The essay: To become a PRM major we require that you write an essay on why you wish to become a major. To prepare for the essay, look at the resources in the student office and on the journal/magazine rack to get an idea of what the profession includes. You can take many directions in this field, so research these directions and then formulate some goals in your essay. Get the essay writing direction sheet, come down to the student office and write it freehand. We will use this essay to help us decide who should advise you and how we can help you devise a strategic plan. We also can tell how much you need to work on your writing so that, if necessary, you can add writing skills to your plan.
The strategic plan: You will develop a strategic plan with us so that you can show involvement on your résumé by the time you graduate. Prospective employers look for involvement. If you come to us after the completion of Liberal Studies requirements or as a transfer student, you’ll have only two years to execute your plan, so we have to “hit the ground running.” Your adviser will assess your progress toward these goals during each advising session.
The portfolio: All your certificates, awards, documents from classes etc., will be used to build an interview portfolio. It might include a program/grant proposal, program evaluation, research prospectus, business plan, Risk Management Plan, certificates, and references from your mini-internships. In the Senior Seminar, you will revise previous class work that you have saved in paper and electronic form.
The portfolio is extremely important. It is part of your ticket to getting your capstone internship and your first job. All the documents in the portfolio are blueprints or models for you to use in the future. You will actually have something to help you when you are asked to produce such documents as part of your first or subsequent jobs.
The portfolio will contain the following items, among others:
- Grant/program proposal
- Evaluation report
- Trip planning document
- Research prospectus
- Business plan
- Risk Management Plan
- Leadership self-analysis (outdoor students)
- LOG/journal (outdoor students)
- Résumé/letter of application/3 references
- Computer example data
- Leadership self study with graphs and charts
- Budget spreadsheet
- PERT chart
For more information, reference the PRM Student Handbook (Word).