University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Syllabus for CEE 495: Professional Practice

Wednesday 4:00-4:50, Room 151 Everitt
Instructor: Assistant: Text: Web Site: Grading: Charles J Werth, 1110 Newmark, 333-3822, werth@illinois.edu Joan Christian, 1108 Newmark, (218) 265-4496, jchristn@illinois.edu None Illinois Compass: https://compass.illinois.edu Grading will either be satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U), and will be based on completion of all class requirements. YOU NEED A GRADE OF S IN THIS CLASS TO GRADUATE!! Maintaining a notebook log of your professional development activities. This is a professional practice seminar. The objective is for you to learn about career opportunities and to improve your professional skills. The course is divided into three required in-class seminars, and completion of 8 units of professional development. I expect all students to attend the in-class seminars. If you miss one of them without an excuse from the Dean or I, you will not pass the class. If you have an excused absence, you will need to make it up by completing an extra unit of professional development. The ethics seminar on November 13, 2013 is absolutely mandatory for all students. If you have a conflict during the ethics seminar and have an excuse from the Dean or I to miss class, you will need to complete online ethics training. Documentation: The 8 units of professional development needs to be documented in a log that you maintain and submit (in hard copy) on the last day of the semester to Joan Christian in 1108 Newmark. At least one paragraph is required for each unit of professional development. In the paragraph you need to identify the name of the professional development activity, date, name of person(s) leading the activity, what was covered, what you gained from it, and who (if anyone) you spoke directly with. Arrive 5 minutes early, and dont leave until the seminar is complete. Coming in at the last minute, or even later, disrupts the lecture and makes it difficult for the speaker to talk and the students to listen. If you are late or if you need to leave early, dont come to class.

Homework: Purpose: Requirements:

Attendance:

Late Policy:

Participation:

Be engaged and ask questions. Youre paying more than $15,000 per year for an education, so make the most of it. You may never have the opportunity again to learn in such a favorable setting. There are no formal office hours, but students are always welcome to see me. Please contact me by email to set up an appointment. September 4: Graduate Study Opportunities (Prof. Charles Werth) (optional) September 18: Entrepreneurship (Dr. Jed Taylor) (optional) September 25: Professional Registration (Dr. Nancy Gavlin) (mandatory) November 13: Ethics (Prof. Jeremy Guest) (mandatory) December 4: Becoming an Alum (Prof. Amar Elnashai) (mandatory) NOTE: ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL SEMINARS MAY BE ADDED AND WILL BE COMMUNICATED VIA EMAIL - 1 unit = 1 seminar, workshop, or event - 8 units total are required (beyond the 3 mandatory in-class seminars) - From 2-3 units need to be company informational seminars - From 1-2 units need to be interviews (note: this should be a one-on-one interview, and not a discussion in a line at the job fair. Phone interviews are ok. After further consideration, you do not have to include an interview in your 8 units if you already have a job offer). - From 1-4 units need to be from Engineering Career Services, Graduate College, CEE Workshops/Activities, or optional in class lectures. - 1 unit (no more and no less) needs to be from participating in a career fair

Office Hours: In Class Seminars:

Professional Development Units

Graduate College Seminars: . Partnership for Success Workshop . Wednesday, September 11, 2013 . 11:00 am - 12:00 pm . . Professional Connections for the Job Search: Connecting in person and online . Monday, September 30, 2013 . 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm . . Professional Presentation for the Job Search . Wednesday, October 2, 2013 . 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm . . Graduate Student Panel: What I wish I had known . Tuesday, October 22, 2013 . 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm . . Time Management . Wednesday, October 23, 2013 . 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Engineering Career Services Workshops in Fall 2013:

ECS 101: Welcome to Career Planning Introduction to services offered at ECS and highlights of the more commonly used features such as rsum critiques, mock interviews, and career fairs. Intended for newly enrolled students and those who are less familiar with ECS and are ready to get started on planning their future career path. ECS 105: Rsum Basics Introductory workshop on rsum building for beginners. Focuses on format, structure, and grammar, and walks students through the process of developing their first rsum. Intended for newly enrolled students, as well as all students who are interested in developing their first rsum. ECS 111: Intro to Career Fair Planning Career fair success strategies for students who are new to the career fair planning process. Discusses topics such as appropriate attire, how to plan ahead, and how to follow up after the fair. ECS 127: The Behavioral Interview An in-depth review of the traditional behavioral interview format. Discusses the STAR method, the elevator pitch, and examples of how to answer behavioral interview questions. Intended for newly enrolled students and any students interested in learning more about interviewing basics. ECS 150: Breaking the Barrier* International students: This workshop discusses the invisible barrier frequently encountered by international students which often makes getting a job in the U.S. difficult. Learn strategies, statistics, and facts about international student employment in the U.S. and break down that barrier! ECS 185: Open Forum Q&A for Beginners* An open-forum discussion session for newly enrolled students and those with general questions about the career planning process, facilitated by a career services professional. ECS 225: Branding Yourself on Social Media* Discussion on social media outlets, your online/digital identity, and your digital footprint. Intended for all students. ECS 226: LinkedIn and Professional Networking in the Digital Era Discusses leveraging social media in the job search, focusing on LinkedIn, profiles, and networking skills in the digital world. ECS 301: Getting to your Disney* Whats your dream job and how can you land it? This workshop builds upon the concepts discussed in ECS 101 with a focus on advanced introductions to the services offered at ECS. ECS 305: Advanced Rsum Development* In-depth discussion on rsum development for more experienced students. Intended for advanced students and for students interested in discussing techniques for customizing your rsum for specific opportunities. Certain sessions will include on-site rsum critiques. ECS 320: Career Fair Success Strategies* Career fair planning for veteran career fair attendees. A more in-depth discussion on ways to engage recruiters in meaningful conversations, as well as how to leave them wanting more. Certain sessions will include exercises involving actual corporate recruiters. ECS 335: Impression Management in Interviewing and Recruiting*

A deep dive into the topic of overall impression management, specifically as it relates to the career search. Discusses managing impressions in interviews as well as at career fairs and other recruiting venues. Certain sessions will include an interactive exercise. ECS 350: Get Paid What Youre Worth* Job offer negotiation techniques and strategies. Includes an interactive negotiation exercise, and certain sessions will include an opportunity to win a prize. ECS 385: Advanced Open Forum Q&A* An open-forum discussion session for advanced students and those with specific questions about any aspect of the career planning process, or any service offered at ECS, facilitated by a career services professional. ECS 390: Internships, Co-Ops, Job Shadows, and New Jobs* Discusses different employment arrangements, the benefits of each, things to expect, and ways to prepare. Intended for any students considering one of the listed experiences or who are preparing for their new job.

CEE Seminars and Activities

CEEs rsum review night

Date: Thursday, September 5, 5 pm Location: 1310 Yeh Center Leading questions: Is my rsum job fair ready? Session description: Stop by the CEE B2B rsum review night at 5 pm, and bring your rsum! CEE alumni will be giving a presentation about crafting a winning rsum. Then, after the presentation, you will be able to meet one-on-one with an alumnus who will look over your rsum and offer suggestions for revision. This event is a great way to prepare yourself for the upcoming CEE fall job fair, ECS job fair, and the Engineering Expo. And, of course, there will be pizza.

Recruiters: what they want to hear

Date: Monday, September 9, 5-6 pm Leading questions: How can I become a job fair champion? What is the difference between leaving them a rsum and landing myself an internship/job? Session description: Come to CEE B2Bs Recruiters: what they want to hear from 5-6 pm. Recruiters that will be at the CEE job fair in late September will discuss the things they look for during their brief time with each prospective employee. Presentation will be in panel format: recruiters will answer prepared questions, and students will have the opportunity to ask their own. Dont forget to stick around and enjoy free pizza with recruiters after the panel concludes.

The CEE pre-job fair networking night

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 5-6pm Location: 1310 Yeh Center

Leading questions: What are recruiters like outside of the job fair environment? Where can I go to have extended, laid-back conversations with recruiters? Session description: The CEE Student Committee at the University of Illinois would like to invite you to a student reception and an informal networking event on Wednesday, September 25. The event will provide an opportunity for current CEE students to gain insight from recruiters and engineering professionals, and includes short information sessions by each company. Approximately 300 students and 12 companies participate.

Powering through the interview

Date: Friday, October 11, 5-6 pm

Location: 1310 Yeh Center Leading questions: How can I give all the right answers? How should I prepare for the unknowns of an interview? What are the different types of interview questions, and how can I be ready for each one? Session description: Interviews can be unnerving. Come learn how to put the nerves to bed at the CEE B2B Powering Through the Interview seminar. CEE alumni will be giving a presentation designed to explore the interview from both points of view: the employers and the prospective employees. Develop question answering strategies and skills that will help you leave a great impression on the interview team. Come with questionsthere will be a chance to ask them afterwards over free pizza.

Negotiating salary and job benefits

Date: Wednesday, October 16, 5-6 pm Location: 1310 Yeh Center Leading questions: What is my expertise really worth to employers? What kind of an impression will my negotiating leave on them? Session description: This panel discussion will bring representatives from Engineering Career Services, the universitys School of Labor and Employment Relations, and other professional areas together to focus on an often-overlooked aspect of ones career: workplace negotiation. Learn about common pitfalls of workplace negotiation, how men and women negotiate differently, and how you can translate communication skills into an increased salary and better benefits. One immediate benefit: pizza and meet and greet with the panelists after the discussion.

What to Expect in the Workplace

Date: Thursday, October 24, 5-6pm Location: 1310 Yeh Center Leading questions: What should I expect in my first few months on the job? First year? How does the firm I choose affect working environment and conditions and opportunities for career advancement? Session description: Come learn how to adapt to the workplace as an intern or new hire. This panel discussion brings together CEE graduates working in a variety of private fields such as consulting, design, and construction, as well as public sector municipalities and governmental agencies, to discuss their own personal working environments and conditions. Panelists will share advice on how to match your personality with workplace expectations and how to position oneself for career advancement.

CAREER FAIRS
. Consulting Forum ~ September 6, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (I Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 S. First St., Champaign ) Engineering Career Fair (sponsored by Engineering Career Services) ~ September 9-10, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Illini Union Rooms A-C) Business Career Fair ~ September 18-20, 12 noon -5:00pm (ARC) Engineering Employment Expo (sponsored by Engineering Council) ~ September 23-25, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Illini Union Rooms A-C) Civil and Environmental Engineering Fair ~ September 26, 9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. (Newmark Lab)

CEE Honor Code To foster and promote integrity among students, the CEE Honor Code was developed with input from several CEE undergraduate organizations, the CEE Graduate Student Advisory Committee, and the CEE Graduate Affairs Committee. You (the student) commit to honor the code each time you sign an exam, and implicitly whenever you sign homework or other class assignments. The CEE Honor Code pledge is the following: I pledge to uphold the highest levels of professional and personal integrity in all of my actions, including 1) never assisting or receiving unfair assistance during exams, 2) never assisting or receiving assistance on class assignments beyond that specified by an instructor, and 3) always fully contributing to group activities that are part of a course activity.