INTR-D 120

The class site for the Fall CSM Freshman Transition Seminar

April 8, 2020
by Amanda R Potasznik
0 comments

Writing assignment post/prep

Hi everyone,

After reading the discussion post replies from yesterday, I’m concerned that there is a major disconnect between my expectations (both for that post and the entire paper) and your understanding.

The instructions for the post asked for an outline of your paper, and the term that you will be applying. Since the paper instructions clearly indicate that you must present multiple viewpoints, I would expect an outline to look something like this:

My outline for topic: XYZ

Intro: Background information on XYZ, why it’s in the news now as opposed to before, etc. Thesis statement: the state government should draft and pass an emergency law to quickly regulate XYZ funding, and funding should prioritize marginalized populations (this is MY argument for the paper, yours will certainly be quite different). Citations as necessary.

Paragraph 1: My interpretation of how group A feels about  XYZ. Group A’s viewpoints’ strengths. Group A’s viewpoints’ weaknesses. If my term applies here, I define it and connect the definition to the context.

Paragraph 2: My interpretation of how group B feels about  XYZ. Group B’s viewpoints’ strengths. Group B’s viewpoints’ weaknesses. If my term applies here, I define it and connect the definition to the context.

Paragraph 3: Weighing/analysis. Why we should prioritize group B’s input over group A’s (or vice versa). Clearly connecting my thesis to the logical arguments I have put forth up to this point.

Conclusion: Wrap up, summarize, emphasize thesis, etc.

Note that you may have more than two groups to consider (a, b, c, d…)

 

As your instructor, I’m scared because…

…no one in the class provided such a response. Links to an article are not an outline (they should have been included in your post, but accompanied by an actual outline), your general thoughts on an issue are not an outline. Many of you did not include a term in your answer. I’m worried that if the outlines are so rough, the papers themselves will be very ill-prepared.

You will have the same prompt for the April 14 discussion thread; please prepare appropriately.

March 18, 2020
by Amanda R Potasznik
0 comments

Online class instructions

Hi everyone,

Your grade for Tuesday, March 24 will be calculated by your participation on our first online forum. Please go to Blackboard > Course Materials to find it.

You must not only post your own answers, but also respond to the answers your peers post. Still, you are only expected to be active for 50 minutes (anytime between 8am and 8pm on the class day, March 24).

188

December 3, 2019
by Amanda R Potasznik
0 comments

End of year celebration

CANCELED

We invite you to join us at the FSC End of Semester Celebration! This is an event for students to build community, de-stress, and discuss strategies to prepare for final exams. There will be a student speaker and two community building activities. Details for this FSC tradition can be found below.

Wednesday, December 11th, 5-7pm

Campus Center Ballrooms A&B

Please RSVP by December 9th: https://forms.gle/eztGiBUxmWidhSWY9

We hope to see you there!

The SSC Team

October 8, 2019
by Amanda R Potasznik
0 comments

Midterm Warning Grades Posted

In accordance with a UMB request, I have submitted midterm warning grades in Wiser. For your information, here is how I calculated each category:

Satisfactory (SAT): you currently have an average of 80 or above in class.

Caution (CAU): you currently have an average between 70 and 79.9 in class.

Failing (FAI): you currently have an average below 70.0 in class.

At this point, there is plenty of time to turn a grade around.

September 26, 2019
by Amanda R Potasznik
0 comments

Career workshops: attend one or all!

Are you Career Ready? Make Money with your major (First Gen conversations)

Oct. 1st, 2019. 12pm-1pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/335247

This workshop will help students of diverse identities and life experiences especially first gen college students identify potential career paths related to their majors. Starting with job titles and industry knowledge, participants will learn how to navigate their areas of specialty/major. This will help students leverage their backgrounds and cultural knowledge when competing in the job market after graduation. The workshop will cover strategies for success in those fields as well as career trajectory, pay scale, future earnings, and means for growth leading to increased diversity and equity across industries.

 

Are you Career Ready? Career Readiness for the Job Market

Oct. 3rd, 2019. 11am-12pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/332404

Do you know the top skills that employers are seeking in recent grads and interns? Do you want to become a more competitive candidate in the job market? If so, you should attend this informative workshop where you will learn the top eight competencies that students should possess upon graduation. These are the skills that employers are looking for as identified in a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. In this workshop you will learn how to identify the competencies you currently possess, how to develop the competencies you don’t have and how to convey these to employers.

 

Are you Career Ready? Finding a mentor/sponsor across and within identities

Oct. 7th, 2019. 2pm-3pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/349776

This workshop is designed to help students understand the value and relevance of having a mentor in their career path. Students will also learn characteristics of a good mentor as well as how to be good mentees. They will be able to identify factors relevant for consideration in choosing a mentor and strategies for dealing with barriers in finding a good mentor. In addition students will also learn the difference between a mentor and sponsor.

 

 

Are you Career Ready? Pointers for career success/unwritten rules of the workplace

Oct. 9th, 2019-12pm-1pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/335252

Unwritten Rules in the workplace workshop-What are some uncommon workplace rules that are not written in the companys’ manual that can help you succeed. E.g. it is not compulsory to go to social events organized by the company but socializing at these events can help you build a strong bond with colleagues. How about getting to know your colleagues, students will learn how to deal with common challenges and how to survive office cultures.

 

Are you Career Ready? Confident Job Search/Networking: Overcoming the imposter syndrome

Oct. 15th, 2019 12:30pm-1:30pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/335271/edit

Do you have a plan for a job search? Go to college, apply for a job and get your dream job. “If you want to go fast you go alone. If you want to go far go together.” Come learn strategies that combines making a plan in college such as networking and experiential learning to achieve success. What happens when you are prepared but you don’t have the confidence to apply to your dream job, or your dream role? What happens when you have to face the challenges of applying for the same position as people who have more lived experience or different backgrounds from you. Students will learn the effect of imposter syndrome and how to challenge themselves.

 

Are you Career Ready? International Students

October 16th, 2019. 11am-12pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/332415

Do you want to do an internship or work in the United States after graduation? If so, this workshop is for you. As an international student, you face specific career challenges in trying to secure employment in the United States. In this workshop you will learn effective job search techniques and strategies based on the book and website Power Ties by Dan Beaudry. Dan is a proven expert in the area of providing career advice for international students. In this workshop you will also get advice about resumes, cover letters, networking and interviewing specifically geared to international students. You will also learn about the CPT and OPT rules regarding employment in the US.

 

Are you Career Ready? Confident communication-LGBQT and allies

October 23rd, 2019.12pm-1pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/362716

How do you advocate for yourself as a member of the LGBTQ community? Are you an ally seeking strategies to create a safe working community for students and colleagues? Join us to discuss strategic ways to communicate with one another and articulate your strengths.

 

Are you Career Ready? Ladders to Success-Alumni Panel

Oct.24th,2019. 5:30pm-7:30pm

Registration: https://umb.joinhandshake.com/events/335277

Ladders to success panel will feature alums from different majors and academic levels who graduated from UMass Boston. Graduates will highlight the strategies they have used in dealing with issues of race relations, gender identity, disability, family expectations, career exploration bias etc. in the workplace.

August 7, 2019
by Amanda R Potasznik
0 comments

Welcome!

INTR-D meets every Monday morning from 11:00-11:50am in University Hall, 1-1320.

Please review the links on the right side of the page (or at the bottom of the page if you are on mobile) to familiarize yourself with class expectations and helpful information.

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