ALI 280-10196 Fall 2016

Skills and Strategies for International Students in the Job Search

Instructor: Kimberley Briesch Sumner Course Info: TTR 9:30-11:00 am @ THH 111

Email: Office: PSD 106Q

Phone: 213-740-0065 Office Hours: by appt.

Course Description:

ALI 280 is an elective course for both undergraduate and graduate level international students. This course introduces students to the multiple skills and strategies needed to obtain an internship or job in the U. S. and guides them through the job search process while focusing on improving the English skills needed to get an internship or job. Topics to be discussed include learning what to search for based on personal skills and interests, searching for and understanding job posts, networking and using social media, writing a resume and cover letter, applying for a position, e-mail correspondence, and phone, Skype, and face-to-face interviewing.

Course Goals and Objectives:

The goal of this course is to help students become familiar with the conventions of the job search in English-speaking environments and to improve the various aspects of oral, aural, and written communication of English needed to obtain an internship or gainful employment in the U.S. Students will gain a greater understanding of themselves and their job goals, which will inform their individual job search process. Your professor will also focus on a variety of language and communication topics in order to support your maximum development as learners and participants in the workforce.

Course Materials:

·  College rule standard 8.5” x 11” loose-leaf notebook paper (no miniature paper please)

·  Required Texts:

o  Bolles, Richard N. (2017). What Color Is your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA, USA.

o  Labovich, Laura M. & Miriam Salpeter (2012). 100 Conversations for Career Success: Learn to Network, Cold Call, and Tweet Your Way to Your Dream Job! Learning Express, New York.

o  Internet Sources

Major Course Requirements and Grade Breakdown:

·  Homework Assignments, Attendance, and Class Participation 25%

·  Oral Projects 25%

·  Written Projects 25%

·  Culminating Project 25%


Grades and Course Completion:

ALI 280 is a credit/no credit (CR/NC) class, which means that you will not receive a final letter grade (A/B/C/F) on your USC transcript (i.e., it will not affect your GPA). Assignments are given to prepare for and practice material that is covered in your textbooks and in class. Since this is a proficiency-based course designed to help improve the speaking, listening, and writing skills needed to obtain an internship or job in an English speaking environment, your proficiency in these skills at the end of the course will determine whether you receive course credit or not.

To receive credit for this class, students must:

·  Attend classes regularly and arrive on time.

·  Participate actively. Active participation consists of daily attendance and interaction with the professor/classmates on all group work in the classroom and out.

·  Complete ALL course requirements successfully (a course average of less than 70% will result in a grade of NC). A successfully completed assignment is finished on time, is thorough, and is of high quality.

You will have access to your course grade throughout the semester via Blackboard “My Grades.” We will also discuss your course progress mid-semester, but please feel free to discuss your grades with me at any time throughout the semester.

Upon completion of ALI 280, many students should have a better understanding of the basic skills needed to obtain an internship or job in the U.S. However, students who demonstrate minimal effort in the class may not obtain the results they are hoping for. In other words, even if you receive credit for ALI 280 for doing all the assignments, you may not be at the level you wish by the end of the semester. Therefore, it is in your own interest to do your best on each assignment in order to achieve the maximum benefit of the course. Do not expect your language ability to improve simply by coming to class and putting minimum effort into your assignments. It will take diligent effort on your part. Very few students make significant progress if they spend most of their time speaking their native language; you really should speak English at least 75% of the time to notice improvement.

ALI Attendance Policy:

You are expected to attend classes regularly and be on time. More than 3 hours of absence will be reported to the ALI student advisor. More than 6 hours of absence (equivalent of 4 class periods or arriving late 12 times) will result in a course grade of NC (no credit). Students who come to class more than 10 minutes late are considered late/tardy and will be marked absent for 0.5 hours. If you must be absent from class, please see the homework policies below for additional instructions.

280 Homework/Assignments Policy:

Assignments which are not handed in on time will be given a score of 0 points (no credit). Students who must miss a class should notify the professor as soon as possible (in advance when possible) and obtain information on missed in-class work, important handouts, and homework from a classmate. If you miss a class, you are still responsible to submit your assignments on the due date. If you are unable to attend a class, please plan to submit your work via a classmate or e-mail submission. If these options are impossible, you may send an e-mail request to your professor explaining your situation. At this time it may be possible to make a special arrangement for your homework submission.

Classroom Etiquette:

Since this is an English class, the focus will be on communicating in English. Please use English as your mode of communication at all times while in the classroom. In order to promote a learning environment conducive to discussions and focused practice with your professor and classmates, please do not use cell phones, laptops, iPads, etc. during class unless instructed to do so. Reserve time to check your e-mail, surf the web, text message, etc. for break time or before/after class.

USC Statement on Academic Conduct

Plagiarism—presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words—is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University Standards, https://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behavior-violating-university-standards-and-appropriate-sanctions/. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct/.

Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity, http://equity.usc.edu/, or to the Department of Public Safety, http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-public-safety/online-forms/contact-us. This is important for the safety of the whole USC community. Another member of the university community—such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member—can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for Women and Men, http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/, provides 24/7 confidential support, and the Sexual Assault Resource Center webpage, https://sarc.usc.edu/, describes reporting options and other resources.

USC Statement on Support Systems

A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute, http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs, http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html, provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. Any student requiring accommodations, based on a disability is required to register with the Disability Services and Programs office (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved recommendations can be obtained through DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in GFS 120 and is open 9:00am- 5:00pm, M-F. The DSP phone number is (213) 740-0776.

If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information, http://emergency.usc.edu/, will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued by means of Blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.


ALI 280 Course Calendar**

FALL 2016

Dates

/ Topics and Activities / Readings and Selected Assignments
Week 1
8/23
8/25 / Course Introduction; Overview of Job Search Process
Introductions / Bolles:
Chapter 1: It’s a Whole New World for Job-Hunters, p. 1-19.
Week 2
8/30
9/1 / Introductions: Composing Biographical Statements
Composing or Revising your Resume
Expressing Yourself In Person and Creating your Elevator Pitch / Handouts
Bolles: Chapter 2 (Resumes): p. 29-41, p. 159 (List of adjectives) and p. 224 (List of action verbs)
Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 1: Introducing Yourself: How to Communicate What You Offer, p.1-8.
Week 3
9/6
9/8 / Resumes and Elevator Pitches
Small Talk and Networking at Events / Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 7: How to Network at Events (and Make It Easy to Follow Up), p. 65-72.
Week 4
9/13
9/15 / Small Talk and Networking at Events
Preparing for and attending career fairs (Viterbi and USC career fairs)
Following-up after an Interview or Networking Event
Beginning Your Flower Exercises:
Petal 1—Favorite People / Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 8: Post-Networking Event Follow-up, p. 73-85.
Attend USC Career Fair, 9/15 (10 am - 2 pm)
Bolles:
Chapter 7 Self-Inventory, Part 1 p. 111-126.
Chapter 8: Self-Inventory, Part 2, p. 125-136.

In addition to each job skill discussed, we will be focusing on aspects of English communication including pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, listening, and/or writing skills.

**Note: This calendar is a general guide. The instructor may adjust weekly topics according to student needs.

Dates / Topics and Activities / Readings and Selected Assignments
Week 5
9/20
9/22 / Guest Speaker from Career Center: Navigating USC Career Center Resources (e.g., CareerBeam and ConnectSC)
Conducting an Informational Interview / Career Fair Oral Reports/Discussion
Bolles:
Chapter 11: Five Ways to Choose/Change Careers p.241-255.
Informational Interview Assigned
Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 6: How to Solicit, Secure, and Succeed at an Informational Interview, p. 50-63.
Bolles:
Chapter 10: How to Deal with Any Handicaps You Have (“Shyness PIE Method” only) p. 232-239.
Mining Job Posts
Week 6
9/27
9/29 / Sleuthing Yourself and Working on Your “Google Resume”
Using Social Media as a Tool to Enhance Opportunities; Reading and Commenting on Blogs
Flower Exercise:
Petal 2—Favorite Working Conditions / Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 10: How to Communicate Online: A Primer for Using Social Media, p. 101-106.
Bolles:
Chapter 2: Google Is Your New Resume, p. 21-43. (p. 29-41 = Review from Week 2)
Bolles:
Chapter 8: Self-Inventory, Part 2, p. 137-140.
CET’s Academic Careers Week (Ph.Ds)
Dates / Topics and Activities / Readings and Selected Assignments
Week 7
10/4
10/6 / Two Ways to Hunt for a Job (Traditional vs. Parachute Way)
Twelve Best (and Worst) Ways to Look for a Job
Using the Phone During Your Job Search / Bolles:
Chapter 6: What to Do When Your Job Hunt Just Isn’t Working, p. 99-109.
Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 2: How to Wow Your Audience on the Phone, p. 9-15.
Week 8
10/11
10/13 / Flower Exercise:
Petal 3—Favorite Transferable Skills (Your 5 Stories)
Cover Letters
Interviewing for a Job / Bolles:
Chapter 8: Self-Inventory, Part 2, p. 141-161.
Handouts
Bolles:
Chapter 4: Sixteen Tips About Interviewing, p. 53-81.
Viterbi Career Fair, 10/11 (10 am – 3 pm)

Week 9

10/18
10/20 / Researching Companies
Using Job Search Engines: LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Monster, etc.
Using Twitter to Enhance Job Opportunities. / Bolles:
Chapter 9: You Get to Choose Where you Work, p. 209-217.
Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 11: How to Communicate via LinkedIn p. 110-133.
Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 12: Communicating Professionally Using Twitter, p. 135-158.
Dates / Topics and Activities / Readings and Selected Assignments
Week 10
10/25
10/27 / Responding to Interview Questions; Interviewing Dos and Don’ts
Preparing for a Face to Face Job Interview
Mock Job Interviews
Flower Exercise:
Petal 4—Certain Goal, Purpose, or Mission
Petal 5—Has Particular Knowledges / Handouts
Bolles:
Chapter 10: How to Deal with Any Handicaps You Have, p. 211-223.
Mock Job Interviews
Bolles:
Chapter 8: Self-Inventory, Part 2, p. 162-177.
Week 11
11/1
11/3 / Mock Job Interview Debrief
Informing Your Network and Obtaining References / Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 3: How to Inform Your Network You’re Searching for a Job, p. 18-27.
Labovich & Salpeter:
Chapter 5: How to Contact and Inform Potential References about Your Search, p. 41-47.
Week 12
11/8
11/10 / Flower Exercise:
Petal 6—Prefers Level of Responsibility and Salary
Petal 7— Prefers Certain Places to Live / Bolles:
Chapter 8: Self-Inventory, Part 2, p. 178-191.
Dates / Topics and Activities / Readings and Selected Assignments
Week 13
11/15
11/17 (CLASS CANCELED) / Putting Your Flower Together / Bolles:
Chapter 8: Self-Inventory, Part 2, p. 192-197.
Chapter 9: You Get to Choose Where You Work, p. 199-208.
Week 14
11/22
11/24 (CLASS CANCELED: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY) / Culminating Presentations
Week 15
11/29 / Course Wrap-up / Culminating Presentations (if needed)

ALI 280 Course Syllabus Page 7 of 8 American Language Institute

Professor Briesch Sumner Fall 2016