Course Description
In this capstone course, students participate in a supervised professional experience and develop their final graduation portfolio (online and print). Students may work in a communication role for an employer or complete a communication project for a client. They produce a plan for generating contract work or securing a position as a professional communicator. They also complete a final project (group or individual) that demonstrates their skill as a professional communicator.
Course Content
1. Business Skills for Professional Communicators
Students will
- review professional readiness skills (networking, resumes, interviewing), as needed.
- identify methods of work delivery.
- review and draft proposals for communication jobs.
- review and draft communication-project contracts.
- estimate the cost of a communication project and prepare an invoice.
- learn how to set up a professional office.
- understand basic tax requirements for self-employed communication professionals.
- identify the features of a small business plan of particular importance for self-employed communication professionals.
2. Professional Experience
Students will
- meet with the program coordinator to discuss and clarify their professional goals.
- with the program coordinator, develop a set of learning objectives for the professional experience.
- obtain program approval for a suitable professional experience that relates to their studies in professional communication.
- perform the duties assigned by the workplace supervisor/client.
- demonstrate an ability to establish effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, clients, and/or other contractors.
- reflect on the professional experience through completing course assignments (short report, article, and oral presentation).
3. Portfolio Preparation
Students will
- finalize a job-search plan to help identify required elements in the professional portfolio.
- complete a final project (group or individual) that demonstrates their skill as a professional communicator.
- examine different styles of portfolio construction (different content and different formats).
- construct and present a professional portfolio (online and print).
Learning Activities
Some or all of the following methods will be used:
- supervised work experience
- independent research or project
- feedback (instructor, peer, employer) on student work
- online and in-class discussion
- presentations
- guest speakers
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Students will demonstrate their mastery of course material through assignments, involvement in group work, and participation in a public event at the end of term.
Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, ability to meet deadlines, presentation skills, and accurate self-evaluation.
Evaluation will be based on this general format:
| Professional experience |
30% |
| Final project (group or individual) |
20% |
| Portfolio development and presentation |
25% |
| Weekly journal entries |
25% |
| |
100% |
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of current and emerging opportunities for professional communicators.
- apply skills and strategies in a workplace or contractual position in which they are expected to perform as a professional communicator.
- identify valuable professional experience to add to their resumes.
- prepare and present a portfolio (online and print) of exemplary work.
- demonstrate enhanced collaboration and teamwork skills.
Textbook Materials
Students will be required to purchase and/or prepare materials for their final portfolio, including but not limited to an internet domain name, suitable presentation folder, and collateral items such as business cards.