Faculty Resources

Grab-and-Go Career Development Assignments

Career development conversations happen all across campus. We know that faculty often serve as go-to resources for students for a variety of needs, including career-related questions, and that many are intentional about incorporating career development materials into their classes. We’ve created career assignments covering a number of areas that can be used in your courses. We welcome you to select any assignments you need and customize these materials to fit your goals.  If you would like to brainstorm creating lessons, activities, and assignments for your class or group, please contact us – 413-572-5206 or careers@westfield.ma.edu.  

Career Exploration

Learning Goals:

1. Student will demonstrate the ability to connect with a professional in the field of potential career interest
2. Student will produce evidence of developing thoughtful questions to elicit personally meaningful insight into the field of interest
3. Student will demonstrate the ability to write a professionally acceptable thank you letter
4. Student will articulate in writing knowledge and insight gained into the career field of interest

Assignments:

Supplemental Resources:

Resumes & Cover Letters

Learning Goals:

1. Student will produce a professional resume suitable for use in pursuing career opportunities, internships, and/or other experiential education opportunities
2. Student will be able to define the purpose of a cover letter and explain the key elements
3. Student will demonstrate the ability to write a business letter with appropriate formatting

Assignments:

  • Find a position you are interested in and complete “Tailoring Your Cover Letters” worksheet
  • Draft a resume and cover letter. Contact the Career Center to have your documents reviewed.  Turn in your initial draft, review feedback, and an updated copy of your resume and cover letter.

Supplemental Resources:

Job & Internship Search

Learning Goals:

1. Student will obtain familiarity with job and internship search resources, and how to construct an effective, targeted search for opportunities
2. Using Online Job Search Analysis worksheet, student will demonstrate ability to critically analyze job postings to be able to judge appropriateness and “fit” for their current job search goals
3. Student will conduct an internship search and prepare application materials as if they were actually applying for a position. Student will practice developing an effective resume and cover letter as well as become familiar with internship search strategies.
4. Student will also examine how their classroom learning can be articulated as workplace skills

Assignments:

Supplemental Resources:

 

LinkedIn & Networking

Learning Goals:

1. Student will develop an understanding of the core concept of networking
2. Student will learn and map out ways to grow their network
3. Student will identify networking goals for the semester
4. Student will develop a professionally acceptable online presence
5. Student will navigate the premier professional networking site, LinkedIn
6. Student will create the beginnings of an online professional network on which to build

Assignments:

Supplemental Resources:

Career Fair Readiness

Learning Goals:

  1. Connect skills gained through academic majors to the workplace
  2. Identify skills and key experiences and determine how to share those with employers through resume development and during career fair interaction
  3. Identify knowledge, experience, and personal qualities related to career interests.
  4. Broaden understanding of career possibilities including employers, industries, and specific careers
  5. Prepare for and engage in professional networking

 

Assignments:

 

Supplemental Resources:

Interview Preparation

Learning Goals:

1. Name four key areas to know before interviewing
2. Define components of STAR method
3. Identify appropriate attire for interviews
4. Craft compelling answers to interview questions
5. Compile list of questions to ask employers

Assignments:

  • Using the Interview Guide, select an interview outfit from your current wardrobe and try it on. Students could be asked to wear their outfit to class, submit a photo of their outfit or write a brief description of their outfit.
  • Write draft answers to common interview questions or questions commonly asked in your field (The Career Center maintains a comprehensive list of common interview questions by industry).
  • Write a list of five possible questions to ask at the end of an interview with an explanation of why those questions are important to you.
  • Complete a mock interview with the Career Center staff
  • STAR Method for Interviewing Assignment
  • Interview Prep: Employer Research Assignment
  • Creating an Elevator Pitch Assignment

Supplemental Resources:

 

Contact us to present to your class!