ALS360 - Professional Development

ALS360 - Professional Development 


This course has Craig Adams and me as instructors, however many topics will have guest speakers. When we  designed the course content we tried to include topics that we think are important for understanding corporate and general business culture and provide tools to understand personalities (oneself included) better and improve individual professional areas will be identified.

Description

This course is designed around four broad themes: effective writing, oral communications, teamwork and leadership. Classes will be a blend of interactive lectures, from faculty and industry executives, and workshops. Oral and written exercises will be coordinated with individual and team projects in ALS 320 and ALS 359, and students will participate in faculty and peer reviews to help each other improve professional skills.

Textbook
Hoffmann, Angelika H. Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations. Oxford University Press. 2010.

Topics Covered

·        Finding and citing information - Pubmed and database searching, reference software, patent searches

·        Working with different personalities – Myers-Briggs personality analysis, interpersonal communication styles

·        Strategies for project success and adapting to reality – elements of team and project management

·        Interview Techniques – interview styles in different job areas

·        Writing skills workshop – elements of individual writing and plagiarism

·        Diversity, Harassment – diversity and harassment at KGI and in corporate culture setting

·        Corporate communication – professional report writing, email etiquette

·        Teamwork and Conflict Resolution

·        Critical Thinking and Analysis -

·        Professional Presentation Skills – organizing and presenting information in front of different stakeholders

Learning Objectives

After completion of this course students should:

1)      Effectively communicate technical concepts to executives, peers, employees and lay audiences.

2)      Understand team dynamics and be able to deal with conflicts and issues that arise during projects.

3)      Understand the different roles and responsibilities required for effective project management.

4)      Understand business etiquette and ethical practices necessary for a successful career in industry

5)      Understand the personal professional skills that need to be further developed to be an effective leader and team player.