DLS (Synchronous Virtual Class Meetings Required). Course instruction is online and will be held via Zoom of which a link will be sent out in an announcement and listed on Blackboard before the class begins. Course instruction includes required real-time virtual class meetings on the days and times listed on the ACC online schedule. Tests will be taken online and may require proctoring which can be accessed for free on your computer. The following is also required: 

• MANDATORY online orientation and orientation Quiz.
• This class is time and computer intensive, requiring 6 -10 or more hours per week to complete assignments.  

Required Online Resources

• An Adobe Creative Cloud subscription — to access the software in the labs and for your own use.
• Blackboard
• ACC Google Apps: including calendar, docs and drive
• High speed Internet access required along with a webcam and ability to communicate while online. 
• Access to a browser such as FireFox. 

If you have any questions, contact me, Linda Smarzik, by email at lsmarzik@austincc.edu.

Course Prerequisites:

None

Credit Hours: 1*

*All courses offered in the Visual Communication department are workforce courses, and may have some transfer restrictions to other colleges. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with the departmental advisor: Jen Jones, or an Area of Study advisor.

Contact Hours:

Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3

Instructional Methodology

The teaching methods in this class are based on professional experience in the design industry. These methods will include: lectures, guest speakers, class discussion, group activities and student presentations.

Required Texts & Materials

Textbook

There is no designated textbook for this course. Instead we will utilize the following materials to provide a variety of content for this course:

• lectures
• handouts – Download the ACC Career Essentials Student Reference Guide
• articles
• videos
• interviews
• and guest speakers

Catalog Description:

Introduction to the process of career decision-making, educational planning, and job searching. Topics include analyzing personal career interests, skills, values, and aptitudes; surveying and researching fields with related educational and training requirements; practicing a decision-making process; and basic job search skills such as completing applications, writing letters of application, developing and using resumes, and interviewing.

Course Rationale:

Career Exploration in Visual Communication provides students the opportunity to explore career opportunities in the design and advertising industry, create personal career goals, connect with industry professionals and develop their interviewing skills.

Assignments and Grading

Below is a list of assignments and their grade percentages for this course. If any of these projects or grades change, I will notify you of those changes before we continue with the project. Grades will be computed on a 100 point scale. Projects along with attendance, participation and presentation contribute to your final grade for the class. I will grade and return your projects to you on or before the time the next project is due.

Your final grade in this course will be assessed as follows:

• 32% | Written Responses
• 50% | Minor Projects
• 18% | Capstone: Professional Journey Presentation

A grading rubric will be provided for each project.

Written Response: 

There are (8) total Written Responses. Each response is worth 4 points towards your final grade. 

Minor Projects:

There are (5) total minor projects. Each project is worth 10 points towards your final grade. You will receive a project sheet outlining the objectives and instructions for the project.

Capstone Project:

The capstone project for this course will consist of a presentation of everything you’ve learned throughout the course. The capstone project is worth 18 points towards your final grade. 

What you’ll learn to do by the end of this course:

1. Analyzing personal career interests, skills, values, and aptitudes; 
2. Surveying and researching fields with related educational and training requirements;
3. Practicing a decision-making process; 
4. Practicing basic job search skills such as completing applications, writing letters of application, developing and using resumes, and interviewing.

What you’ll learn to do by the end of this program: 

• Identify personal strengths and opportunities for growth
• Describe industry opportunities in the local job market
• Discover and connect with resources to achieve your career goals.
• Create a personal brand
• Prepare and Present Professional Journey Capstone Project

What you’ll learn that will help in the workforce [on the job]:

Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS): In 1989, the U.S. Department of Labor education jointly surveyed U.S. employers to find out the most important skills and competencies needed by workers. The results of that survey identified SCANS (Secretaries Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills). These are skills that employers need the most from their workers. SCANS skills are the predictors of success in workplace. The following is a list of SCAN competencies identified in this course.

For expanded definitions of the above listed SCANS, please go to: http://www.academicinnovations.com/report.html