The purpose of this assignment is for you to explore the promise of careers for the common good, the perils of unethical work behavior, or both. You will do so by conducting an informational interview with a working professional with someone outside of the St. Thomas community and your existing network about the ethical dimensions of the work they do, and to analyze what you learn considering what you learn in the class.
A secondary benefit of the assignment is that you may expand your network to help you explore long-term professional possibilities and/or near-term volunteering opportunities.
As described below, in the last week of the term, you will turn in a final paper based on your interview and analysis. Throughout the term, there are weekly assignments designed to support your progress toward conducting your interview and producing your paper. You may complete assignments early for credit, but you cannot receive full credit for assignments that are turned in late.
Please note that I will share model answers with the class each week after assignments have been graded. If you do not wish your work to be shared as a model answer, please type I DO NOT WISH MY WORK TO BE SHARED at the top of your assignment. (Your work will still be eligible for the exceeds expectations bonus point for selection as a model answer even if you choose not to share it.)
The paper (due Tuesday, 10/26, by 9:40am US Central Time)
You are free to creatively shape the presentation and flow of your paper, but it should follow the CAT Scan method of analysis. Ultimately, it should examine a question of one of the following forms:
What should I be? That is, what did you learn about whether the career you researched for this assignment might or might not constitute a career for the common good, and how will you use what you learned in your future career?
What should I do? That is, what did you learn about whether a particular decision made by your interviewee might or might not constitute the most ethical course of action, and how will you use what you learned in your future career?
Using the CAT Scan, you should Describe the facts and issues, Discern the presenting ethical questions, Display options for being or doing, Decide on the best course of being or doing, Defend your recommended decision, and Define how to bring that decision about in the real world. The suggested length for the paper is 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced.
To meet expectations for this assignment, you must post a concise (4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced) answer to this assignment by the due date, which will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Clarity, conciseness, and quality of factual information to set up the key question for analysis (there is a lot to cover in a little space)
Quality and insightfulness of the interview you conducted and your analysis of the situation, tying your analysis to course concepts
General quality of the work product (professional appearance, quality of writing, etc.) and observance of assignment instructions.
Question: What should I be? That is, what did you learn about whether the career you researched for this assignment might or might not constitute a career for the common good, and how will you use what you learned in your future career?
The paper has to be based upon a CAT scan which I will post below