Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Career theories, research, planning and management are relatively recent social concepts. For generations there was little freedom to choose one’s occupation or career path. Our direction in life was preset by our families. Sons of blacksmiths learned the trade of blacksmithing. Sons of farmers became farmers, sons of factory workers became factory workers and daughters became housewives and mothers. But in the last century, career options have increased exponentially with new occupations emerging on a regular basis. As societies move through an industrial revolution and the lo wer and middle classes increase their earnings and education, there is a search for a career that satisfies more than a paycheck to support a family. For decades, this desire has driven the search for theories and tools to assist people in finding a job that is a fit for their interests, values, skills and abilities.
This course will provide an overview of career theories and their application. In addition to readings there will be career assessment inventories, reflection on the relevance and possible impact of theories and/or assessments, an informational interview and development of documents needed for a career search.
In reviewing the most popular career theorists and authors we will examine their research, exercises and instruments. To best understand their concepts, we will focus on the theorist or author’s ideas and test them against our own life experiences. We want to be objective and consider the concept from a variety of perspectives.
Delivery
This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and MyCourses, a computer conferencing program. MyCourses requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
Prerequisites
None. Please note: This course is intended primarily for college level juniors or seniors.
Instructor
Joan Smothers, MSE
Joan Smothers is the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Programs for the College of Business Administration at the University of Northern Iowa. She received her Master of Science in Education and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
Joan is certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and has over 12 years of experience working with the MBTI in groups and with individuals. Joan has 11 years of career services experience where she assisted college students in identifying majors, researching occupations and gaining co-op, internship and full-time work experience.
In her current position, she works with undergraduate and pre-MBA students in course selection, gaining admission to the College of Business Administration, academic and career concerns and developing plans to successfully meet their academic and short term career goals.
Evaluation
10 assignments, 1 midterm, 1 final report
Learning objectives
To develop an awareness and understanding of career theories and decision making techniques in career planning and management.
Understand the research behind some of the most commonly used career inventories and exercises.
Compare and contrast one’s personal results with the intended benefit of the theory/assessment
Learn how to effectively use a variety of information resources to explore career options.
Develop the skills and materials needed to successfully navigate one’s career throughout a lifetime.
Course organization
Assignment 3
Career Fit: Determining Work Environment & Personal Traits
Assignment 4
Psychological Type
Assignment 5
Societal Impact on Career Options
Midterm Report
Assignment 6
Vocation to Avocation
Assignment 7
World of Work: Gaining Occupational Knowledge
Assignment 8
Portfolio Development
Assignment 9
Utilizing People in the Job Search Process
Assignment 10
Personal Self-Efficacy – Marketing You
Final Report
Each assignment consists of readings around a specific theory, concept, assessment or career search practice. After completion of the assigned readings there will be a number of ways the concepts are to be applied with written assignments. Written Assignments may include:
Reflective questions to which you are to give a response of 100 – 250 words. Questions should include a summary of the readings and a connection to your life.
Completion of an inventory or exercise with a response as to the relevance of the information to your situation.
Sharing of personal reflections and experiences to reinforce or dispute established concepts and instruments.
Developing documents involved in the job search.
Reports
There is a midterm report and a final report. Each report will integrate the material that was previously covered. Each report will be worth 75 points.
Grading
Your final grade will be based on the written assignments, exercises for each of the 10 assignments and 2 reports. You must turn in all sections of the 10 written assignments and both reports in order to pass this course. Your grade will be based upon a standard scale. The total number of course points is 500. 150 points for reports (midterm/75 & final/75) and 350 points for the assignments [35 points x 10 assignments].
| A = 94% | 470 |
| A - = 90% | 450 |
| B+ = 86% | 430 |
| B = 84% | 420 |
| B- = 82% | <410 |
| C+ = 78% | 390 |
| C = 76% | 380 |
| C- = 74% | 370 |
| D+ = 70% | 350 |
| D = 68% | 340 |
| D- = 66% | 330 |
| F = below 66% | 329 or less |
Textbook(s)
Course Packet of articles provided by the Guided Independent Study Office.
Tieger, P. & Barron-Tieger, B. (2007) Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type.
Texts are available from www.bookfinder.com
University Book and Supply carries most books used in guided independent study.
To search for textbooks by course, click on "Select a Campus Term" and select Univ.Northern Iowa - Guided Independent Study
Visit the store at 1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu