Communication for Career Success (5 cr)

Objective

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
-critically analyse job application documents to identify strengths and weaknesses.
-produce competitive job applications in a variety of formats and for different purposes.
-identify and create professional employment messages at all stages of the application process.
-perform competently and professionally in a job interview.
-research, identify and cite relevant sources for improving career literacy.
-produce a professional portfolio for career purposes.
-critically analyse a variety of corporate messages.
-research, plan, design, facilitate and present a managerial event/seminar.

Content

This course builds on the written and oral communication skills and competencies acquired in year 1.

-Planning, drafting, editing and tailoring competitive job applications in a variety of media and formats.
-Personal branding.
-Preparing and taking part in a job interview.
-Career literacy. Preparation for placement, graduate job, employment.
-Presentation skills for managerial contexts.
-Corporate communication topics.
-Professional report writing.
-Career portfolio building.

Location and time

Classroom-based contact sessions. Participation in the simulation takes place outside class time and may be online.

Materials

You will receive a recommended book list at the start of the course.
You will also receive many links to online material. You should also register with and use resources in the HigherEd & JobTeaser platforms. You should also look at the OMA workspace MBS AMMATTIHARJOITTELU - WORK PLACEMENT & the PLACEMENT INTERNSHIP + JOB APPLICATIONS + USEFUL LINKS folder in the EBA & IBL - Student information - Metropolia Business School OMA workspace.

Teaching methods

We use a variety of methods in contact classes; facilitated class and group discussions, guest speakers, seminars, workshops, role play, simulations, consultations and portfolio tasks. Students are expected to participate actively in contact classes, feedback sessions and the interview simulation. Some sessions may be online and some material online. The course is contact-teaching based but the simulation part may be conducted online.

Employer connections

Guest speakers from working life
Alumni guest speakers
Interview simulation
Close connections with internship

Exam schedules

See separate assignment instructions for the portfolio tasks, seminars and alternative project.
There is no exam or resit exam for this skills-based contact-class course. If you fail to submit or participate in any of the assessed elements by the agreed deadline, you will have to resubmit or complete the assignment at a later date. Late submissions will incur grade deductions.
If you fail part of the course, you should discuss alternative completion arrangements with the lecturer. In these cases, the student’s final grade is usually lower than for those students who have attended classes and been active participants.

International connections

Possible connections with alumni guest speakers abroad.
Extensive integration of international exchange students with work placement experience.

Student workload

5 credits = approximately 130 hours of work which can be broken down as follows
Contact or online classes/seminars 40 hours
Seminar participation and presentations 25 hours
Individual work on career documents, portfolio & simulation 65 hours

Content scheduling

Please follow the detailed course schedule in the Admin folder. Changes may occur.

Further information

This is a contact-based course with no alternative completion.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student has achieved the course objectives fairly. The student will be able to identify, define and use the course subject area’s concepts and models. The student understands the criteria and principles of the expertise development.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has achieved the course objectives well, even though the knowledge and skills need improvement on some areas. The student is able to define the course concepts and models and are able to justify the analysis. The student is able to apply his/her knowledge in leisure, study and work situations. The student understands the importance of expertise in the field of business and is able to analyze his/her own expertise.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has achieved the objectives of the course with excellent marks. The student masters commendably the course subject area’s concepts and models. The student is able to make justified and fluent analysis and to present concrete development measures. The student is well prepared to apply his/her knowledge in leisure, study and work situations. The student is able to analyze the business sector expertise and the development of his/her own expertise.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student has achieved the course objectives fairly. The student will be able to identify, define and use the course subject area’s concepts and models. The student understands the criteria and principles of the expertise development.

Assessment methods and criteria

See separate assignment instructions and grading criteria for the seminars and portfolio tasks. Changes to grading guidelines may occur.
COURSE PARTICIPATION 10% (includes: meeting deadlines, active attendance, seminar attendance)
SEMINARS & PRESENTATIONS 30%
SIMULATION 10 %
CAREER PORTF0LIO TASKS 50%
If you fail to submit or participate in any of the assessed elements by the agreed deadline, you will have to resubmit or complete the assignment at a later date. Late submissions will incur grade deductions.
If you fail part of the course, you should discuss alternative completion arrangements with the lecturer. In these cases, the student’s final grade is usually lower than for those students who have attended classes and been active participants.

Qualifications

Communication for Global Business
(The equivalent of basic business writing and presentation skills)