Leveraging the Power of Professional Communities

About this course: In a very competitive workplace, establishing, growing, and leveraging your professional community can make all the difference as you search for your initial work opportunity, improve satisfaction at your current job, or find your next work adventure. In this course, you will learn how to tap into your existing personal and professional networks to find your tribe and then leverage your professional community for your benefit (and sometimes the benefit of your employer!). Given that job satisfaction and job opportunities, are often integrally intertwined with “doing good,” you will engage in an introspective exercise evaluating your interests and values so you can incorporate those ideals into your work. Finally, you will understand how service experiences can be extremely valuable in growing your professional community and contributing to company success.

Who is this class for: Recent college graduates or those struggling to take the next step in their career.

Created by:  University of California, San Diego

• Taught by:  Jess Yuen

• Taught by:  Gretchen Laue

Level Beginner Commitment 10 hours of video lecture, readings, learning activities Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from your peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

University of California, San Diego UC San Diego is an academic powerhouse and economic engine, recognized as one of the top 10 public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Innovation is central to who we are and what we do. Here, students learn that knowledge isn't just acquired in the classroom—life is their laboratory.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Understand the Power of Professional Communities



12 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Video: Welcome and Course Overview
2. Video: The Changing Workforce
3. Reading: Read Workplace Articles and download Mind Map for note taking
4. Video: Some Takeaways from your reading and additional suggested readings
5. Discussion Prompt: Discuss What you Have Learned About the Changing Workplace
6. Video: Personal Connections: Their Critical Role in Your Career Success
7. Reading: Successful Networking: The Ultimate Guide by Christopher Barret
8. Video: Introduction of Strong vs. Weak Ties
9. Video: Strong vs. Weak Ties: Reflections by Mary Walshok
10. Video: Additional Learning: Dr. Walshok's Career Path Story
11. Video: Strong vs. Weak Ties
12. Reading: Research Strong vs. Weak Ties
13. Video: Collefriends? Friendilleagues?
14. Video: Voices from the Field
15. Video: Additional Learning: Tim's Career Path Story
16. Video: Module 1 Recap
17. Reading: Unlocking your Professional Potential

Graded: Quiz

WEEK 2


Exploring Your Existing Personal and Professional Communities



9 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Module 2 Overview
2. Video: Gathering Information on your Professional Community
3. Video: Creating a List of Career Contacts from your Personal and Professional Community Information
4. Video: Identify sub groups within your personal and professional communities
5. Video: Analyzing the Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Professional Community
6. Reading: Rubric for Analyzing Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Professional Community
7. Video: Networking for Career Success Introduction
8. Video: Networking for Career Success
9. Video: Introduction to Reflective Essay
10. Reading: Reflective Essay
11. Video: Module 2 Recap

Graded: Exploring your Personal and Professional Community for Career Success

WEEK 3


Building Your Professional Community through Service



7 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Module 3 Overview
2. Video: Building Your Professional Community Through Service
3. Reading: Building Your Professional Community Through Service Resources
4. Video: The Service Learning Model
5. Video: Finding Good Work Through Service to Others
6. Video: Finding Career Success through Service
7. Video: Reflective Essay and Discussion Board Post
8. Discussion Prompt: Professional Service Model Reflection
9. Video: Module 3 Recap

Graded: Builiding Your Professional Community Through Service Quiz

WEEK 4


Best Practices for Connecting and Reconnecting Work and Community



9 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Video: Module 4 Overview
2. Video: How to Find Your Next Steps
3. Video: Some Do's and Don'ts
4. Video: Advice From Some Experts
5. Video: Do's and Don'ts Montage
6. Video: Reflection
7. Video: Drafting Outreach Materials
8. Reading: Drafting Outreach Materials - Social Media
9. Reading: Drafting Outreach Materials – Elevator Speech
10. Reading: Drafting Outreach Materials – Emails
11. Video: Reflection on your Next Steps
12. Reading: Reflection on your Next Steps
13. Video: Module 4 Recap

Graded: Module 4 Quiz: Best Practices

WEEK 5


Putting it All Together



3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Module 5 Overview, Putting It All Together: OODA and Loop
2. Video: Action Plan
3. Video: Module 5 Recap
4. Reading: Unlocking Your Professional Potential

Graded: Personal Action Plan for Career Success