Public Affairs 6540: Professional Development Skills, Washington, DC

Reading materials may change. 

• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House. ISBN 978-0-345-47232-8,
• All other reading assignments will be provided by the professor via Carmen.
• It is recommended that you read the Washington Post, Reuters.com, Politico, The Hill, and Roll Call daily.

Reading Notes (Form A1 – A7)

• 3 points each
• 21% of course grade

Essential Information (Form E1, E2, E3.1-3)

• 3 points each
• 15% of course grade

Asynchronous video discussions using the text box/rich content editor in Carmen (VD 1-3)

• 5 points each
• 15% of course grade

Rolling Resume

• 10 points
• 10% of course grade

Cover Letter

• 10 points
• 5% of course grade

Student & Alumni Panel (Questions & Attendance)

• 5 points
• 5% of course grade

Mock Interview

• 5 points
• 10% of course grade

Final Portfolio

• 19 points
• 19% of course grade

Readings

The topics and number of pages is focused to make best use of students’ time in preparing for the weekly topics.

Instructor Videos

Limited in length to make best use of students’ time, highlighting key concepts, and providing context for readings.

Forms A, E

Forms are frameworks for capturing the essence of each assignment. Forms clarify the amount of work needed and help improve preparation and retention, making meetings more productive and therefore more useful for students in the long term. Writing assignments use forms to make the best use of time and clearly define what success looks like.

• Form A Videos and Readings Notes begins each module
• Form E Essential Information enables submissions for key assignments
• Written assignments must be your own original work.
• Only MS Word documents will be accepted

Introduction Video (VD.1)

Post an intro video on the discussion board on Carmen. Explain where you are from, your undergraduate institution, what you studied, policy interests and pose a question to the class. Watch all posts and leave a comment under each answering the question posed.

Professional Profile

Create a LinkedIn and a USAJobs profile. Send the instructors a LinkedIn connection request. Take a screenshot of your USAJobs profile and submit it to CarmenCanvas.

Skills Assessment (Form E.1)

Complete the skills section of the University of Wisconsin Individual Development Plan. Submit Form E.1 to explain:

1. your top five interests and values
2. how they match your expectation or surprised you
3. how they reflect the type of internship/career you want
4. your top five skills and your five weakest, what skill category (i.e., communication, professionalism) is your strongest
5. which skills you want to focus on moving forward, for your five weakest, provide ideas for addressing them

Values & Interest Exploration (Form E.2)

Complete the Interests and Values assessments using ImaginePhD. Submit Form E.2 to explain:

1. your top five interests and values
2. how they match your expectations or surprised you
3. how they reflect the type of internship/career you want

Elevator Pitch

Post elevator pitch videos. Provide actionable feedback to at least 2 of your peers’ videos.

Rolling Résumé

Write a rolling résumé that includes everything relevant to your professional background. This will be more than one page long.

Cover Letter

Cover letters are written for specific jobs and tailored accordingly. Prepare a cover letter a position you want to apply for. Include the position description with your submission.

Student & Alumni Panel

Review the panel member biographies on CarmenCanvas and post 3 questions for panelists to the discussion board. Questions can focus on current internship or work experience, advice for finding a placement, and general questions about networking and DC. The instructors will pick 1 question from each student and distribute the final list. Ask your question during the panel.

Mock Interview

Sign up with the instructors and conduct a mock interview.

Networking Assignments (Form E3.1-3)

Create a list of 5 DC-based alumni who have positions of interest. Use LinkedIn, Ohio State’s AlumniFire, the Virtual Coffee List, or ask the instructor for a referral. It is important to build your network during your first year. Keep this list and refer to it as you begin searching for a placement. Reach out to 3 contacts for informational interviews via Zoom or phone.

For each informational interview submit a Form E.3 to explain:

1. why you selected this person
2. how you prepared for the informational interview
3. what you learned and how it contributed to your overall professional development. Include suggestions for other people you should connect with.
4. how did you follow-up and how do you plan to stay in touch?

Final Portfolio (DC Résumé, Form E.4, and Bio)

Submit the following:

1. A résumé for the DC market (1-pager or federal)
2. Form E.4 that establishes your DC Placement Plan including:
   1. 5 - 10 organizations to which you plan to apply
   2. a strategy for each organization:
      1. contact plan
      2. cover letter approach
      3. résumé tailoring approach
      4. follow up plan
3. Your biography for the website (to be added with your headshot), following outline on Carmen

Consult your instructor's syllabus for more detail on your assignments, course schedule and grading rubric.