1Specialized Job Search Courses Fill a Vital Niche for

University ELLsKIMBERLEY BRIESCH SUMNER

ERIC H. ROTH

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AMERICAN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE

TESOL 2015, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

2BackgroundAmerican Language Institute (ALI)

International student population with unmet career needs

Curriculum throughout department divided into oral skills and writing courses

Culture of academic and professional training for matriculated students

32 Moms, 2 Daughters, and a Child Care Center

Forged a cross-campus relationship bringing students’ needs to the forefront

Career Center Struggles: Number of international studentsAdvisors uncomfortable giving linguistic

and cultural advice to students who need a lot of help.

Students referred to campus Writing Center

4Students’ Unmet Needs:Inter-Departmental Discussions

Career Center representatives spoke at ALI faculty meetings to describe issues:

International students are underserved by current university career services.

Students often lack awareness of available resources. Unrealistic job search expectations (I want an

internship by the end of the semester!)

5Services Available to Students Outside of ALI

Career Center (Primarily undergraduate) Viterbi Career Services (Engineering) Office of International Students (OIS) Various Departments Across Campus

Annenberg School of Communications Price School of Public Policy and Development Marshall School of Business

6A Course is Created Integrate all language skills Provide language support in every aspect of the job

search Provide a window into American job-search/work culture Develop and deepen specific language skills for obtaining

professional positions Create task-based activities and assignments Practice vital communication skills in a supportive and

safe environment Increase self awareness

7What Color Is Your Parachute? First published in 1970

New edition each year; always adapts job search strategies for the current job market.

Includes:“Traditional” vs. “New” job search strategies and

employer perspectives.Strong focus on using social media and

networking.Practical advice on constructing a resume,

conducting informational interviews, and determining your “dream job.”

8100 Conversations forCareer Success

Offers concrete strategies to put the job seeker in touch with potential employers

Situations and scripts are provided. Emphasizes social and online

networking. Strongly encourages creating lasting

relationships by adding value to networking exchanges and following up.

9 Sample Course Activities Biographical Statement Elevator Pitch Cover letter Resume: Traditional vs. Online Personal Marketing Plan Networking Practice Using Job Posts to Personalize Applications Mock Job Interview: Phone screens, face-to-

face, and online interviews Informational Interviews

10The Elevator Pitch

A short, interesting self-description Goal: Compel the other person to

ask more questions Requires practice and adaptability

(20 seconds – 2 minutes) Great for networking events and

career fairs

11Biostatements

Widely deployed in social media

Who are you?

Third person perspective

100-200 words

Photo + biostatement

See professor’s profiles

Use biostatment checklist

Peer review

First student-professor conference

Week two

Eric H. Roth teaches international graduate students the pleasures of academic writing and public speaking in English at the University of Southern California. He has taught numerous English and writing courses at Santa Monica Community College, UCLA Extension, and Cal State, Long Beach’s American Language Institute, and Santa Monica-Malibu Adult Education Center. Roth, a former journalist and Congressional aide, also directed the CES Adult Education Center from 1996-1999, assisting over 1,000 immigrants and refugees in becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. He attended Wabash College on a Lilly Scholarship that covered all expenses, majored in Philosophy, and received his BA in 1984. Roth later received his MA in Media Studies in 1988 from The New School (for Social Research) in New York City. He has taught writing courses in Spain, France, and Vietnam.

12Creating a Network

ANYONE a student meets has potential!

Actively establish a relationship online or face-to-face.

All skills needed: Small talk, longer conversations, e-mails, cultural conventions, collocations, etc.

Follow-up with contacts is essential!

13Informational Interviews Best practice among white collar professionals

Interviewing working professionals

Worker to worker communication

Students create a professional network

Practical skill with an authentic context

Multiple professional communication tasks

Contact (often via SCconnect)

Interview – 20 minutes

Thank you

Trip report

Capstone project

14References and Resources What Color is Your Parachute? (2014 Ed.). Richard N.

Bolles. 100 Conversations for Career Success. (2012). Laura M.

Labovich & Miriam Salpeter. USC Career Center and Career Network Viterbi Career Center www.LinkedIn.com www.glassdoor.com www.careerbeam.com

15Acknowledgments

ALI 280 Students USC Career Center USC Global Initiatives Jim Valentine, ALI Director Danny Hackin

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Image Sources www.amazon.com www.boston.com http://confidentialinv.com/employee-

background-checks-insurance-lehigh-valley

http://ingensystems.com/ProductsServices/Services/Training.aspx

www.lifehacker.com

Missioncollege.org http://www.news-sap.com/how-to-

network-like-a-pro/ http://

planforcollegea2z.blogspot.com/2012/12/when-does-college-transfer-make-sense.html

https://twitter.com/usccareercenter

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Thanks for Listening!Questions? Comments?

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Contact us to share your thoughts!

KIMBERLEY BRIESCH SUMNER

KBRIESUM@USC.EDU

ERIC H. ROTH

ERICROTH@USC.EDU