CAD 1220
Professional Development

Course Information

Course Description:

As an aspiring drafter you must be familiar with certain job-finding strategies and skills. This course is designed to assist you as you prepare to seek employment within the drafting occupations. The course begins with an independent study of workplace ethics, workplace communication and the structure of a typical engineering team. Next, you will assemble information relevant to your qualifications, prepare a resume, a cover letter and a follow-up letter. The course concludes with timely information concerning the all-important job interview and followup.

Course Objectives:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify proper work ethics and habits.
  • Identify elements of successful communication in an engineering office.
  • Discuss roles within an engineering team.
  • Identify procedures for conducting a job search.
  • Develop a resume.
  • Develop cover and follow-up letters.
  • Assemble a portfolio of your work.
  • Have knowledge of sound interviewing skills.

 

Prerequisites or Corequisite:
There are no prerequisites for this course. It is designed to be taken during your first trimester of study. 
Course Topics:

The following is a list of topics that you will cover in Professional Development:

  • Workplace Ethics - Approximately 5 hours to complete
  • Workplace Communication - Approximately 5 hours to complete
  • Engineering Teams - Approximately 2 hours to complete
  • Finding And Getting A Job - Approximately 18 hours to complete
Specific Course Requirements:
You will need to be motivated and self-directed with the ability to follow an objective-based timeline. Study, not only your textbook, but any other reference materials you might have at your disposal.  Practice the step-by-step procedures until you are comfortable performing them without instructions. You should plan to devote 7-10 hours per week for this course.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:

There is no required text for this course. However, you must have access to the Internet and all deliverables (work to be turned in) must be submitted in Microsoft WORD format, version 97 or later.

Supplementary Materials:
Additional web-based resources will be listed in the Course Links section.
Hardware Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

 

Software Requirements:

Deliverables for this course must be submitted in Microsoft Word format, version 97 or later.

You must use a WebCT-compatible Internet browser to access the course. For information on browser recommendations visit: http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

This site also contains a link to WebCT's browser tune-up page where you can obtain the latest information about browser compatibility and multimedia plug-ins. If you are an AOL user, you must minimize the AOL window and open up Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator when you access the course.

The minimum requirements can be found at: http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

You will need the following software for viewing course materials which can be obtained FREE at the following site:

MicroSoft® PowerPoint Viewer - at the following site search for available viewer.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en

 

Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:

There are no formal test for this course.

Grading Procedure:

Your course grade will be based on completion of deliverables and regular communication with the instructor as shown below.

Ethics Report - 6 hrs 10 Points
Workplance Communications Report - 6 hrs 10 Points
Cover Letter - 4 hrs 20 Points
Resume - 12 hrs 40 Points
Thank You Letter - 2 hrs 10 Points
Communication With Instructor 10 Points
Grading Scale:
A = 93 - 100
B = 85 - 92.9
C = 77 - 84.9
A score of 77 or better must be achieved to receive credit for this course.
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:

Course modules will be presented in an asynchronous format.  This means that you will work on your assignments at your own pace.  You are permitted to work ahead in the course, but there are recuired completion dates for the completion of each massignment. Please complete each module in the order presented.  Within each module you will find directed reading assignments, research assignments and other individual activities.

Class Participation:
You are required to communicate with me on a regular basis using WebCT e-mail and with your classmates using the Discussion board. You should visit the course site at least every other day to ensure that you are aware of postings and announcements. Remember, participation counts as 10% of your grade.
Punctuality:

Required due dates for the completion of each module are posted on the calendar. Due dates will be posted during the first week of class. The calendar due dates are requirements, not recommendations. All assignments must be completed within the specified time to receive full credit. Penalties for late completion are posted on the Calendar.

Course Ground Rules
You are expected to learn how to navigate in WebCT and address technical issues/problems immediately before falling behind in the course.

Please view the course site daily for announcements, course information, and deadlines. There are recommended completion dates for assignments posted on the calendar. Let me know if you have any questions or problems with the assignments. 

Keep in contact with me by using the WebCT email address for all course related communications. You may use the alternate email address if necessary in an emergency situation. Please observe course netiquette at all times.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling
:

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to their website at:

http://help.rodp.org