CRITICAL THINKING

Course Description: This course aims to help graduates and job seekers develop their critical thinking skills and apply them to various aspects of career development, such as self-assessment, job search, resume writing, interviewing, networking, and negotiation. The course will also expose students to different perspectives and frameworks for understanding the changing nature of work and the labor market in the 21st century. The course will use a combination of lectures, discussions, exercises, case studies, and guest speakers to enhance students’ learning and engagement.

Course Objectives: By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and demonstrate critical thinking skills, such as analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and problem-solving.
• Apply critical thinking skills to various career development tasks and challenges, such as identifying their strengths, interests, values, and goals; researching and evaluating potential employers and opportunities; crafting effective resumes and cover letters; preparing and performing well in interviews; building and maintaining professional relationships; and negotiating and accepting job offers.
• Reflect on their own career development process and outcomes, and identify areas for improvement and further learning.
• Recognize and appreciate the diversity and complexity of work and career in the contemporary world, and adapt to the changing needs and expectations of employers and the labor market.

Course Modules and Lessons:

Module 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking and Career Development

• Lesson 1: What is critical thinking and why is it important for career development?
• Lesson 2: How to develop and practice critical thinking skills?
• Lesson 3: What is career development and what are its stages and components?
• Lesson 4: How to use critical thinking skills in career development?

Module 2: Self-Assessment and Career Exploration

• Lesson 1: How to assess your own strengths, interests, values, and goals?
• Lesson 2: How to explore and research different career options and paths?
• Lesson 3: How to evaluate and compare different career options and paths?
• Lesson 4: How to make informed and realistic career decisions?

Module 3: Job Search and Application

• Lesson 1: How to plan and conduct an effective job search?
• Lesson 2: How to write a resume and a cover letter that showcase your skills and achievements?
• Lesson 3: How to use online platforms and social media for job search and application?
• Lesson 4: How to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes in job search and application?

Module 4: Interviewing and Networking

• Lesson 1: How to prepare for and ace different types of interviews?
• Lesson 2: How to use critical thinking skills in answering interview questions?
• Lesson 3: How to build and maintain professional relationships and networks?
• Lesson 4: How to use networking strategies and tools for career development?

Module 5: Negotiation and Transition

• Lesson 1: How to negotiate and accept a job offer?
• Lesson 2: How to use critical thinking skills in negotiation and decision-making?
• Lesson 3: How to transition to a new job and a new work environment?
• Lesson 4: How to manage your career and continue your professional development?

Course Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will have:

• Improved their critical thinking skills and applied them to various career development tasks and challenges.
• Completed a self-assessment and career exploration exercise and identified their career goals and preferences.
• Conducted a job search and application process and created a resume and a cover letter that highlight their skills and achievements.
• Prepared for and participated in different types of interviews and demonstrated their critical thinking skills in answering interview questions.
• Built and maintained professional relationships and networks and used networking strategies and tools for career development.
• Negotiated and accepted a job offer and transitioned to a new job and a new work environment.
• Reflected on their career development process and outcomes and identified areas for improvement and further learning.