Course
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
PRFU 1290
Descriptive
Professional Readiness II: Jobs and Networks
Department
Print Futures
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
1.00
Start date
End term
201710
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
9 weeks
Max class size
30
Contact hours
1 hour lecture per week
1 hour seminar per week
(18 hours per semester)
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Learning activities
The course will be delivered by lecture and seminar. In the seminar, students will be expected to share their findings, experiences, and writing.
Course description
This course is the second of four professional readiness courses intended to help students develop a career as a professional writer. It offers an opportunity for students to identify a writing niche, develop and practise the basic skills of applying and interviewing for jobs, and learn about the importance of networking for writers.
Course content
- Finding a Writing Niche
Successful students will:- review core competencies for professional writers
- review and assess their professional/personal strengths and weaknesses in the context of their experience in the program to date (interpersonal skills, presentation and facilitation skills, public-speaking skills, conflict-resolution skills, mediation skills, negotiation skills, ability to meet deadlines, research/writing/editing skills, and so on)
- identify an appropriate writing niche in preparation for PRFU 2400: Work Experience
- Getting a Job
Successful students will:- prepare for job interviews (including researching companies, practising for interviews, preparing work samples, developing questions, revising resumes for specific jobs, and so on)
- participate in mock job interviews (instructor- and peer-evaluated)
- Networking
Successful students will:- identify components of networks for writers (industry associations, colleagues, employers, classmates, instructors, and so on)
- learn how to develop and maintain networks
- review how to conduct an informational interview
- write an industry association profile based in part on attendance at an association meeting (for example, Society for Technical Communication, Editors’ Association of Canada, International Association for Business Communicators, Periodical Writers Association of Canada, Canadian Public Relations Society, and so on)
Learning outcomes
Students will:
- identify a writing niche
- develop and practise the basic skills of applying and interviewing for jobs
- understand the importance of networking and learn how to set up a network
Means of assessment
Students will demonstrate their mastery of course material through assignments and participation in discussion, group work, and interviews.
Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, ability to meet deadlines, presentation skills, and accurate self-evaluation.
Evaluation will be based on this general format:
| Writing niche report | 15% |
| Job preparation assignments | 60% |
| Networking report (written) | 15% |
| Professionalism (as defined) | 10% |
| 100% |
Textbook materials
None
Prerequisites
PRFU 1190 or permission of the coordinator