Assignments

Choose three positive things and three difficult things about a job or a major responsibility in life. This can be a paid or volunteer position, a hobby, etc. Students must use PowerPoint during this 3-5 minute presentation.

This assignment aims for students to accomplish the following:

to familiarize students with speaking to an audience,

to depend only minimally, if at all, on notes,

to use PowerPoint with at least three slides:

	1) three good points
	2) three bad points
	3) one final thought

to enhance eye contact,

to express thoughts clearly and concisely, and

to recognize the inherent value of all human beings by demonstrating the importance of effectively and respectfully communicating with all members of society, including women, people with varied cultural backgrounds, people with special needs, and others.

Small Group Discussion: My Two Cents Worth

Click on the link. We will discuss details in class.

Business Presentation

Based on chapters 9-12, students will design and deliver a 3-5 minute presentation based on one of the two scenarios listed below. In reviewing each scenario, use the four-step problem-solving process discussed in Chapter 9. During the presentation, at least five PowerPoint slides are required; one slide should include a pie chart or bar graph to visually represent numerical data. Follow the two guidelines listed at the top of this page.

1. Present to the class three innovative methods college students may use to increase income and/or lower expenses for full-time college students. Methods should be ethical, realistic and useful. Do not suggest methods already used by the majority of students, e.g. retail jobs, waiting tables, and the like.

2. Emmanuel's Office of Alumni & Development has asked you to devise a strategy to sell Emmanuel apparel and small gift items to students and alumni in an effort to raise $10,000 this academic year. It is your job to determine which items should be sold, what to charge, and how they will be marketed to EC students and alumni. A very important aspect of this project is determining costs versus profit. If you can not find a way to generate a $10,000 profit, you will lose your job.

Career Presentation

Identify, contact and interview one professional (face to face, in person) who can help you meet your career goals. You must submit a written proposal to the instructor for approval of your choice before the interview. After the interview, you will share three main points with the class in a 3-5 minute presentation. (See Presentation Guidelines at the top of this page.)

Goals

The career search interview assignment aims to satisfy these goals:

	to reduce anxiety about interviewing,
	to develop communication skills in informational interviewing,
	to help in making personal contacts with people who can you meet your career goals,
	to gather information about a specific job or company.

Written Proposal (see example)

Before interviewing anyone, students must meet these objectives by submitting this proposal to the instructor:

list at least three of your career goals.
include the person's contact info: 1) full name, 2) position or title, 3) name of company/organization, 4) address, 5) e-mail and phone number.
describe how you know or learned about this person.
explain why this person is your choice, i.e., how s/he will help you meet your career goals.
list 5-7 questions you will ask the interviewee.
e-mail this proposal to the instructor for approval; see Class Schedule for November due date.
after getting approval from the instructor, proceed with the interview.

Speech

After the interview, students will share what they have learned with the class in a 3-5 minute presentation. Focus on these main points: preparing for that particular job or career, communication skills needed for that job or career, examples of experiences in that person's job. As you organize your speech's introduction, body and conclusion, remember to follow the Speech Checklist. PowerPoint is required. Click here for speech rubric (evaluation form).