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SYM 120 001: Major & Career Exploration (1 credit)

Course Syllabus Fall 2016

Instructor

Jena Mahne, MS

Career Counselor

414-930-3396

mahnej@mtmary.edu

Student Success Center HL 129

Office Hours: by appointment

Class Meetings

Class will meet Thursdays from 3-3:50PM in Notre Dame Hall, RM 137

Course Description

This course is designed for students who are interested in gaining clarity about their career path and

choosing a major. It is strongly recommended for first year students who are still exploring or

questioning their major. Students will engage in a developmental process of self-assessment, discussion,

information gathering, decision making and goal setting to produce a successful career plan.

Course Objectives

Throughout the semester, students will:

Develop and articulate an understanding of self, including personality traits, interests, skills and

values.

Gain knowledge of resources for exploring career options and gather career information.

Become familiar with Mount Mary major and minor offerings, and what you can do with each major.

Acquire and demonstrate decision-making and goal-setting techniques.

Develop a plan of next-steps leading to a choice of major and/or career path

Etiquette Expectations

It is the expectation of the instructor that all students conduct themselves in a professional manner. When

inappropriate behavior is displayed (i.e., cell phone use during class including texting, arriving late to

class or from breaks, talking while another person is speaking, disrespect toward another individual in

the class, etc.), this will be addressed with the student to promote professionalism. Issues that are not

remediated immediately by the students will result in further action.

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Absence Policy

It is expected that students will attend class and arrive on time for class. If the student must miss class,

they are granted excused absences (sick, emergency, religious observation, etc.) at the instructor’s

discretion. Unexcused absences will result in a loss of percentage towards the student’s grade, based on

the weight of the in-class activity the student missed, unless the student makes up the activity. For

example, if a student misses week 6 (10/6) and does not notify the instructor with proper documentation,

5% of her grade will be lost until she is able to make up the Values Assessment activity.

Course Requirements and Grading

Assignments Percentage of Grade

Assessments

MBTI

SII

Skills

Values

20% total

5%

5%

5%

5%

In-class Activities

Life Roles Rainbow

MMU Majors

Career Grid

Decision-Making

SMART Goals

40% total

10%

10%

10%

5%

5%

Report

Informational Interview

Presentation (~5 min)

20% total

15%

5%

Final Project

My Plan Portfolio, Timeline

1:1, 30 Minute Meeting

20% total

15%

5%

*NOTE: for every day an assignment is late, 5 points will be deducted from grade.

MBTI – 5%

Fully complete and submit assessment.

SII – 5%

Fully complete and submit assessment.

Skills – 5%

Complete “Career Skills” assessment on CareerLocker and submit summary of “My Choices.”

Values – 5% Complete values card sort and worksheet.

Life Roles Rainbow – 10%

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Complete Life Roles Rainbow diagram and answer reflective questions.

MMU Majors – 10%

Research and complete MMU majors grid worksheet using “What Can I Do With This Major?”

Career Grid – 10%

Research and complete career grid worksheet using O*net Online, Occupational Outlook Handbook,

Career Locker etc.

Decision-Making – 5%

Discover decision-making style and apply to SMART Goals.

SMART Goals – 5%

Complete SMART goals worksheet.

Informational Interview Report – 20%

Conduct an informational interview with a professional in a field of interest and present findings to the

class.

My Plan Portfolio/1:1 Meeting – 20%

Compile a personal portfolio utilizing the information gained through the course and assignments.

Summarize and connect information about yourself and career/major options to create a career plan,

timeline and/or next step(s). Meet with instructor 1:1 for 30 minutes to discuss plan.

Grades

Final grades will be determined according to the following scale:

A 95-100%

AB 90-94%

B 85-89%

BC 80-84%

C 75-79%

CD 70-74%

D 65-69%

F 64% and below

Accessibility Statement

Mount Mary University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which stipulates

that the University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. If

you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may

require accommodations; please see us or Marci Ocker, Coordinator of Accessibility Services so that

such accommodations may be arranged. Marci can be reached at 414-930-3368. Her email is

ockerm@mtmary.edu. The Accessibility Services Coordinator’s office is located in the Student

Success Center on the first floor of Haggerty Library, room 124.

Academic Honesty and Integrity Statement

Mount Mary University is an academic community dedicated to the intellectual and social and ethical

development of each of its members. As members of this community we all are responsible for

maintaining an atmosphere of mutual respect and honesty.

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Standards for academic integrity provide a structure for the creation of an academic environment

consistent with the values of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the mission of the University. In

keeping with these goals, all students are expected to strive for integrity, in academic and non-

academic pursuits. Acts that involve any attempt to deceive, to present another’s ideas as one’s own,

or to enhance one’s grade through dishonest means violate the integrity of both the student and

University.

Academic dishonesty in any form has a negative impact on the essential principles of the Mount Mary

University Community. Therefore, such acts are treated as a serious breach of trust.

A faculty member has the right and authority to deal with academic dishonesty in his or her classroom;

however, a student who commits multiple violations against academic integrity shall be subject to

administrative disciplinary action as described in the Academic Honesty and Integrity Policy and

Procedures.

Copies of the full Academic Honesty and Integrity Policy and Procedures are available through the

office of the Dean for Academic Affairs. The policy and procedures are included in the Mount Mary

University Undergraduate Bulletin online.

Mount Mary Mission & Vision

Mission

Mount Mary University, an urban Catholic university for women, sponsored by the School Sisters of

Notre Dame, provides an environment for the development of the whole person. The University

encourages leadership, integrity, and a deep sense of social justice arising from a sensitivity to moral

values and Christian principles.

Mount Mary commits itself to excellence in teaching and learning with an emphasis on thinking

critically and creatively. The baccalaureate curriculum integrates the liberal arts with career

preparation for women of diverse ages and personal circumstances; the programs at the graduate level

provide opportunities for both men and women to enhance their professional excellence.

Vision Mount Mary University is recognized as a diverse learning community that works in partnership with

local, national and global organizations to educate women to transform the world.

Learning Services

The Learning Services staff provides free professional tutoring for students in reading, writing, and

speaking. Learning Services can assist you with tasks specific to this course and also with general

study skills. Tutoring is provided in the Student Success Center on the first floor of Haggerty Library.

Please call (414) 930-3026 to schedule an appointment.

Counseling Services

Professional psychological counseling services are available free of charge through the Counseling

Center, located in the Student Success Center on the first floor of Haggerty Library. Please call (414)

258-4810 X378 to make an appointment.

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Course Schedule *dates and assignments are subject to change at instructor’s discretion

DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT

Week 1

9/1/16

Review syllabus

Ice Breaker

Introduction to Career Development Process

and Final Project

Week 2

9/8/16

Life Roles Rainbow

Week 3

9/15/16

Introduce MBTI & SII Take MBTI & SII

Week 4

9/22/16

Interpret MBTI

Week 5

9/29/16

Interpret SII

Week 6

10/6/16

Values activity

Week 7

10/13/16

Skills assessment

*MEET IN HL 110*

Week 8

10/20/16

Discuss Informational Interview

Sign up for II presentations

Career Grid/Research on O*net

*MEET IN HL 110*

II

Week 9

10/27/16

MMU Majors

Jessie Kanter Guest Speak (tentative)

*MEET IN HL 010*

II

Week 10

11/3/16

Decision making strategies

Sara Held Guest Speak (3:30pm)

II

Week 11

11/10/16

Informational Interview presentations

Week 12

11/17/16

Informational Interview presentations

Discuss Final Project

Week 13

11/24/16

Thanksgiving break – No class

Final Project

Week 14

12/1/16

SMART Goal Setting

Time-lining

Schedule 1:1 meetings

Final Project

Schedule 1:1

Week 15

12/8/16

Wrap up

1:1 meeting

Final Project

Week 16

12/15/16

1:1 meeting Final Project