to our survival and society depends on how we make, shape, and discard materials.