Increasing Student Awareness of Professional Training Programs

Edward Freeman, Ph.D.

January 9, 2007

Course Description

• Practical skills necessary for professional success

• Written and oral communication to explore different career opportunities

• Gain an understanding of the detailed requirements to pursue a specific career

Emphasis

• Preparation to pursue graduate and professional studies leading to careers in science and the health professions.

Topics & Research Assignments

• choosing a career – 2 class sessions

http://home.sjfc.edu/CareerServices/majors/default.html

• Research and class discussions– “Career Tracks” listed and they place themselves (health care,

government, law, research etc.)

Research Assignment 1 • What do you want to do after you graduate

from college, what are your specific career goals?– What is the goal of the assignment?

Research Assignment 1 • What do you want to do after you graduate from

college, what are your specific career goals?

– To learn what makes each student tick…begin a dialogue about their needs & wants from career.

Research Assignment 2 Advanced Training program research

– What is the goal of the assignment?

Research Assignment 2 Advanced Training program research

– Researching training programs: practical skills and an understanding of what they should be considering based on their personalities, experiences, and where they are in life.

Research Assignment 3

• The Application Process - Requirements, Financial Considerations, and the Harsh Reality of Admission to Professional Programs– What is the goal of the assignment?

Research Assignment 3 • The Application Process - Requirements, Financial

Considerations, and the Harsh Reality of Admission to Professional Programs

– Application process – deadlines, navigate websites, read the “fine-print”

– Financing advanced education – sources of money and how much will they need for all years

– Backup plan – because sometimes students do not achieve their goals on the 1st try

Research Assignment 4

• This research assignment can be broken down into three distinct parts: – What is the goal of the assignment?

Research Assignment 4• This research assignment can be broken down

into three distinct parts:

– To understand what a CV or resume is and what is appropriate for their program of study (& make one)

– To consider who will write recommendation letters

– Entrance exam – what test, when, how to study, cost, retake options.

Research Assignment 5• Pulling All of Your Research Together

– What is the goal of the assignment?

Research Assignment 5

• Pulling All of Your Research Together

– Timeline – detailed consideration of what must be accomplished prior to entrance to the next program

• Courses and semesters• Entrance exams• Volunteer/shadowing experience• Application deadlines• Financial aid deadlines• When should advanced training be done (a reality

check!)

What Else do the Students Do?

• Mock Interview– Early November– Professionals– Professional etiquette and dress– Feedback

• Shadowing Document– Compilation of all relevant experience– OR description of importance of shadowing and plan

for how to “log some hours”