ALES IP eClass: Making Sense of Your Work Experience

Course Outline
2017/18

Instructors: Tonya Whelan

Course Description: Your work experience term(s) offers you the opportunity to apply the skills and
knowledge that you gained in the classroom to a professional setting. In addition, throughout your work
term(s), you will develop skills and knowledge that will enhance your academic experience upon
completing when you return to your studies. This eClass will help direct your workplace learning and
guide you through your work experience term(s). You will also have the opportunity to reflect on your
experiences and how what you have learned will impact your long range career development.

Course Goals
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Identify expectations for workplace professionalism
2. Prepare and prioritize learning objectives for your work term
3. Reflect on what you learn in the workplace to become more self-aware
4. Identify multiple factors that can influence your career
5. Assess and analyze progress and achievements in your career development.
6. Integrate the skills and knowledge you developed in your work experience to map your next steps
and reflect on the implications for your post-graduate transition.

Learning Process
You are responsible for completing and submitting all assignments based on the noted deadlines below.
The assignments are designed to enrich your learning during your work term. You should plan to spend
approximately 30 minutes on the course each week. If you are on a longer duration work term (e.g. 12 or
16 months) you will spend less time on the course in the middle of your work term.

Deadlines
Although the course is designed for you to progress at your own pace, there are a few assignments that
should be submitted to meet the deadlines specified below.

Evaluation
This eClass is a required component of your Work Experience Courses (WKEXP 982, 983, 984, 985,
986). WKEXP courses are graded as credit (CR) or non-credit (NC), meaning you do not receive a letter
grade but the course(s) is(are) listed on your transcript. This eClass contributes to your final WKEXP
course credit. Assignments in this course will be marked as complete using the specific assignment
criteria as provided in the assignment descriptions.

Course Outline
The assignments are designed to encourage flexibility in pursuing topics that pertain to your unique work
term.

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Module Topic Assignments

1. Workplace In this module you will: Reflection: What are your expectations
Expectations and  Review common for your work term?
Professionalism professional standards and
reflect on how these Due: One week before work term begins
standards apply to your
work term Word count = 250 words max
 Explore ways to use your
work term as a learning
opportunity
 Establish and reflect on the
expectations you have for
your work experience

2. Communication In this module you will learn: Reflection: How was your first week?
 How effective
communication plays an Due: by end of day Monday of the second
important role in having a week of your work term
positive work experience
 Tips to have a better Word count = 250 words max
conversation
 Strategies to help establish
communication preferences
with your supervisor
 How to write professional
emails based on
communication best
practices.

3. Time and Project In this module you will: No assignment

Management  Learn about time
management strategies so
you are better able to
effectively manage your
time.
 Understand how to
prioritize work tasks.
 Be able to manage projects
from start to finish,
understanding the basic
principles of project
management.
 Identify influencers in
scheduling that can affect
how to best balance your
time

4. Learning In this module you will: Learning Objectives

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Objectives  Develop and understanding
for what an objective is and Due: by the end of the fourth week of your
how directed learning is work term.
important
 Formulate Learning ** Please discuss with supervisor prior to
Objectives relating to your submitting
work term using the
SMART model (as Word count = 250 - 400 words per
described in module). Learning Objective
 Create an action plan to
fulfill your Learning
Objectives

5. Information In this module you will: Information Interview and Reflection

Interviews  Learn how to information
interview and the value they Due: by the end of the third month of work
play in your own career term
planning
 Explore new roles and Word count = 350 max
career options within your
organization or industry
 Reflect on information
interviews to identify which
factors might influence your
career development.
 Identify which factors are
currently influencing your
career development.

6. Conflict In this module you will learn how No assignment

Management to:
 Demonstrate effective
communication skills in
stressful work place
situations.
 Interpret how and why your
colleagues’ perspectives
may be different than yours
and how to address those
differences.
 Apply active listening skills
to manage conflict.
 Identify the components of
difficult conversations and
conflict.

7. Revisit/revise In this module you will: Revisit/revise your Learning Objectives

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Learning Objectives  Revisit your learning
objectives and evaluate if
you have achieved the
goals
 Revise your learning
objectives as needed to
account for new goals
and/or modifications to
goals
Due: at the end of month six for those on
8-16 month work terms (those on shorter
work terms are not required to submit this
assignment, though are encouraged to
engage in the practice of revisiting your
objectives to get the most out of your
experience)
Word count = 250 - 400 words per
Learning Objective

8. Review Your In this module you will learn how Favourite moment reflection
Accomplishments to:
 Analyze what skills you Due: One month prior to the end of your
have developed in your internship
work term
 Identify the skills and Word count = 250 max
knowledge required for your
industry and how you can
continue to develop these
skills for future
opportunities
 Reflect on your
accomplishments and what
they mean to you and your
future career

9. Map Your Next In this module you will: Final Report – your choice of:
Steps  Reflect on your experience  Written report
and identify the skills,  Presentation or video
knowledge and
achievements you have
gained Due: Final report must be submitted two
 Identify the areas of your weeks before the end of your work term in
work experience that you order to process your credit for the
liked, areas that you would WKEXP course.
have liked to change and
how those aspects play into
Word count = depends on chosen project
your preferred future
 Create a plan for next steps (please see ALES IP Assignment
in your career development Breakdown for details).
 Think about ways to
maintain your professional Resume and Cover letter Update
network
 Identify ways in which you Due: 1 week prior to the end of your work
can address your skills and term
knowledge gaps to assist
with your career
development.

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Learning and working environment
The Faculty of ALES is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and
study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate
behaviour that undermines that environment. The department urges anyone who feels that this policy is
being violated to:
• Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or
• If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is inappropriate or
threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the Student Ombuds
Office: (http://www.ombudservice.ualberta.ca/ ). Information about the University of Alberta
Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is described in UAPPOL at
https://policiesonline.ualberta.ca/PoliciesProcedures/Pages/DispPol.aspx?PID=110 .

Academic Integrity and Honesty:

“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and
honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to
uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize
themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/CodeofStude
ntBehaviour.aspx ) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating,
plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious
offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”

All students should consult the information provided by the Office of Judicial Affairs regarding avoiding
cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic dishonesty in general (see the Academic Integrity
Undergraduate Handbook and Information for Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class,
ask the instructor.

An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not
possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other
students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process .

Attendance, Absences, and Missed Grade Components:

Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of potentially excusable
absences due to illness or domestic affliction, notify your instructor by e-mail within two days. Regarding
absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result,
consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will
result in partial or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and participation” component(s) of a course,
as well as for any assignments that are not handed-in or completed as a result.

In this course, With the exception of the week one review, Learning Objectives and plan and revisions,
assignments will be submitted at your own pace and you are encouraged to follow the suggested
schedules. Assignments must be received within two weeks of the end of your work term.

Policy for Late Assignments:

Extensions will be dealt with on a case to case basis and are dependent on extenuating circumstances.
Should you require extra time to complete required assignments, let the course coordinator know as soon
as possible.

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Student Accessibility Services:
If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the
first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you are not already registered
with Specialized Support & Disability Services, contact their office immediately (2-800 SUB; Email
sasrec@ualberta.ca; Email; phone 780-492-3381; WEB www.ssds.ualberta.ca ).

Grading:
Grading for assignments will be assigned as complete or incomplete.