Career Plan

BUS 150 – Business Communication

Individual Career Project

Instructions
For this assignment students should conduct career exploration research and prepare the

employment communication documents outlined. You will need to do the following:

1) Career Exploration Memo

Research a job position/career you are interested in pursuing and prepare a memorandum

to me which identifies the position/career and provides information on work environment;

duties involved; requirements in terms of skills, education, work experience; salary range,

and opportunities (is career field expected to experience a decrease or increase in job

opportunities).

In your essay, also reflect on your academic journey and performance. What skills are you

developing that will transfer to the labor force. What skills do you see as crucial in your

career development? How have you developed or improved these skills in your academic

journey? To answer these questions, review the chart below outlining seven skill sets

employers have identified as crucial in career readiness development:

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Website

Page -2-

The last page of the memo (which should not be more than two pages) should be a reference

page (APA Format) of resource(s) used in research. Even if your overall goal is to own a

business, you should focus on building the skills you will need (managerial, financial,

marketing, etc.) and start to build networks in the industry you want to enter. Therefore,

explore a position/title that will allow you to start networking.

2) Create/Update Resume

Create or update your resume as necessary with current skills, experience, education, etc.,

acquired. The resume should NOT be made up as it should not be related to the actual

position you eventually want to apply for (unless you are in that sector and building skills).

It can be a resume as well as cover letter used to apply to a previous position, but updated

with any new skills, etc. (Contact information can be made up for security purposes.)

3) Prepare Cover Letter

Prepare a cover letter for the position as indicated in step 2 (not for your long term

career goal); adhering to appropriate letter format.

4) Proofread all documents: the memo, cover letter, and resume.

In the “Reviewing” phase of the letter and resume, make sure to review wording, tense, spelling,

date format and document formatting (appropriate block letter format and resume format).

Submit these three documents in the submission link that will be provided in Blackboard.

1st Deadline: January 20 (Work submitted by January 20 will receive

feedback and can be revised, if necessary.

Final Due Date: January 22 – No work will be accepted after January 22.

NOTE:

This is an Individual Career Project for the semester and is worth 10 percent of your final

grade. In order to earn the best grade possible in the class, this assignment must be completed

and submitted by the 1st due date to allow for feedback and revisions to improve grade (if

necessary).