THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

Executive MBA Program

“CAREER MANAGEMENT’
Class of 2007

SYLLABUS, COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS

COURSE DESCRIPTION: One-credit hour course that will help students manage
their own careers in a changing world and work environment and enhance
professionalism. The class will utilize lectures, case studies, outside speakers and
related articles.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: (what the student who successfully and satisfactorily

completes the course should know or be able to do):

1. Understand the importance of taking responsibility for one’s career and life
and being proactive in managing one’s career;
2. Use assessment tools to identify values, competencies and motivators to
identify the right fit and career direction;
3. Create a Career Development Action Plan
4. Learn practical techniques to increase career effectiveness.

MEANS OF ASSESSMENT (how the student’s achievement of the academic

outcomes will be evaluated):

Class Attendance: 25%

• If one class is missed for any reason, the highest possible grade will be
a “B”.
• If two classes are missed for any reason, the highest possible grade
will be a “C”.

Class Participation: 25%

The teacher will randomly call on students to discuss assigned reading.

Students will practice their introductions with each other in class.

Written Assignments and Outside Work to include: 50%

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 CLASS OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS

December 2, 2006 - Class 1: IT’S UP TO YOU!

Objective: the importance of proactively managing your career

o Graham (UNC-Chapel Hill) case discussion

o Journal articles discussion
o Career Anchors discussion

Assignments due prior to 5pm on Tuesday, November 28, 2006:

o Complete Career Anchors Self-Assessment—post your scores

from page 5 to Blackboard
o Read through page 26 of Career Anchors Participant Workbook
o Read the Graham case and come to class prepared to discuss
o Select one of the following articles to read and come to class
prepared to discuss:
ƒ “What Should I Do With My Life? The real meaning of
success and how to find it” by Po
Bransonhttp://pf.fastcompany.com/magazine/66/mylife.html
Fast Company, 4/21/03
ƒ “How to Play to Your Strengths”, HBR
ƒ “How To Get Stuck in the Wrong Career”, HBR
ƒ “Reawakening Your Passion for Work”, HBR
ƒ “Executive Women and the Myth of Having It All”, HBR

December 16, 2006 Class 2 – PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Objective: An understanding of the importance of the right fit in a career and how
to be more effective in one’s job.

Assignments due by 5pm on December 12, 2006:

• Complete Career Anchors Interview (starting on page 28 of your

Participant’s Workbook and read through page 36). Post your answers
to questions on pages 32-33. Limit answers to a single page. Post your
answers to Blackboard.
• Read Chapter 5 from The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers
• Select one of the following articles and come to class prepared to discuss:

o “The Subordinate’s Predicaments, HBR

o “Pull the Plug on Stress”, HBR
o “Reclaim Your Job”, HBR
o “What Makes an Effective Executive”, HBR

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Class 3 – ADVANCING YOUR CAREER

Objectives: Identifying how well your current job and future job are matched to
your values, competencies and motives and uncovering techniques to be more
effective in advancing your career.

Assignments due by the Tuesday before Class 3:

• Read Anderson case

• Read the remainder of the Participant’s Workbook
• Create Career Development Plan that includes the following:
o Identify how well your career anchor is matched to your current
job (page 43 of Participant’s Workbook) and map against possible
future job/role requirements.
o Create Action Plan and Next Steps you will take (p.59)

• Select one of the following articles and come to class prepared to discuss:
• “Managing Your Boss”, HBR
• “The Necessary Art of Persuasion”, HBR
• “How to Pitch a Brilliant Idea”, HBR
• “The Best Advice I Ever Got”, HBR
• “Do Women Lack Ambition?”, HBR
• “Leadership Run Amok”, HBR

Class 4 – PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!

Objective: An understanding of the importance of networking and self promotion

in career development and advancement.

Assignments due by the Tuesday before Class 4:

• Read:
o “The Brand Called You” by Tom Peters,
http://www.fastcompany.com/onlin/10/brandyou.html (This article
will help you with your introductions.)

o “The New Science of Happiness” by Claudia Wallis TIME, 1/17/05

• Write Introductions: 10-Second Unexpected Introduction and 30-Second

Introduction—suggested formats will be posted to Blackboard. Post your
draft introductions to Blackboard. We will practice introductions in
Class 4.

FINAL EXAM due within one week after the final class: Submit one-page essay on
what you have learned from this course and what you will do with what you
learned.

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