poli 298 - speaker series on careers - byu political … daniels...poli 298 - speaker series on...

POLI 298 - Speaker Series on Careers

Fall 2016

Section 001: 238 HRCB on Th from 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Instructor/TA Info

Instructor Information

Name: Sven Wilson

Office Location: 722 SWKT

Office Phone: (801) 422-9018

Email: [email protected]

Name: Kellie Daniels

Office Location: 724 SWEKT

Office Phone: 801-422-3982

Office Hours: Only By Appointment

Email: [email protected]

Course Information

Mentor: Student Responsibility Packet

Student Responsibilities:

We are excited about your upcoming mentoring experience and expect that if

you put in the time and effort, this will be a valuable experience for you as a

student and future professional.

Expectations:

The following expectations will help you have a successful experience and form

an effective relationship with your mentor.

Initiate contact with your mentor – Once you have received an email with

your mentor’s name, contact information, and bio (this will be by October

1st), you are expected to make two-way contact with your mentor

(meaning that he/she responds). Below are some tips and an example

for initiating contact.

Address your mentor as Mr., Ms., or another appropriate title until he/she

tells you otherwise.

Identify yourself clearly as the student matched to the mentor.

Share a few appropriate details about yourself.

You may want to mention relevant details from your mentor’s bio.

Ask how and when he/she prefers to be contacted.

Express appreciation for your mentor’s time.

Dear Mr. Mentor,

The BYU Political Science Department has assigned me to work with you as my

mentor this semester. I am currently a junior in the political science program

and I’m interested in analytics. I read in your bio that you have worked in

analytics for several years now, and I look forward to discussing your

experience in the industry.

I know that you are busy, so I want to use your time well. When is the best time

for me to contact you? Also, would you prefer to communicate in person, over

the phone or by email? I am also available on Skype.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to getting to know you better.

Sincerely,

Student

Communicate early with your mentor to establish the type and frequency

of communication. This is especially important, because, although the

alumni are eager to help you, they are very busy. Establishing these

expectations ahead of time will make the best use of their time and

yours.

Complete three experiences throughout the semester – You may choose

any three of the five topics provided below. The purpose of these

experiences is to facilitate meaningful discussions. These topics give you

a starting point, but it is more important that you learn from your mentors

than ask these exact questions. One experience is due each month of

the program. You will post a write-up of your experience on learning suite

by the specified dates.

Dates to Remember:

You will be matched to a mentor by October 1st

October 15th: Initial Contact

October 31st: First Experience

November 30th: Second Experience

December 15th: Third Experience

December 15th: One-Page Essay about entire experience

What to Know:

According to feedback from our alumni, there are a few things they expect

students to know before contacting them. Below are a few examples of what

you should know or do before talking with your mentor. Essentially, if it’s

something you can research on your own, then do. When you are prepared with

general information, it frees up your mentor to give you real expert advice.

Types of jobs that are available for political science majors. A mentor will

help you learn more about a specific field, but you should already have

an idea of what types of jobs are available to political science majors.

Questions you have for your mentor. Know what you want to get out of

your conversations with your mentor. Don’t just wing it. Refer to the

questions listed in the assignments for ideas. Preparation shows respect

to your mentor and his/her time.

You should also be able to answer as many of the following questions as

possible before meeting with your mentor:

About your mentor (you will receive a bio with some of this information)

How long ago did my mentor graduate from BYU? What is the name of

the organization where my mentor works? In which industry is it? What is

its mission?

What position does my mentor hold?

Did my mentor attend graduate school? If so, what program?

About yourself

In which industry am I most interested in working? What am I willing to

do to get there?

What are my career goals?

Am I planning to work or attend graduate school after I graduate from

BYU?

What questions do I want to ask my mentor?

General Guidelines:

Be professional. Be on time for your scheduled phone calls or visits, and

dress professionally if you meet in person. Treat each interaction like a

job interview. Use your time with your mentor to discuss his/her career

and related topics. Unless your mentor brings it up, do not discuss too

much church or religion.

Be grateful. Like you, your mentor is busy with work, family and church

responsibilities. Express your appreciation for his/her time, both verbally

and in writing.

Be smart. Prepare intelligent and appropriate questions before talking

with your mentor. Never petition for a job or ask personal questions such

as, “How much money do you make?” Again, refer to the questions listed

in the assignment section.

Be respectful. Always address your mentor by an appropriate title until

they inform you otherwise. Respect your mentor’s time. Respond

promptly to any emails or voicemails you receive from your mentor.

Appointments should always begin and end on time.

In-person mentoring:

If you have a local mentor, we strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to

meet with them in person. This may be at his or her workplace, over lunch or

whatever else you arrange. Make sure you meet in public. Clarify with your

mentor who will pay for the lunches.

EXPERIENCES

Below are the descriptions of topics to choose from to complete the

assignments. You will need to pick at least three of the five experiences and

report back in a survey that will be emailed to you each month.

Topic #1

Exploring Employment Options

Objective

To better understand what options are available for political science graduates.

1. How did you choose the field you work in?

1. What career path has led you to your current position? How have the

other positions you’ve held helped you get where you are today? Where

do you see your career going in the future?

1. What advice would you give to someone seeking a career in your field?

What do you wish someone had told you when you were in my position?

1. How important is a graduate degree for work in [the industry where your

mentor works]? Discuss the merits of different graduate programs—e.g.

MBA, MPP, JD, PhD. When is a good time to pursue a graduate degree?

1. Where do you suggest I turn for more information about the field?

Topic #2

Understanding the Company

Objective

To learn about a specific company and position and to gain better insight into

professional life.

a. How is your company organized? What is your company’s size and

mission?

1. What are your key responsibilities in your current position? How do you

spend the majority of your time? What is the average day like on your

job? What do you like about your current position? What do you not like

about it?

1. What is the main role and purpose of your position within the company?

How do you add value to the company?

1. What are some challenges your company is currently facing? How is it

addressing these challenges? How can I prepare to deal with these types

of challenges?

1. What skills are necessary to succeed in your position? How do you

recommend I develop these skills?

Topic #3

Political Science Beyond Academics

Objective

To learn how students can apply their studies in the professional world.

1. How do you use political science principles in your work?

1. What is something you learned in school that you have found particularly

applicable throughout your career?

1. How can I best prepare to apply the principles I learn in school to my

future profession?

1. Which political science principles do you feel are most important to

understand for professional work?

Topic #4

Beginning Your Career

Objective

To prepare for the transition from student to professional.

1. What advice do you have as I transition from student to professional?

What is the best thing I could be doing now to help me prepare?

1. What type of jobs do you recommend for a recent graduate? What are

some good entry-level positions that will help my career?

1. If I am trying to get one of those positions, what should I emphasize in

my résumé and cover letter? How do you suggest preparing for an

interview?

1. What advice do you have for interacting with other professionals in a

company? What advice do you have for interacting with those above me

in the company?

Topic #5

Balance, Ethics, and Etiquette

Objective

To understand lifestyle and career management within the field.

1. How have you balanced career, family and church responsibilities? How

much travel has your career required? What are the typical time

demands required in your field? What types of sacrifices have you had to

make for your career?

1. Given your commitment to church and family needs, how have you been

viewed among your peers? What have you learned to do to keep family,

church and career responsibilities balanced?

1. What types of ethical issues have you encountered in your career

experience? How are these best handled? How frequently do ethical

problems arise?

1. What suggestions do you have for handling business etiquette and

protocol in the following settings?

Dining and cocktail party etiquette

Appropriate topics of conversation

Phone vs. email communication

Business recreation (i.e. golf, biking)

Resources

How to write a résumé. Before you ask your mentor to review your résumé for a

specific job or internship, make sure you have put the time and effort into

learning how to write a good one. The same goes for a cover letter. The

University Career Center, the FHSS Writing Lab and the Business Career

https://ccc.byu.edu/

https://fhsswriting.byu.edu/Pages/home.aspx

http://marriottschool.byu.edu/career/students/

Center are great resources to help you. You must work with at least one of

these entities before you send your résumé to your mentor.

Tips for writing résumés:

Remember that the purpose of your résumé is to get you an interview,

not a job. You don’t have to include everything, only the most important

things.

Use formatting to your advantage. You only have a few seconds to make

an impression, so use headings, fonts, and whitespace to make it easy to

scan.

Identify accomplishments, not just tasks. Don’t only write what you did,

but the positive results of what you did.

Describe your achievements with verbs: developed, collaborated,

researched, constructed, etc.

Quantify your accomplishments where possible.

Tailor your résumé to the company and the job description.

Find more tips at 6 Tips for Writing an Effective Résumé:

https://www.asme.org/career-education/articles/job-hunting/6-tips-for-

writing-an-effective-resume

Resources:

If the opportunity arises for your mentor to review your résumé, you must first

receive feedback from someone at one of the following entities, or someone

else who can offer professional advice.

University Career Services


https://www.asme.org/career-education/articles/job-hunting/6-tips-for-writing-an-effective-resume

https://www.asme.org/career-education/articles/job-hunting/6-tips-for-writing-an-effective-resume

2400 WSC

https://ucs.byu.edu/students/resumes-home

Business Career Center

1. TNRB

http://marriottschool.byu.edu/career/students/solidResume.cfm

FHSS Writing Lab

1049 JFSB


Tips for writing cover letters:

Think from an employer’s point of view and try to answer the question,

“Why should I hire this person?”

Talk about what you can do for the company, not what the company can

do for you.

Tailor your cover letter to the company and the job description.

Incorporate the mission and goals of the company.

Find more tips at Internships.com, Writing a compelling cover letter:

http://www.internships.com/student/resources/search/coverletter/howto?c

id=EM_ST_SP_20110920_INTRO_COVERLETTER

Resources:

If the opportunity arises for your mentor to review your cover letter, you must

first receive feedback from another source or someone else who can offer

professional advice (see Résumé Resources above).

https://ucs.byu.edu/students/resumes-home

http://marriottschool.byu.edu/career/students/solidResume.cfm


http://www.internships.com/student/resources/search/coverletter/howto?cid=EM_ST_SP_20110920_INTRO_COVERLETTER

http://www.internships.com/student/resources/search/coverletter/howto?cid=EM_ST_SP_20110920_INTRO_COVERLETTER

Description

This is a one credit course where we will listen to and interact with a series of

speakers drawn from a variety of career paths and types and levels of

experience. You will be paired with an individual mentor with whom you will

complete three different experiences with through out the semester.

Since this class is a lecture series, attendance is 30% of your grade. You are

allowed one absence. For each lecture you will need to submit, over learning

suite, a lecture write-up within 24 hours of the lecture. The write-up needs to

include: 1. describe your favorite practical piece of advice you learned from the

speaker, 2. What did you learn about the speaker's chosen profession that you

didn't know before, and 3, Rank the speaker on a scale of 1 to 5,

comments. The lecture write-ups count for 30% of your grade, the lowest score

will be dropped. 30% of your grade will come from assignments based on your

experiences with your mentor. Assignments descriptions are listed in the

syllabus. The remaining 10% of your grade is the final.

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be taken at each class. You may miss one class without penalty

to your attendance grade. Attendance will be taken by you signing the roll at

the classroom door.

Late Assignments

Assignments will be penalized 10% for every calendar day (not just class day or

weekday) that they are late.

Assignments

Assignment Descriptions

Intro

Due: Thursday, Sep 01 at 4:00 pm

Roger Gardiner


Roger Gardiner Lecture Write-up

Due: Friday, Sep 09 at 11:59 pm

Write a paragraph including the following:

1. Describe your favorite practical piece of advice you learned from the speaker

2. What did you learn about the speaker's chosen profession that you didn't

know before

3. Rank the speaker on a scale of 1 to 5, comments

John Dinkelman


Resume


Develop a resume.

1. Research what makes a resume (include sources on an attached 2nd

page)

2. Develop your resume

3. use correct grammar and spelling

4. one page

This resume must be reviewed by oneou will need to submit a resume that has

been reviewed by he University Career Center, the FHSS Writing Lab and/or

the Business Career Center. You must work with at least one of these entities

before you send your resume to your mentor.

*Late assignments will be accepted, but the grade on the assignment will be

deducted 10% for each day late. If the assignment is 3 days late, the grade will

be reduced by 30%

Mentor Survey


https://ccc.byu.edu/



Take the following survey to help us match you with a mentor for the semester

https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4Pe5wC22fc6y3Ax

John Dinkelman Lecture Write-up





know before


Global Development Panel


Global Development Panel Write-up



1. Describe your favorite practical piece of advice you learned from the panel

2. What did you learn about global development that you didn't know before


Gina Guarascio Chamness


Gina Guarascio Chamness Lecture Write-up





know before

https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4Pe5wC22fc6y3Ax


Initial Contact

Due: Saturday, Oct 01 at 11:59 pm

You must make contact with your mentor by October 1st! I recommend making

contact sooner rather then later. Once you've made contact fill out this form:

https://docs.google.com/a/aiddata.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSlPQ_Hx_nt9Mbq1

dyu8c6aiKK_q3lJamppZtU_sot-XPByA/viewform

Chip Yost

Due: Thursday, Oct 06 at 4:00 pm

Chip Yost Lecture Write-up

Due: Friday, Oct 07 at 11:59 pm




know before


Jeff Hartley


Jeff Hartley Lecture Write-up





know before


Daniel Clegg


Daniel Clegg Lecture Write-up





know before


Rachel Kearl


Rachel Kearl Lecture Write-up





know before


Mentor Experience #1

Due: Monday, Oct 31 at 11:59 pm

Compete a one page write up on one of the five mentoring topics. Topics can

be found in the student responsibility packet (under course information on

learning suite) and each topic can only be done once.

Write-up should include:

1. Which topic you discussed with your mentor.

2. Your overall impression of the discussion

3. Something new that you learned

Natalie Gordon

Due: Thursday, Nov 03 at 4:00 pm

Natalie Gordon Lecture Write-up

Due: Friday, Nov 04 at 11:59 pm




know before


Scott Riding


Scott Riding Lecture Write-up





know before


Amy Oliver


Amy Oliver Lecture Write-up





know before



Due: Wednesday, Nov 30 at 11:59 pm



learning suite)and each topic can only be done once.





LinkedIn

Due: Thursday, Dec 01 at 4:00 pm

LinkedIn Write-up

Due: Friday, Dec 02 at 11:59 pm


1. What did you learn about LinkedIn that you didn't know before?

3. Rank this lecture on a scale of 1 to 5, comments

Final


The final is 10% of your grade. The final exam will be open note, consisting of

essay-style reflective questions, asking about broad themes that emerged

through the course of the lectures. Using notes and examples from different

speakers will be helpful in answering the questions, so please take good,

careful notes for each speaker.

Final Mentor write-up


One page written essay about your overall experience with your mentor





learning suite) and each topic can only be done once.





University Policies

Honor Code

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to

be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most

fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own

work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing

grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students

are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence

demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning

and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and every

instructor's expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code

standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions

about those standards.

Sexual Misconduct

As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the university

prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or

activities. Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment-including sexual violence-

committed by or against students, university employees, and visitors to campus.

As outlined in university policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic

violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual

Misconduct" prohibited by the university.

University policy requires any university employee in a teaching, managerial, or

supervisory role to report incidents of sexual misconduct that come to their

attention through various forms including face-to-face conversation, a written

class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. If

you encounter Sexual Misconduct, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at

[email protected] or 801-422-2130 or Ethics Point at

https://titleix.byu.edu/report or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours). Additional

information about Title IX and resources available to you can be found at

http://titleix.byu.edu.

Student Disability

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning

atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If

you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course

successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC), 2170

WSC or 422-2767. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all

students who have qualified, documented disabilities. The UAC can also assess

students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. Services are

coordinated with the student and instructor by the UAC. If you need assistance

or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of

disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and

procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285

ASB.

Mental Health Concerns

Mental health concerns and stressful life events can affect students’ academic

performance and quality of life. BYU Counseling and Psychological Services

(CAPS, 1500 WSC, 801-422-3035, caps.byu.edu) provides individual, couples,

and group counseling, as well as stress management services. These services

https://titleix.byu.edu/report

http://titleix.byu.edu/

are confidential and are provided by the university at no cost for full-time

students. For general information please visit https://caps.byu.edu; for more

immediate concerns please visit http://help.byu.edu.

Respectful Environment

"Sadly, from time to time, we do hear reports of those who are at best

insensitive and at worst insulting in their comments to and about others... We

hear derogatory and sometimes even defamatory comments about those with

different political, athletic, or ethnic views or experiences. Such behavior is

completely out of place at BYU, and I enlist the aid of all to monitor carefully

and, if necessary, correct any such that might occur here, however inadvertent

or unintentional. "I worry particularly about demeaning comments made about

the career or major choices of women or men either directly or about members

of the BYU community generally. We must remember that personal agency is a

fundamental principle and that none of us has the right or option to criticize the

lawful choices of another." President Cecil O. Samuelson, Annual University

Conference, August 24, 2010 "Occasionally, we ... hear reports that our female

faculty feel disrespected, especially by students, for choosing to work at BYU,

even though each one has been approved by the BYU Board of Trustees.

Brothers and sisters, these things ought not to be. Not here. Not at a university

that shares a constitution with the School of the Prophets." Vice President John

S. Tanner, Annual University Conference, August 24, 2010

Schedule

Date Column 1 Column 2

Th Sep 01

Thursday

Intro

Th Sep 08

Thursday

Roger Gardiner

F Sep 09

Friday

Roger Gardiner Lecture Write-

up

https://caps.byu.edu/

http://help.byu.edu/

Th Sep 15

Thursday

John Dinkelman

Mentor Survey

Resume

F Sep 16

Friday

John Dinkelman Lecture

Write-up

Th Sep 22

Thursday


F Sep 23

Friday


Write-up

Th Sep 29

Thursday


F Sep 30

Friday


Lecture Write-up

Sa Oct 01

Saturday

Initial Contact

Th Oct 06

Thursday

Chip Yost

F Oct 07

Friday

Chip Yost Lecture Write-up

Th Oct 13

Thursday

Jeff Hartley

F Oct 14

Friday

Jeff Hartley Lecture Write-up

Th Oct 20

Thursday

Daniel Clegg

F Oct 21

Friday

Daniel Clegg Lecture Write-up

Th Oct 27

Thursday

Rachel Kearl

F Oct 28

Friday

Rachel Kearl Lecture Write-up

M Oct 31

Monday


Th Nov 03

Thursday

Natalie Gordon

F Nov 04

Friday

Natalie Gordon Lecture Write-

up

Th Nov 10

Thursday

Scott Riding

F Nov 11

Friday

Scott Riding Lecture Write-up

Th Nov 17

Thursday

Amy Oliver

F Nov 18

Friday

Amy Oliver Lecture Write-up

W Nov 23

Wednesday

No Classes

Th Nov 24

Thursday

Thanksgiving Holiday

W Nov 30

Wednesday


Th Dec 01

Thursday

LinkedIn

F Dec 02

Friday

LinkedIn Write-up

M Dec 05

Monday

Final Opens

Th Dec 08

Thursday

Last Day of Fall Semester

(08/29/2016 - 12/08/2016)

Th Dec 15

Thursday

Final Exam:

238 HRCB

7:00pm - 10:00pm

F Dec 16

Friday

Final Closes

Final Mentor write-up


poli 298 - speaker series on careers - byu political … daniels...poli 298 - speaker series on...

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