Maryville Pawprint Maryville Pawprint, Maryville University's Student Newspaper
The following is a story submitted by student reader, Sheryl Holstein.
Most students today are preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, or due to the economy, finding themselves preparing for a job search for that new career.
While the academic programs teach us what is needed to perform the duties of your chosen career path, there is still the need to prepare to find that new career. Through the academic programs offered here at Maryville University, students are given the opportunity to expand their education to include the skills needed for that job search.
The Communication department here at Maryville University has a course that will help with these needs. Dr. Barb DeSanto is head of the department and agrees that everyone in saying not just communication students can benefit from this course. The course is COMM 233, Professional and Organizational Communication.
Students entering any of the communication degree programs will be required to complete this course. However, any student can complete this course for an elective course and should consider doing so.
This course contains so much information to help you get started in preparing for entering the workforce. Dr. Leilani Carver will help you from the beginning in building that network of contacts, to the resume, to the interviewing process.
This course was developed to help the student understand today’s job and career market before the time comes to face the task of finding a job. Part of the course work is to develop a portfolio which will promote the student to prospective employers.
All students should consider this course early enough in their education to allow them to develop their portfolio for that individual path they have chosen. Your portfolio is like an extension of yourself. It will show samples of your skills, work samples and so much more. This is important for entering today’s work force.
Do not let the syllabus scare you away. It is an action-packed program that will provide the student practical assignments, providing the students opportunities to experience real interviews, attending networking events, and building that network of professionals that might be able to help you find that perfect job.
Another part of this class is to help the student find that mentor. A mentor is crucial to success in any field. A mentor in your field of work will help guide you in locating that perfect job and help ensure you have the skills for that job.
And did you know of all the places for finding an open position? In this course, you learn of places that most people do not think about looking at for employment. And have you thought of “Informational Interviewing”? Show a company that they need you before they realize.
Dr. DeSanto said, “This class is more than a class, it’s an investment that each student must make in his or her professional life. Our Maryville Communication Program’s goal is simple: We want employers to request a Maryville graduate. And a class like Dr. Leilani Carver’s professional and organizational development is one specific class target to providing the knowledge and skills that employers are seeking.”
Whether you are stepping out into the “real world” for employment for the first time, or making that career change, consider the opportunities this program offers. Many of the students that recently took this class took the class to fill an elective and by the end of the program were very glad that they did.
As we learn so much from our professors and the hands on experiences in life, this is one course that helps you promote all of your skills in the best manner. Consider the possibility of rounding out your education with the one class that can truly prepare you for the future, the future of employment and your career.
For additional information for this course, please contact the Communication Department, Dr. DeSanto at bdesanto@maryville.edu or Dr. Carver at clcarver@maryville.edu.
I also took this class and was amazed by all the valuable information that applied to the “real world”. I would highly encourage any student to enroll in this class.