Melissa Ortiz's Online Porfolio
FP Informatica Final Project
After the completion of ESO, the students have the option to continue their studies with FP “Formacion Professional” in which there are two levels of degrees, “Gradio Medio” or Intermediate, and “Grado Superior” or Superior. FP is similar to vocational training or trade schooling in the U.S., where one can acquire certain skills and train to enter the workforce earlier. In the IES Rosa Chacel Institution, 3 fields are offered: Computer Systems, Nursing, and Physical Education.
FP Informatica Internships (Desarrollo de Aplicaciones Web y Desarrollo de Apl.)
For the final project, I have chosen “Informatica,” or Computer Systems classes because the students will have to do “Practicas” or internships in March. This means that they will no longer attend classes for they will be interning for the companies they applied or are applying to from December till February.
Throughout the first semester, Laura and I have taught them from Burlington Professional Models Computing and Information Technology written by Oliver Taylor. This book is about mainly about the importance and maintenance of computers, software, and computer accessories, and the various types of Customer-Customer Service relationships.
However, one thing that I felt the class needed was professional skills to use for the real, working world. The students are learning trades that deal with computer systems but without the proper professional business knowledge, it could be quite difficult to get hired in the workplace.
Professionalism
Setting Them Up for Success
I find it extremely important to prepare these students for their internships because during my time in college, I had a professor who couldn’t stress enough the importance of professionalism in the workplace, starting with the very basics.
How to write a professional email
How to create a CV/Resume
How to leave a good impression during an interview
During December and January, I have helped the students create their English CV (most all only have a Spanish CV), prepared them for interviews, and fine-tuned their email writing skills in order for them to have a higher chance at getting the internships.
How to Create a CV/Resume
Since the class entails that they will be doing "practicas," or internships during the last third of the school year, they have already prepared their own Spanish CVs. However, as an auxiliar I wanted them to have their own English CV version just in case the companies they are applying to are foreign and would prefer an applicant with an English CV not just a Spanish one. This CV is something they can refer back to and update, as well as use in the future.
For the English CV, I gave the students an outlined template of the CV I use to this day. They are able to input their own information, and under each section I wrote clear bullet points of what or what not to include. It contains 6 sections:
Career Objective, Summary of Qualifications, Education, Experience, Activities and Honors, and Additional Skills.
I made sure to be as thorough as possible when I showed it on the board. I explained the importance of having a clear objective, as well as doing your research on the company to find out what qualifications to highlight. For the relevant coursework section, I told the class to add classes that best fit with the company. As for experience, I bulleted important tips such as using present or past tense depending if they were still working there or not.
How to leave a Good Impression during an Interview
With this section of the workshop, I created a PowerPoint that entailed two important parts of an interview:
Before the Interview
During/After the Interview
Before the Interview
Look the Part- How to dress business professional for both men and women
Research- The importance of researching the company to better answer potential interview questions
Network- Take advantage of websites like Linkedin to network with current employees and further look into the company
During/After the Interview
Body Language- How to use body language to correspond to what is being said
Speaking- How to get your point across clearly without hesitation
Ending the Interview- The importance of a Thank You email and to not give up
At the end of the presentation, I had mock interviews with the students. I was able to work on their weaknesses and fine tune their strengths. By the end of week, the students felt confident and were ready to tackle the interviews.
View the PowerPoint:
How to Write a Professional Email
For the final section of the professionalism workshop, I had the students read through a couple of generic business emails to get a sense of how the structure and overall tone should be. I then had them point out similarities they noticed in each email.
There are 5 parts to a professional business email:
Subject Line
Greeting
Body Paragraph
Closing Paragraph
Signature
Subject Line:
Short summation of the message, must catch eye of recipient, straight to the point in a few words
Greeting:
Hi/Hello/Dear + who the message is for, use correct title
Body Paragraph:
Thank the audience for their time in the beginning followed by message, break up into paragraphs if needed
Closing Paragraph:
Wrap up message, include any questions, reiterate important notes from body paragraph
Signature:
Includes name, title, company name, digital signature, even a quote
The structure of the email is crucial, however, it is important to add other elements as well: know the message, know the audience, proofread email, be considerate, use proper etiquette and formatting, and remember to follow-up.