Welcome to
College of the Desert’s
» Michelle Richards
Coordinator/Instructor
» Sandi Lydeen
Administrative Assistant
» John Jaramillo
Dean, Applied Sciences & Business
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760-862-1344
Business Building, Room 1K
[email protected]
www.collegeofthedesert.edu
(click: “Academic Programs,” then “Work Experience”)
» Best time to reach us is Mon-Fri, 8-1 (Michelle works 8-5 but is often at
job sites so appointments are strongly encouraged)
» When the office is closed you may slide things under our door (doors to
our hallway corridor are open Mon-Thurs: 7am-10pm, Fri: 7am-5pm)
» Office is closed during breaks (summer, winter, spring, holidays)
» For credit, there will be a required survey at the end…
» You're about to start a unique journey in a nontraditional class. Instead of regular lectures you will
work on learning objectives independently as well as
other specific requirements that will be explained in
this Introduction and in your syllabus
» Keep your syllabus & packet handy throughout this
Introduction and throughout the semester
» You will be responsible for completing all assignments
and arranging all appointments so put everything on
one calendar and refer to it regularly
» The purpose of Work Experience is to enable
students to integrate their classroom learning with
the real world of work…
» Earn transferrable college units
» Gain hands-on experience
» Discover interests and abilities
» Become more marketable
» Become a better employee
» Create a more powerful resume
» Increase chances for promotion, raises &
positive references for future opportunities
» You may find jobs, internships and resume
templates at: www.collegecentral.com/cod
» In order to take Occupational Work Experience
(For example: AUTO, BUMA, AGEH)
*Your declared COD major MUST align with your job field
You may take 1-8 units/semester (permission is needed for 5+)
» All other students take General Work Experience (WEG)
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You may take 1- 6 units/semester (permission needed for 4+)
16 units is the maximum allowed in Occupational &/or General combined
New state guidelines require students to get an “override” petition from
Financial Aid before registering for a third Occupational (AGEH, NR)
course with the same number of units. Only one general (WEG) course
may be taken with the same number of units.
Students may only take one Work Experience class/semester
Units count as general electives &/or in some academic programs as a
requirement &/or an elective (i.e. AUTO, AGEH, ACR, NR, CM)
Up to 16 units transfer to the CSU system (number varies between
schools/dept.), some private schools accept them, the UC’s do not, Cal
Poly Pomona accepts the hours so save a copy of your timesheets
» Application & Directions/Availability are both due the first day (see
syllabus) of the semester (may be completed online or in via paper). Pick
up your full packet in the Work Experience Office (B-1K)
» If there is a faculty member in your field who is associated
with the WE Office we may assign you to that Instructor
(for example: an AGEH student with an AGEH instructor)
» Most will be assigned to Michelle (especially students in
WEG or outside of the immediate valley)
» You will turn everything in to your WE Instructor (after the
application & orientation). However, we will always forward
anything to your instructor that we receive in our office
» Start keeping track of your hours on the first day of the
session (16 week, 12 week or 8 week for summer session)
» You must meet the minimum number of hours in order to
receive a passing grade:
75 hours/unit if in a paid position or
60 hours/unit if unpaid
» Hours are to be tracked on a monthly basis
(start a new timesheet each month)
» Your last timesheet is due before the end of the semester so
project your hours until the last day of finals week
» Make sure you double check your addition
» Turn in timesheets to your WE Instructor or WE Office by
deadline (usually around the 7th of every month, see syllabus
for exact dates, summer timesheets are due toward the end
of the 8 weeks).
• Each number
in the grid
corresponds
with the day
of that month
• Explain how
you are
progressing
at the bottom
• Employer and
student
signatures
are required
» Grades are issued as letter grades
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(90, 80, 70% just like most other college classes)
Total Points possible = 415
A 415-373 pts (90%)
B 372-332 pts (80%)
C 331-290 pts (70%)
D 289-249 pts (60%)
F 248 pts & below (50%)
» You must account for the minimum number of paid/unpaid hours as
required by the course you signed up for to receive a passing grade
» A minimum of 2 points/day are subtracted for late assignments
(number of points varies between requirements)
» Students are responsible for completing all assignments and
arranging/attending all meetings
» Schedule immediately (20 min, on campus
with you and your assigned WE Instructor)
» You will need to come up with 3 measurable
learning objectives to:
Become a better employee
Create a more marketable resume
Learn new skills or cross-train in something
Work on a new project
Elevate your current level
Increase your chances for a raise/ promotion?
Improve from what your last evaluation said
Supervisor’s suggestions for you do/learn
» This is the biggest part of the class so make it
be something you really want to do & will
enhance your current level, skills, abilities &
knowledge
» *Students taking the class a second time
while in same job need new &/or expanded
learning objectives
» Schedule immediately
(At your job site with you, your supervisor
& your WE Instructor). Takes 20 minutes
» Sign an Agreement of your learning
objectives
» Discuss objectives & appointment with
your supervisor ahead of time
» Give your supervisor the memo on COD
letterhead ahead of time
» Due mid-semester: A form of checking in with your
WE Instructor on campus (takes about 20 min)
» At the meeting you will discuss:
Your progress on your learning objectives
How much time you need before completing them
How many hours you need
Troubleshoot if needed
Reminder of deadlines
» Due toward end of semester: arrange it with your
supervisor, WE Instructor, & you (takes about 20 minutes)
» Be ready to be graded on your 3 learning objectives
» Provide hard copies of your learning objectives to your
supervisor ahead of time (if applicable)
» Schedule as early as possible
» Objective Points: Excelled=25, Accomplished=20, Made
Some Progress=15, No Significant Progress=0
Employer and student grade on the same scale for each obj.
» You will also be graded on
10 basic job skill categories:
Scans Competency &
Foundation Skills >
Your supervisor will grade you on the following skills:
(Point Scale: Excellent=4, Good=3, Satisfactory=2, Non-Passing=0):
» Understands how to allocate time, money, materials, space and staff
» Works well on teams, teaches others, serves customers and works well
with people of diverse cultural backgrounds
» Ability to acquire & evaluate data, interpret & communicate, organize &
maintain files
» Ability to monitor & correct performance, & create or improve systems
» Understands use of equipment & tools, can apply technology
» Basic writing, reading, mathematics, speaking and listening skills
» Ability to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, & solve problems
» Individual responsibility, self-esteem, self-management, sociability, &
integrity
» Punctuality, attendance
» Appearance & attitude
» Due Mid-Semester
» Choose ONE (*See syllabus for details & actual options):
1. True Colors Personality Assessment Workshop
*Reserve your seat with the WE Office, option not offered summer session
2. Soft Skills Assessment & Improvement Plan
*Typed 1-2 page summary and plan
3. Resume (Professional, Up-To-Date, & Ready to use)
*COD Career Center offers workshops
*Template available at www.collegecentral.com/cod
» Due toward end of semester
» Restate your learning objectives and describe how
you progressed, what you accomplished, how you
grew, whether they were good objectives, etc.
» State if this class was of benefit and why
» Put everything together and summarize your
accomplishments
» Typed, 1-2 pages, 1” margins, double spaced, 12
point font
Assignment
Possible
Points
Class Introduction (this is what you are currently completing)
25
1st Counseling Session
25
1st Job Site Visit
n/a
Midterm Counseling Session
25
Personal Development Assignment (choose one of the options)
75
Final Job Site Visit:
-Student Rating of Objectives
-Employer Rating of Objectives
-Employer Rating of Foundation Skills
75
75
40
Reflection Paper
75
Total
415
*Min. number of hours are also required on signed timesheets
*Details for each are also explained in the syllabus
» Notify your WE Instructor if your job status/location or
personal information changes
» Instructor may not drop students so be sure to drop if
that is your intention
» Talk to Michelle if you need an approved DSPS
accommodation
» Announcements go to your mycod.us email account.
Check it regularly or have if forwarded to another email
» Refer to your syllabus often throughout the semester
» Registration changes must be done according to COD’s
Add/Drop deadlines
» To earn credit for this Orientation email Michelle at:
[email protected]
» Answer the following questions in the email:
1. What is your name & student ID?
2. Where is the Work Experience Office?
3. When is your 1st Counseling Session due (see syllabus)?
4. Do you understand that you are required to complete,
arrange, & attend all assignments & meetings listed in
your syllabus?
»Get ready for a great semester!