COOP 101 Course Overview - Topics and Materials

Career Assessment

Self-exploration and Career Exploration: Students will learn how to identify their interests, skills, abilities, values, and goals and how these influence their career path.  Students will explore different jobs, careers, and specific companies that are of interest to them.  Students will begin to understand how self-exploration is the foundation of a successful job search and of lifelong career planning.

Reading: Career Exploration.
Worksheet(s): Career Assessment Workbook.

Resume Development

The importance of the resume as a marketing tool for one’s job search will be reviewed.  Students will use the assessment of their skills and abilities from previous class to begin creating their own resume.  Students will be taught basic resume layout, styles, and general guidelines.  There will be a discussion of how to customize resumes for specific majors and industries.

Reading: Writing Your Resume.
Worksheet(s): Career Assessment Workbook (Con'd).

Drexel SCDConline Resume

Students will be taught how to enter and format their resume(s) in the SCDConline system. They will also be taught how to access the resources available through the SCDC: Co-op Coordinator information, ES&P archives, and SCDC web site components.

Reading: Creating Your SCDConline Resume.
Worksheet(s): None.

Interview Process

Students will learn about overall guidelines for successful interviewing.  Various types of interviews, the role and responsibility of the participants, preparation and research, dress criteria, and follow-up etiquette including thank you notes will be presented.

Reading: Interviewing.
Worksheet(s): None.

Interview Skills

Students will practice interview skills in class through role-playing activities utilizing sample job descriptions.  Effective answers to frequently asked questions will be reviewed. 

Reading: Interviewing. (Con'd).
Worksheet(s): Thirty Second Commercial Worksheet.

SCDConline Job Search and SCDC Policies and Procedures

Students will receive a comprehensive outline of Drexel’s Cooperative Education policies and procedures, including those related to Drexel’s online recruitment-management system, SCDConline.  A display and explanation of the different stages of the online job search process will be reviewed. 

Reading: Conducting Your SCDConline Job Search.
Worksheet(s): None.

Independent Job Search

Students will be introduced to the steps in searching for a job outside of the SCDConline system.  The value and advantages of pursuing an independent search will be reviewed as well as methods of finding information about companies/organization, strategies for networking, “cold-calling” employers, writing cover letters, and resources available through the SCDC, including the resources available in the Career Services Library. The importance of a concurrent independent job search and how successfully to complete an SCDC Job Search Journal will be reinforced.

Reading: Your Independant Job Search.
Worksheet(s): Independent Job Search Workbook.

Workplace Issues

Students will learn about professional conduct in the workplace and other issues such as sexual harassment, appropriate use of company resources, professional attire, tardiness, etc.   Emphasis will be placed on communication skills with potential supervisors, coworkers, and customers. Students will be presented with a number of actual workplace scenarios and will identify common workplace behaviors to avoid while on co-op, as well as positive attributes that employers look for in co-op students.

Reading: Tips for On the Job Success.
Worksheet(s): None.