RCPT 463: Professional Advancement in Tourism
Credit Hours: (3)
Instructional Method: Three hours
Note(s): L (Applied Learning) Area
This course challenges students to develop their professional experience and commitment within the tourism field. It engages students with professionals in the region through real-life tourism projects and endeavors. It places students in a professional capacity with academic mentoring to facilitate professional advancement, valuable contacts, and invaluable experience. This course facilitates students to use applied learning in the field alongside professionals thus it involves weekly lab hours.
Content
The ability to apply professional communication styles such as public speaking, phone, or written word, within the tourism sector are important skills to develop. Formulating a working relationship with a tourism professional in the region or beyond will greatly enhance students鈥� ability to secure rewarding professional placements in the field. The ability to secure career skills training or mentorship opportunities for recreation and tourism positions is essential in the class and being able to develop and articulate your own set of professional goals within the tourism field will assist students in working with their professor and professional mentor to identify a valuable course of action for their professional advancement. Students will provide professional outputs to aid professionals in their tourism goals as they pertain to each individual project. The final component of this experience is for students to critically reflect upon their professional performance, their role, and the role of their professional mentor.
Major Topics
1. Tourism needs in the community,
2. Identifying local and regional tourism providers,
3. Goals both personally and professionally
4. Vocation versus avocation in recreation
5. Developing professional contact skills
6. Written communication, phone skills, in-person meeting
7. Beginning professional advancement: taking initiative
8. Establishing professional attributes,
9. Creating a timeline of success, and visualization for success,
10. Formulating a realistic plan of action,
11. Finalizing professional agreements, professional contracts,
12. Creating professional outputs and fulfilling commitments,
13. Professional tools and techniques and professional follow-through,
14. Professional reflections, feedback critiques, and tips
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course instructional methods include but are not limited to: lectures, guest speakers, videos, hands-on learning, development of marketing outputs, collaborative learning, problem-solving, and discussion.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures may include but not limited to: quizzes/exams, projects, presentations, activities, reflections, peer evaluations, professional mentor evaluations, and feedback.
Other Course Information
Each student will develop their own unique set of Professional Goals. The student will identify an organization and contact person to carry out professional advancement activities. Students will work with their professional contact to develop professional outcomes as identified between the academic mentor, professional organization, and the student, using applied learning. Each student will develop a summary debrief which allows them to critically reflect upon the experience as a whole, and describes the challenges, successes, tips for success, lessons learned, and principles for success moving forward. Students will present their Professional Outcomes and Summary Debrief in front of their peers. It is intended that this will provide a valuable experience for the student as well as the peers in the course.
Reviewed and approved
June, 2023