ePortfolio Assignments 4 and 5

We are making great progress on eportfolios. I will be reading and commenting on your 3rd assignment over the next week.

Your 4th and 5th Artifacts (i.e. assignments) are due by December 2, 8am – at the latest (with no extensions possible). Like the 3rd assignment, these are open assignments. Your goal is to produce two more artifacts that add to your overall brand by

  • showcasing your work
  • delving into a interest
  • building a case for a career change
  • etc.

The only stipulations are that they be professional, high quality and professionally relevant.

I remind you that we will be “turning-on” the aggregator (ubcmbasmakeadifference) in the next month and as such, your work will be visible to a broader audience.

If you need ideas for the 4th and 5th artifacts, I refer you to my blog post of Oct 18th – 3rd Artifact Ideas. As before, you can send me an email with and idea and request for feedback and I will be happy to reply.

Prep for Monday, Nov. 4 PD Class

As mentioned at the end of this AM’s class, one of the activities we will be doing next week is working on a specific “Invited Cover Letter.” In order to work on this, you need something to “apply” to.

Please bring to class on Monday, Nov. 4th, one of the following:

Option 1: Pick one of the 5 scenarios from mock interviewing (if there was one that resonated with you). Save it to your computer or print it out so that it is handy next class.

Option 2: Find a job posting that appeals to you – something that you could see yourself applying to. Save it to your computer or print it out so that it is handy next class.

In addition to structuring a letter, this is an exercise in “connecting the dots.” So, make sure, whether it is option 1 or option 2 that you have something that resonates with you.

Extension on 3rd ePortfolio Assignment

Hi All,

1. Per a request from your VP Academic, I am giving a further extension on the deadline for the 3rd artifact to Friday, November 1st.

2. In case you missed it, I posted on October 18th a post to the blog outlining your potential options for your 3rd artifact. To reiterate, there was no word limit. The only requirement is that you obviously create something of high quality – something that will enhance your brand and be relevant to your MBA journey and goals.

3. A reminder that there are two additional artifacts due by the end of P2 and the deadline will need to be firm to allow for getting in end of P2 grades. They are both open-ended assignments – you are free to create what you wish.

If you have an idea that you aren’t sure of, send me and email. I would be happy to help.

ePortfolio: 3rd Artifact Ideas

Here are some thoughts on how your 3rd ePortfolio artifact (and 4th & 5th artifacts) might be envisioned. If you have an idea and want to test it with me, please send me an email and I will be happy to respond.

Showcase past work / professional skills

Examples of Past Work: Projects you have led, products you have launched, plan you have created, charity/social enterprise you created…
Examples of Professional Skills: Presenting, Excel skills, quant skills, communication, leadership

  • Video of a really strong presentation you made
  • Upload of an analysis you have done / an Excel model
  • Upload of a paper you have written – where they connect with your target market
  • Post that describes your leadership, or a case history, or example
  • Strong writing example (topic is something else, but you tag it also as this kind of artifact)
  • Have you been involved in a Cause that you want to talk about…something that distinguishes you

Note 1: Do not just upload or link to your work without writing about the context. Why are you presenting it? What does the work represent? What do you want the reader to notice? What was good/bad-learning experience?

Note 2: The MBA Competencies, (pre-loaded as categories) are helpful as guideposts in terms of thinking about categories of work / learning. 

  • Business Planning/Strategy
  • Product / Services Management
  • Operational Management
  • Financial review/management
  • Investing & markets
  • Marketing analysis, planning
  • New business development
  • Entrepreneurship / Innovation
  • People development/management

Value proposition artifact

  • Exploration of interesting job function and how you fit,
  • Venn model posts – write about the intersection between your experience/knowledge/interests/skill
  • Post on a particular professional aptitude/ability that you have and how you can develop and use that ability in the market (private or public)
  • Write a C.A.R. based true story from your background that illustrates an important, marketable side about you.

What are you passionate about?

  • Have you been involved in a cause that you want to talk about? (public)

Professional Direction Artifact (direction/interest/focus) 

  1. Write about your target market (industry, job function, theme) – what are you excited about, what aspects are of interest, where do you fit in, what are your ideas (public)
  2. What am I learning from my informational interviewing / networking activities (private reflection)
  3. From my informational interviewing / research / networking activities, what am I excited about, what am I noticing in my target industry, what niche seems exciting, how do I see myself fitting (public or private)
  4. Connect the Dots: Why are you here, doing an MBA.

 

Outline of IPD Week

IPD Week Outline

We had hoped to get this out to you a bit earlier. Between buttoning down two of the sessions and a very busy couple of weeks, it is coming to you today.

Note: A separate communication to follow tomorrow with important logistics about the Tuesday schedule.

Tuesday Oct 15: Required

You will be assigned to either the morning or afternoon)

1. Two mock interviews facilitated by business volunteers.
2. You will attend a Personal Branding workshop led by Jeff Balin
3. You will attend a LinkedIn workshop led by Ian.
4. Murali will say a few words during the lunch break.

Notes:

  • Full business attire for this day
  • You will be assigned to either the morning sessions or afternoon sessions. Details to follow in a separate communication
  • Mock interviews will be scenario based and will require some preparation on your part. Details to follow in a separate communication

Wednesday Oct 16: Morning Workshops 9:00-12:30 – Required

  • Case Interview Basics led by Marja Harmer
  • Top Three Mistakes Even Savvy Professionals Make When Creating Their Personal Brand and How to Avoid Them Forever led by Katherine Lazaruk of ICU Image Consulting.

Afternoon: – Optional

Consulting Training Program Session (1:15 – 4:30)
Open to all students / mandatory for those interested in this program

  • Practice Areas and Business Problems – Broadening Your Understanding of the Consulting Industry led by Deloitte Consulting
  • Introduction to Client Skills led by Alisdair Maughan, Senior Consultant at Sierra Consulting (MBA Alumnus 2007).

Thursday Oct 17: Optional

Product Management Training Session (8:30 – 12:30)
(Open to all students / mandatory for those interested in this program)

Your Personal Brand in Action (1:15–2:30)
Christian Dy, Director & Senior Advisor, PPI Solutions (MBA Alumnus 2008)

Mock Interviews: Follow-Up & Important Message re. Participation

This past Thursday, 51 of you experienced Mock Interview “B”. As a reminder, Mock Interview “A” is part of your Intake Meeting with Mary/Rodrigo. By all accounts, mock interviewing thus far has been a great use of your time.

These learning events were designed to give you a mechanism to try-out your skills, get feedback in a no-risk environment and move forward. We experienced everything from 6 minute answers on the “tell me about yourself” question to people sharing far too much about their family problems, etc. And at the same time, great examples were given, strengths articulated, and most importantly, you had an opportunity to be in the “hot seat” and practice live. This was the purpose of this exercise – to get a baseline experience. So, great job to all of you who have participated. For those scheduled for this Thursday, you should look forward to a valuable 30 minutes.

The Mock Interview journey continues during IPD week begining Tuesday, October 15. More information to follow next week.

No-Shows & IPD Programming

I do have an important message to communicate. These activities are required elements of the program, and involve a significant amount of planning and organization. Twenty-two students ignored the sign-up deadlines. Rodrigo was able to fit in 5 at the last minute. (One of those people did not show up for their interview.) Which leaves 18 who have not scheduled their mock interview, nor communicated with us.

Going forward, it is very important that you sign-up, where required, in a timely fashion. Please respect that it is not a good use of our time to be chasing people after the deadline.

For this one time only, we are going to try and create some slots for the 18 who have not scheduled their interview. As one interview experience leads to the next, and because you will be representing Sauder during interview season, this training is important.

Thank you for your attention on this. Onwards and upwards.

Reminder: Deadline for ePortfolio Set-up & First Assignment

The eportfolio is an important part of Opening Week and your entire MBA journey.

By Sunday August 25, in preparation for Monday, Aug. 26th:

  • All students are expected to have set-up their eportfolios based on the instructions provided on Connect
  • All students are expected to have written their first artefact

On Monday afternoon, the 26th, we will be discussing professional identity and eportfolios and you will be asked to share and discuss your artefact.

As a reminder, the topic of the first assignment is: Your Story: Describe your journey before your Sauder MBA, what led you here and what do you expect out of it.

Alternatively, if you have not yet done your post, you could also focus on My Achievement: Write about a major professional achievement.

  • What was the challenge?
  • What did you do?
  • What was the outcome?

Per the original instructions, your post should be up to 500 words (350–500 is a good range).

Additionally, video and images can help bring a artefact to life.

If you have any questions, please contact your Career Coach.