SPRING 2015 ASSIGNMENTS
Class discussion for 1st meeting:
Online Monday 2/2: Become familiar with the Weebly site. Log-in as editors and post your first blog post. Respond to the first set of readings by class time Wednesday.
Boz 130 Wednesday 2/4 Class discussion leader is Jackson: Please read the following and respond on the blog before Wednesday's class. Don't feel like you have to respond to all of them. Read all of them, but focus on the one(s) for discussion on the blog that stand out to you the most.
Shoot for at least 250 words (but you're writers, so I expect more).
"The best-paying writing jobs"
The Cover Letters That Make Hiring Managers Smile (Then Call You)
"Create BUZZ for your unpublished book," (This article offers advice for writers on self-publishing their books)
How to Find High Paying Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners
Online Monday 2/9: Reading theme this week will focus primarily on job preparedness (resumés, interviewing, as well as the job market and earning potential for writers.
Boz 130 Wednesday 2/11 Class discussion leader is Prof. Mangini: Have your resumé printed out and bring it to class today.
Online Monday 2/16: Reading theme this week will focus primarily on branding and selling yourself, cover letters.
Boz 130 Wednesday 2/18 Class discussion leaders are Rob and Liz: Bring a sample cover letter applying to your dream internship or future job. I encourage you to find an actual job that you would like to apply to.
Online Monday 2/23: Reading theme this week will focus primarily on publishing, manuscript writing, getting your writing into the world, query letters, and of course, rejection.
Wednesday 2/25 Class discussion leader is Christian:
Online Monday 3/2: By today, you should have your Career page posted to Careers 2015 tab. Please respond to these as your final group shared entry.
Online by April 13:
Post the following final versions (under the appropriate category on the course page):
- General introductions: tell us about yourself.
- What are your goals (career-wise) for the nest 5, 10, 15+ years?
- Do you want to pursue graduate school? What kind of program?
- Have you researched schools?
- Review the "Readings" tab. Which readings stand out to you? Which readings would you want to avoid? You can copy/paste titles.
Online Monday 2/2: Become familiar with the Weebly site. Log-in as editors and post your first blog post. Respond to the first set of readings by class time Wednesday.
Boz 130 Wednesday 2/4 Class discussion leader is Jackson: Please read the following and respond on the blog before Wednesday's class. Don't feel like you have to respond to all of them. Read all of them, but focus on the one(s) for discussion on the blog that stand out to you the most.
Shoot for at least 250 words (but you're writers, so I expect more).
"The best-paying writing jobs"
The Cover Letters That Make Hiring Managers Smile (Then Call You)
"Create BUZZ for your unpublished book," (This article offers advice for writers on self-publishing their books)
How to Find High Paying Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners
Online Monday 2/9: Reading theme this week will focus primarily on job preparedness (resumés, interviewing, as well as the job market and earning potential for writers.
- Seven Things to Know Before Writing Your First Resume
- Recruiter Roundtable: First Resumes
- What is a CV?
Boz 130 Wednesday 2/11 Class discussion leader is Prof. Mangini: Have your resumé printed out and bring it to class today.
Online Monday 2/16: Reading theme this week will focus primarily on branding and selling yourself, cover letters.
- How To Show You Get The Company Culture In Your Cover Letter (I suggest clicking on and reading the recommended/related articles within, but it's not required reading);
- Why ‘optional’ cover letters aren’t really optional
- Cover Letter Samples
- TAKE YOUR AUTHOR WEBSITE TO THE NEXT LEVEL (applicable to your web sites in general)
- "The buzz on social media."
- What Employers Look For In Your Online Profiles
- "How to keep your online reputation in check," (Short read bout 'Brand Yourself'
- "5 Ways to Build Strong Networking Connections"
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL READING:
Boz 130 Wednesday 2/18 Class discussion leaders are Rob and Liz: Bring a sample cover letter applying to your dream internship or future job. I encourage you to find an actual job that you would like to apply to.
Online Monday 2/23: Reading theme this week will focus primarily on publishing, manuscript writing, getting your writing into the world, query letters, and of course, rejection.
- How to write a query letter by John Hewitt
- The Query Trap by John Sassone
- "9 first-sale mistakes to avoid" (a must-read)
- "Why we pick ourselves up after getting rejected"
- "DEBUT NOVELISTS on what it takes."
- "Bypass obstacles to traditional publication." (discusses the book publishing industry and self-publishing)
- Make your Own Niche:How to Create a Writing Specialty By Kelly James-Enger
- The Writer's Life by Thomas Turner
- How to promote your writing even if it's never been published
- Mark Twain on First Getting Published (1906)
Wednesday 2/25 Class discussion leader is Christian:
Online Monday 3/2: By today, you should have your Career page posted to Careers 2015 tab. Please respond to these as your final group shared entry.
Online by April 13:
Post the following final versions (under the appropriate category on the course page):
- Updated resumé or CV
- A polished cover letter for your dream job or a specific internship
- Links to at least three social networking sites that you have joined for career or profession-networking purposes
- Reflective Letter/Narrative
FALL 2014 ASSIGNMENTS
Monday, October 6
Assign
Mock Interviews-- additional questions:
Wednesday, September 24
Discussion questions from Sarah:
1. What background story can you use in your cover letter that will tell your potential future employer how you uniquely and personally relate to their company/product/work?
2. How will you show that you'll fit in with your future coworkers?
3. Do you think it's okay to lie on your cover letter about something if you think it will make you look like you fit in?
Ex: Lie about liking sports when you really hate them.
4. What is one situation you've faced as an employee that can help you promote yourself to a new employer?
5. What would you tell your interviewer your greatest weakness is?
6. What questions would you ask your interviewer when they ask if you have any questions?
7. What is the hardest interview question you've ever been asked?
Discussion Questions from Mia:
1) When writing a resume would you focus more on your education or your experience as a worker?
2) In what types of jobs do you think it would be appropriate to have a more creative resume, rather then the standard looking one?
3) What parts of your resume do you think need fixing or tweaking?
4) Would you consider creating a CV? Would it be helpful for your future career goals?
5) Do you think the most important part of creating your resume is selling yourself for the job (showing that you are worth it and prepared)?
6) All in all do you feel comfortable with your resume and how it reflects you and your goals?
Monday, September 8:
Class discussion leader is Zach
Discuss readings and Zach's discussion questions (on the board)
Assign
Mock Interviews-- additional questions:
- What salary do you feel you deserve?
- Why did you leave your previous employer, or why are you leaving your present job?
- What can you tell me about our company and/or industry?
- What sets you apart from other applicants?
- What else would you like to add about yourself?
Wednesday, September 24
Discussion questions from Sarah:
1. What background story can you use in your cover letter that will tell your potential future employer how you uniquely and personally relate to their company/product/work?
2. How will you show that you'll fit in with your future coworkers?
3. Do you think it's okay to lie on your cover letter about something if you think it will make you look like you fit in?
Ex: Lie about liking sports when you really hate them.
4. What is one situation you've faced as an employee that can help you promote yourself to a new employer?
5. What would you tell your interviewer your greatest weakness is?
6. What questions would you ask your interviewer when they ask if you have any questions?
7. What is the hardest interview question you've ever been asked?
Discussion Questions from Mia:
1) When writing a resume would you focus more on your education or your experience as a worker?
2) In what types of jobs do you think it would be appropriate to have a more creative resume, rather then the standard looking one?
3) What parts of your resume do you think need fixing or tweaking?
4) Would you consider creating a CV? Would it be helpful for your future career goals?
5) Do you think the most important part of creating your resume is selling yourself for the job (showing that you are worth it and prepared)?
6) All in all do you feel comfortable with your resume and how it reflects you and your goals?
Monday, September 8:
- The decision to blog/do Weebly
- Sign up for days to lead class discussion
Sign up for the career you want to present on
- Look at "Ask 7 Questions Before Applying to Graduate School" as a group and respond to questions 1-6.
- Write down your goals for immediately after graduation-- then 5 years after that-- then 10. Then fast forward to retirement. What do you want to accomplish by then?
Class discussion leader is Zach
Discuss readings and Zach's discussion questions (on the board)