DS 103 – Career Development; Dynamics and Application

Teaches how to plan, establish, or change a career. Includes process of establishing or implementing career goals; assessment of values, interests and skills plus their relationship to occupations; analysis of labor market needs; identification of employers and sources of occupation information; and means of securing employment (resumes, applications and job interviews).

Materials:

• Montgomery College Catalog
• Montgomery College Credit Schedule of Classes
• Montgomery College Student Handbook

Students will:

• become familiar with the scope and importance of career and life planning
• increase self-awareness regarding career decisions through assessments that identify interests, values and skills as well as class activities.
• identify and modify personal beliefs and expectations about self as related to the world of work and life choices
• narrow career options and become familiar with various resources for career exploration
• learn efficient job seeking skills
• understand career development theories and use decision-making skills for life/career planning and management
• identify and understand how personal characteristics, e.g., interests, values, and skills, influence career development
• discover academic major and/or occupational alternatives in relation to personal characteristics
• learn about and use a variety of information resources to explore academic major or occupational options
• become oriented to the world of work as it impacts individual and family career systems;
• formulate action plans and strategies for moving toward implementation of life/career goals;
• expand knowledge of MC’s services and resources.

Grading and course requirements:  All assignments will be graded using a point system. Particular assignments will be worth more points than others. Note that Attendance and Participation are worth a substantial amount of points. Final grades will be calculated using the total amount of points received. All assignments must be completed in order to pass this course. Points will be awarded based on the following system:

If you have a disability that will require accommodation, please make your request known. I am reasonably sure we can work out whatever arrangements are necessary, be it special seating, testing, or other accommodations. If you have not already contacted the Disability Support Services Office, please do so to obtain a letter authorizing your accommodations.

Course Expectations:

• Students are encouraged and expected to attend each scheduled class meeting and participate actively in class activities and discussions. In the event that a student is unable to attend a class meeting, within good reason (e.g., emergencies, illness, religious observances, etc.), appropriate notice should be given to the instructor via email, phone, and/or in person. The student is responsible for making up the work that was missed or due on that day. Please note that in accordance with Montgomery College Policy, a one-credit course allows for only one unexcused absence. More than one unexcused absence may result in a lower grade. Three unexcused absences may result in the student being dropped from the class with a failing grade.

• Students are expected to complete and turn in all assignments on time, unless previous arrangements have been made with the instructor. Late submission of an assignment, regardless of the reason, could result in a lower grade or no grade all.
   
• Students are expected to be respectful of themselves, their peers, classroom guests, and the instructor. Moreover, confidentiality is essential; some personal information may be discussed or shared in this classroom and should stay in this classroom. Therefore, nothing should be discussed with anyone outside of this classroom.
   
• Students are expected to turn cell phones and similar electronic devices off or to the vibrate function during class. If a student is expecting an emergency phone call, please inform the instructor at the beginning of class.
   
• Students are expected to abide by the policies and procedures set forth in the Montgomery College Student Code of Conduct document: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/studev/activities.html

Audit: Students auditing this class are required to complete all assignments, attend class regularly, and take all exams. While no grade will be recorded, the student is expected to participate in class activities as if he/she was being graded.

Attendance and Participation: You are expected to attend all class sessions. It is your responsibility to confer with your instructor in the event of a necessary absence. Going to each and every class prepared to learn is one of the keystones of success in a college class.

Classroom Conduct: The College seeks to provide an environment where discussion and expression of all views relevant to the subject matter of the class are recognized as necessary to the educational process. However, students do not have the right to interfere with the freedom of the faculty to teach or the rights of other students to learn. All students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct as it appears in the MC Student Handbook on the web. www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/academicevp/Student_PandP.htm

 

Emergency Class Cancellation Policy: If inclement weather or other emergencies forces the College or any campus or College facility to suspend classes or close, public service announcements will be provided to local radio and television stations as early as possible. If you have checked several stations and have not heard an announcement, you may call the numbers listed below or go to our Web site for closing information:

• Montgomery County Emergency Information Line ...........................301-217-8800
• Montgomery College’s Institutional Advancement Office .................240-567-5310
• Montgomery College Web Site..................................www.montgomerycollege.edu

 

Religious Observances : In the event that a student needs to miss class and as a result an assignment for religious reasons, please give the instructor reasonable notice (i.e., a week or more) and the appropriate accommodations can be made. However, it is the student’s responsibility to make up for the work she or he missed.  

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism : When completing assignments, students are expected to create original pieces of work, without the help of others unless they are otherwise notified, and cite the literature they used themes, ideas, concepts, etc. from. For more information on academic dishonesty and plagiarism please consult the Montgomery College Policy on Academic Integrity:

http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/verified/pnp/42001.doc

Also, read about Academic Integrity and How to Avoid Plagiarism at:
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/ctl/Resources/teachingtips/academic_integrity.htm 

Syllabus Amendments : The instructor reserves the right to make any necessary changes, whether they are additions or submissions of assignments, as he sees fit. However, students will be notified of any changes that make occur in a reasonable amount of time.