New Online Career Development Course Available for Summer 2020
The College of Science now offers a virtual, asynchronous course to build STEM career readiness. COS 300: Professional Preparation for STEM Disciplines, helps students develop essential career skills employers desire, and also prepares those interested in continuing on to graduate school.
“This is a great opportunity for any student pursuing a STEM career, especially those whose summer 2020 research or internship experiences are uncertain and seek different opportunities,” shared Kerin Hilker Balkissoon, Director of Educational and Career Pathways for the College of Science.
“Students leave the course with an extensive e-Portfolio to share with prospective employers and graduate schools, a strong resume/CV, and a robust career management plan,” Hilker-Balkissoon added.
The project-based course, open to any undergrad at Mason regardless of major, challenges students to design solutions that address critical global challenges. Participants complete in-depth research on a STEM challenge of their choice, while mastering the scientific literature review and proposal writing, and STEM communication and presentation essentials. Participants learn how to create digital scientific media including podcasts and infographics.
| “COS 300 helped me become a successful undergraduate researcher. I gained very important skills like leadership, and now I am confident about my ability to market myself professionally.” -Susan T. | |
| “As a transfer student, without taking this class there is no way that I would have navigated through the system and been able to participate in research over my first summer at Mason.” -Tom H. |
Summer 2020 COS 300 registration will be available through Patriot Web. Registration opens Wednesday, April 15. Enrollment is limited to 25 students, so register ASAP to access this unique career development opportunity. The asynchronous online course runs from June 1 through August 22. The course will also be offered in a similar format for fall 2020.
Check out a past student's podcast episode:
Interview with Thomas Hutchinson
