Section: 03 Instructor: Michael Schneider

Business Forum Fall 2020 2 credit course E-mail: mbschnei@business.rutgers.edu

Virtual synchronous lecture Office Hours by Appointment only
Presenter schedule posted separately
Course Assistants email- bf3ca3@business.rutgers.edu
REAL: Matt Pyrek- mpeyrek@business.rutgers.edu
RBS Office of Career Management (OCM) RBScareers@business.rutgers.edu

Course Description
This course will introduce students to Rutgers Business School (RBS) and provides instruction related to RBS
academic programs, student advising, career management, skill development, and professional development.
The course is organized and led by the RBS Office of Career Management (OCM) with certain components being
delivered by company representatives, campus recruiters, RBS Professors, Staff, Alumni, Course Assistants and
current students.
The course has three main components:
• Academic Advising: Majors and related topics, academic success factors, ethics and integrity.
• Career readiness: Career paths, resume, interviewing skills, LinkedIn, networking.
• Skills Development: Financial literacy, Business & interpersonal communication, presentation and technical
skills.
Classes are designed to help you understand the courses of study at RBS and resources available to support your
academic journey, prepare you for your job/internship search, and provide guidance on key personal
development skills. This course will introduce students to the job search process and the resources provided by
RBS Career Management. It is focused on preparing students to become competitive candidates for an
internship and/or full-time job. The goal is for students to attain and demonstrate requisite competencies that
will prepare them for a successful transition into the workplace.
Course Materials
Text: Lecture and workshop materials will be provided throughout the course.
Systems: RBS Career Management and academic advising systems such as BusinessKnight, Handshake, VMOCK,
REAL and other systems as identified.

Learning Goals and Objectives

This course is designed to help students develop skills and knowledge in the following area(s):
• Knowledge: Students will learn about the components of RBS courses of study and related engagement
opportunities, the components of career management that lead to a successful job search, and the
guidelines for effective engagement.
• Skills: Students will develop skills in personal finance, business communications, resume writing, personal
brand development, and effective interviewing.

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• Networking: Students will learn the importance of developing a personal network and be provided
opportunities to connect with alumni and prospective employers.
Students develop competencies through the following course activities and assignments:
• Workshops: These include lectures and interactive group exercises designed to ensure comprehension.
• Individual Counseling: These sessions explore career goals, develop a personal brand, and enhance career
management knowledge and skills.
• Assignments: These include activities designed to reinforce concepts and practice newly acquired skills
learned in class.
• Webinars: These supplement and compliment workshop and assignment material.
ATTENDANCE AND PREPARATION POLICY
Students are required to attend all classes, workshops, and mock interviews. Attendance will be taken every
class. Be prompt and remain for the entirety of each session. If you are absent, send an email with the reason
for absence to the Course Assistants’ email.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
• Ground Rules: Showing respect for students, presenters, instructors, CA’s: elements of professionalism.
Make sure your microphone is muted, and if you feel comfortable, please turn your video on. You are
expected to log in on time and stay for the entirety of class.
• Recording Lectures: All classes will be recorded and posted on Canvas within 48 hours. Missing a live class
and watching the recording does not excuse your attendance. All unauthorized recordings of class
lectures/discussions are prohibited. Recordings to accommodate the needs of individual students must be
approved in advance, for personal use during the semester only. Redistribution of approved recordings is
prohibited.
• Questions: Questions and student interaction is encouraged by using the chat and gestures on Zoom. Even
though we cannot interact in-person, we would love to hear your questions and thoughts about the topics
covered in class. Your engagement and participation are key for the success of this class.
• The chat is only to be used for questions, answers, and information related to class.
• Once your official assignment grade is published on Canvas, you will have up to 5 days to contact the class
CA’s regarding questions.

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 COURSE GRADING

Final Grades are made up from the following distribution: REAL Point Conversion
300+ 5
Grades Grading Element Grade Points % of 250-299 4
Code Grade 200-249 3
Skills: 35% Business Communication Homework BC 20 20% 150-199 2
<150 0
Financial Literacy Homework FL 10 10%
R.E.A.L. RL 5 5%
Academic Ethics Assignment EA 5 5%
Advising: 15% Advising Assignment AA 5 5%
Academic Integrity AI 5 5%
Career Readiness: Resume & Cover Letter RC 10 10%
50% LinkedIn Profile LP 5 5%
Attendance AT 10 10%
Recorded Video Mock Interview VM 10 10%
Live Video Mock Interview Required* MI 15 15%
*Threshold *Mock Interview: 0 or 1 Multiplier MIT -------- --------

Total 100 100%

Grade calculation (MIT)*(BC+FL+RL+EA+AA+AI+ RC+LP+AT+VM+MI)
*If you fail the Mock Interview, you fail the class. MS: add Or don’t conduct
SEMESTER COURSE SUB-MODULES
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: 35% OF FINAL GRADE
Business Communications - These four sessions and assignments are designed to equip you with helpful and
increasingly important business communications skills. The Assignments will be presented and reviewed by
Professor Eason and posted on Canvas after each class.
Financial literacy is a crucial part of your future success. In this module you will learn fundamental financial
literacy skills and be assessed on your knowledge of:
• Budgeting
• Loan payments and credit (managing a credit score and credit temptation)
• Investing, and saving (i.e. 401Ks; both traditional and Roth)
• Company benefits other than retirement planning (i.e. FSAs, insurance)
• Taxes
REAL: A data analytics & student engagement tracking program based on the Suitable platform. The platform
will enable RBS to structure and measure your success outside of the classroom, while integrating curricular
activities into a holistic student experience. The activities on the platform will be designed to develop important
professional competencies, provide networking opportunities that will help you become a more qualified, well-
rounded candidate upon graduation.
300 points in the REAL program will result in the maximum 5 points towards your final grade. You should
complete the appropriate number of tasks to earn at least 300 REAL points. The number of points varies
depending on the task, however, there will be more than enough opportunities for you to meet the number of
points required for full credit. You are encouraged to take full advantage of the program by connecting with
employers, developing your professional skills, and attending as many events as possible. Note: REAL points
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need to be completed in the current semester. See chart above. For questions about the REAL program,
contact Matthew Peyrek directly: mpeyrek@business.rutgers.edu 848.445.9227; Please do not contact the
CA’s with questions regarding REAL.
ACADEMIC ADVISING: 15% OF FINAL GRADE
Academic advising and using supplemental student resources in your academic career are crucial for your future
success and academic performance. Rutgers support resources will be presented in class to assist you in navigating
your academic journey.
Business Ethics are a critical part of working in a professional environment. This is especially important today,
with global businesses reporting sexual misconduct and other compliance issues in the workplace. You will have
an assignment on the topic where you will analyze a case study. The assignment’s details will be given during
class.
CAREER READINESS: 50% OF FINAL GRADE
MOCK INTERVIEWS: 10% OF YOUR FINAL GRADE AND PASS/FAIL OF ENTIRE CLASS
(ZERO OR ONE MULTIPLIER ON FINAL SCORE)
Resume, Cover Letter, and your LinkedIn profile are key components of a successful job/internship search. Video
and in person interviews are the methods companies use to evaluate candidates selected from the initial resume
review process. Interview proficiency is a critical aspect involved in securing an internship and/or a job.
Conducting and passing the Mock Interview is a requirement to pass the Business Forum class. You will need
to earn a minimum of 70 points on your Mock interview in order to pass.
You are required to use the VMock resume development tool to evaluate your resume. You must earn a grade of
60 to earn the resume points. You can update your resume in VMock based on the feedback provided to increase
your score. You are encouraged to earn a score of at least 75 to be confident your resume well written.
Business Forum Sample Schedule
Week Topic Details
Course requirements, OCM details, RBS REAL program;
1 Course Overview, OCM & REAL Canvas and Web Conferencing Tutorial
2 Resume, cover letter, interviewing Career preparation (in time for career fairs)
3 Academic Advising Academic success, advising, support resources
4 Department overviews majors, concentrations, clubs and associated careers
5 Department overviews majors, concentrations, clubs and associated careers
6 Rutgers and RBS resources Library, CAPS, OISS, TeamUP, clubs, RTWS, RVP…
7 Career Readiness Interviewing skills (virtual / in person)
8 Business Communications 1 Professor Eason

9 Skills development/BC 2 Presentations Skills, Networking, etc/ Professor Eason

10 Business Ethics Ethics and Integrity

11 Business Communications (4) Professor Eason
12 Financial Literacy, Professor Richter
13 Skills Development Case analysis and other skill workshops
14 Skills Development Skill workshops;
15 Final Classes recap of topics

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 Note: Guest speakers are brought in throughout the semester to enhance the student experience. These
include Alumni, Executives, Speaker Series, top recruiters. Also, class presentations are also made by
different organizations to expose students to all the opportunities an RU/RBS education has to offer.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
I do NOT tolerate cheating. Students are responsible for understanding the RU Academic Integrity Policy
(http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/files/documents/AI_Policy_2013.pdf). I will strongly enforce this Policy
and pursue all violations. On all examinations and assignments, students must sign the RU Honor Pledge, which
states, “On my honor, I have neither received nor given any unauthorized assistance on this examination or
assignment.” I will screen all written assignments through SafeAssign or Turnitin, plagiarism detection services
that compare the work against a large database of past work. Don’t let cheating destroy your hard-earned
opportunity to learn. See business.rutgers.edu/ai for more details.

SUPPORT SERVICES:
Rutgers University New Brunswick (RU-NB) is committed to the creation of an inclusive and safe learning
environment for all students and the university as a whole. RU-NB has identified the following resources to
further the mission of access and support:

For Individuals with Disabilities: The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is responsible for the determination
of appropriate accommodations for students who encounter barriers due to disability. Once a student has
completed the ODS process (registration, initial appointment, and submitted documentation) and reasonable
accommodations are determined to be necessary and appropriate, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be
provided. The LOA must be given to each course instructor by the student and followed up with a discussion.
This should be done as early in the semester as possible as accommodations are not retroactive. More information
can be found at ods.rutgers.edu. Contact ODS via email at : dsoffice@echo.rutgers.edu

For Individuals who are Pregnant: The Office of Title IX and ADA Compliance is available to assist with any
concerns or potential accommodations related to pregnancy. You may contact the Office of Title IX and ADA
Compliance at (973)353-1906 or via email at TitleIX@newark.rutgers.edu .
For Individuals seeking Religious Accommodations: The Office of the Dean of Students is available to verify
absences for religious observance, as needed. Contact the Dean of Students via email.
For Individuals with temporary conditions/injuries: Students who have experienced a temporary condition or
injury that is adversely affecting their ability to fully participate should submit a
request via https://temporaryconditions.rutgers.edu .
Absences: Per University Policy 10.2.7, you are responsible for communicating with your instructors regarding
absences. The Office of the Dean of Students is available to verify extended absences. Contact the Dean of
Students at
For English as a second language (ESL): Students experiencing difficulty in courses due to English as a second
language (ESL) should contact the Program in American Language Studies via
email at PALS@newark.rutgers.edu to discuss potential supports.
For Gender or Sex-Based Discrimination or Harassment: If you have experienced any form of gender or sex-
based discrimination or harassment, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence, or
stalking, know that help and support are available. If you wish to report an incident, you may contact the Office
of Title IX and ADA Compliance at (973)353-1906 or via email at TitleIX@newark.rutgers.edu . You may
also submit an incident report using the following link: tinyurl.com/RUNReportingForm. If you wish to speak
with a staff member who is confidential and does not have a reporting responsibility, you may contact the Office
for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at (973)353-1918 or via email at run.vpva@rutgers.edu . 

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 Rutgers Business School Student Code of Professional Conduct

Rutgers Business School is recognized for its high-quality education. To that end, maintaining the caliber of
classroom excellence, whether in person or online, requires students to adhere to the same behaviors that are
expected in professional career environments. These include the following principles:

Discussion and Correspondence

• Each student is encouraged to take an active part in class discussions and activities. Substantive dialogue
requires a degree of mutual respect, willingness to listen, and tolerance of opposing points of view.
Disagreement and the challenging of ideas must happen in a supportive and sensitive manner. Hostility
and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.

• In both correspondence and the classroom, students should demonstrate respect in the way they address
instructors. Students should use proper titles in addressing instructors unless there is an explicit
understanding that the instructor accepts less formal address. Similarly, appropriate formatting in
electronic communication, as well as timely responsiveness, are all expectations in every professional
interaction, including with instructors. Everything said and written should demonstrate respect and
goodwill.

Punctuality and Disruption

• Class starts and ends promptly at the assigned periods. Students are expected to be in their seats or present
online and ready to begin class on time.

• In person, packing belongings before the end of class is disruptive to both other students and the instructor.
Barring emergencies and within reason, students are expected to remain in their seats for the duration of
the class. Online, typing or attending to other tasks aside from the class is distracting. In addition, even if
the use of webcams is not required in your course, your attention is fundamentally lacking if you are
engaged in multiple tasks at once.

Technology
• The use of technology is sanctioned only as permitted by the course instructor. As research on learning
shows, peripheral use of technology in classes negatively impacts the learning environment in three ways:

1. Individual learning and performance directly suffer, resulting in the systemic lowering of grades
earned.

2. In the classroom, one student’s use of technology automatically diverts and captures other people’s
attention, thus impeding their learning and performance. Moreover, even minor infractions have a
spillover effect and result in others doing the same.

3. Subverting this policy (e.g., using a phone during class, even if hidden below the table or out of sight
from your webcam; tapping on a smartwatch; using a laptop for non-course related matters) is evident
to the course instructor and offensive to the principles of decorum in a learning environment.

• Networking, computing, and associated resources in the trading rooms, advanced technology rooms, and
general classrooms are to be used in the manner intended.

• Sharing links to private online classes, attempting to join an online class that you are not enrolled in, or
posting disruptive content during these sessions are strictly prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action.
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 • For more instructions on information technology resources at Rutgers University, please refer to the
Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology Resources.

Misappropriating Intellectual Property

• Almost all original work is the intellectual property of its authors. These works may include syllabi, lecture
slides, recorded lectures, homework problems, exams, and other materials, in either printed or electronic
form. The authors may hold copyrights in these works, which are protected by U.S. statutes. Copying this
work or posting it online (on sites such as Chegg or Course Hero) without the author's permission may
violate the author’s rights. More importantly, these works are the product of the author’s efforts; respect
for these efforts and the author’s intellectual property rights are important values that members of the
university community take seriously.

• For more instructions on copyright protections at Rutgers University, please refer to the Rutgers Libraries.

Rutgers Business School is committed to the highest standards of integrity. We value mutual respect and
responsibility, as these are fundamental to our educational excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

Questions
Any question of interpretation or application of this policy should be referred to the Director of Special Projects,
Mason Ameri at mason.ameri@rutgers.edu.