EVL390 - Professional Development and Portfolio

Subject Title
Professional Development and Portfolio

Subject Description
Driven by the Landscape Ontario Horticulture Trades Association, the Landscape industry is known for peer to peer networking and mentoring with a strong emphasis on the importance of social responsibility.  As an orientation in this area, students will learn about the support and continuous training opportunities that exist within the industry and have a better understanding of the skills required to advance their careers.  Within the course, students will construct a professional portfolio and engage in volunteer and professional development opportunities that enhance their skills and knowledge as environmental landscaping professionals.  The purpose of this course is to enable the student to make a smooth transition from an academic to a work environment.   Students will also undertake 28 hours of professional development activities or volunteer activities in parallel to the course.

Credit Status
Required credit in the Environmental Landscape Management program

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of the needs of professionals in the environmental landscaping industry.
2. Create an effective online collection of their skills.
3. Participate in one or more volunteer or professional development opportunities in the area of landscaping/environmental services that equates to 28 hours of activities.
4. Develop individual portfolios using an online platform.
5. Assess the professional development requirements for environmental landscaping professionals.
6. Evaluate the use of social media and advertising in a professional context.
7. Develop a career plan including milestones for achievement.

Essential Employability Skills
    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Execute mathematical operations accurately.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.