I10-002 questions - XML Master- Professional V2 Updated: 2023

Imagine you approached someone you admired, and boldly asked that person to mentor you. And the answer was “Yes!” But a year into the relationship, those monthly mentoring sessions might not invigorate you like they used to, and aren’t quite as energizing for the mentor, either.

4 Types Of Questions To Ask A Mentor

1. Stories

To break the ice, have your mentor tell a story from his or her own career. Hey, everybody likes to talk about themselves! For example, you could inquire: “How did you get to where you are today?” or “How did you land your current role?” But you could also ask more specific questions that address your career objectives and concerns. Some questions to consider:

• Was there a time you messed up and felt like you’d failed? How did you bounce back?

• How did you learn to embrace risk-taking?

• Tell me about a exact business setback. How did you recover?

• Think back to five years ago. Did you envision your career as it is today?

• Was there ever a role you applied for and landed, but weren't 100% qualified to do? How did you proceed?

• What do you wish you had known before taking your first management role?

• Which leadership skills were the most difficult to develop?

• Can you tell me about a time when you had a difficult boss? How did you handle the situation?

• What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned and how has it proven invaluable?

• How did you develop the skill of speaking so engagingly in front of groups?

2. Situations

Now that the conversation is flowing, get more granular in your requests and bring a specific situation to your mentor--one that you’d like help navigating. For example:

• I tried to delegate a task last week and it did not go well. Can we work through what to do differently next time?

• Who are the people I need to align with in this organization to achieve success?

• My boss said I need to be more strategic. What does that mean?

• How can I let my boss know that I don’t need to be micromanaged?

• How can I stay connected to key influencers who do not work in same office or geographical area?

• When trying to gain buy-in to implement a new program, what tactics have worked for you?

• My performance review is coming up. What type of preparation do you most appreciate seeing from your employees?

• I have two very different career path options available to me. Can you weigh in to help me make a final decision?

• I'm considering a career transition. What are some other areas of the business that might be a good fit for me?

• I’ve heard that taking a stretch assignment could help my career trajectory. What are the pros and cons?

3. Self-Awareness

One of the greatest gifts you can deliver yourself is the gift of self-awareness, meaning the ability to see yourself as others view you. That way, if you like how you’re perceived, you can embrace it and take steps to strengthen that positive perception. If you don’t like how you are currently perceived, you can take steps to shift that perception to a more positive one that supports, rather than undermines, your career and leadership goals.

After starting with the obvious question: “How do you think others perceive me?” become more specific, so your mentor can assist by “holding up the mirror” and providing detailed feedback on how your actions and communication are impacting the way others see you. Ask questions such as:

• How am I viewed? In other words, what's my personal brand in our organization?

• Where do you see my strengths?

• What do you see as some of my blind spots and how can I improve?

• How I am viewed by leadership?

• What do people say about me when I’m not in the room?

• Could you offer feedback on ways to Strengthen my executive presence?

• Do I come across as strategic or tactical in my day-to-day communication?

• Am I viewed as high-maintenance when I send my boss weekly status updates?

• How could I have communicated my idea more clearly?

• When I presented at the last meeting, how did I do? Did my communication style support the message I intended to deliver?

4. Skill-Building

Is there a skill you’re currently working to enhance, such as project management, long-term strategic planning, delegating, or public speaking? Use questions like these to ask your mentor for advice and resources to help you polish that skill:

• How can I become a more assertive negotiator?

• Can we role-play asking for a raise and a promotion?

• How can I become better at managing people who do not report to me?

• Do you have any quick tips for re-energizing an overworked team?

• Can you recommend a book or resource for dealing with difficult conversations?

• What practices can you recommend for dealing with nervousness when speaking to groups?

• I have been asked to facilitate a team-building activity at a staff retreat. What are some keys to success?

• What’s a good methodology or tool for project management and tracking team commitments?

• Do you have a template that you use for long-range visioning and strategic planning?

• What new skills do I need to move ahead?

With these four types of questions and their accompanying examples, you’ll never sit through another mentoring conversation wondering if the other person is finding the discussion useful. And deliver this list to those whom you mentor, encouraging them to use it to maximize the value of the time you spend together.

Interview Questions

Your goal during an interview is to convince the employer that you are the best candidate for the job. In order to accomplish this, you must be able to clearly and articulately convey that you have the specific skills and strengths for which the employer is looking. The best way to increase your likelihood of effectively responding to interview questions is through advanced preparation. Before an interview, you should prepare your responses to standard interview questions and practice speaking them out loud. If you can, do a mock interview with a Steinbright staff member or with family or friends. Below are some frequently asked interview questions that you can refer to while preparing for interviews.

Questions about You

Questions about Your Skills and Motivation

Questions about Your Experience

Questions About Hypothetical Situations / Theoretical Questions

Illegal Interview Questions

Questions that can and cannot be asked during the interview phase of the recruitment process are determined by federal and state laws. The reason these laws are in place is to ensure that the interviewer does not obtain personal background information on the candidate that could be used to bar them from employment. The purpose of an interview is for an employer to assess a candidate based on the skill sets and aptitudes required to sufficiently perform the job, not to obtain personal information unrelated to the job duties and responsibilities. Explore the following sections to learn about illegal interview courses in the United States, examples of illegal questions, and what to do, both in the moment and afterwards, if you are asked questions of a potentially illegal nature.

If you are a Drexel student and feel you have been asked inappropriate questions during an interview, it is important to contact the Steinbright Career Development Center after your interview. Steinbright works closely with Drexel's Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture and the Counseling Center who provide support to students facing issues relating to harassment, bias, and discrimination.

It is illegal for an employer to ask about the following courses during an interview: age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, pregnancy status, marital status, or citizenship status.

Illegal Interview courses and demo Questions

What should I do if I am asked a question during an interview that feels inappropriate or potentially illegal?

More Information

Questions for the Interviewer

Most interviewers will conclude by asking "Do you have any questions for me?" The interviewer will expect you to have questions prepared and will use these questions to gauge your interest in and understanding of the job. Asking thoughtful and specific questions about the job and company will demonstrate to the interviewer that you are serious about the position. Conversely, if you do not ask questions you appear uninterested.

Also keep in mind that the interview is your opportunity to learn more about the position in order to determine if it is a good fit for you. Be sure to ask questions that will enable to you fully understand the scope of the job, so that you can make an informed decision about working for the company.

The following list contains appropriate questions for candidates to ask in the initial job interview. This list is by no means exhaustive; you should develop your own questions during the course of your research on the company. Ask specific questions based on your research of the company: growth plans, competitors, new products, and research, etc.

• What type of training programs do you have?
• How long is the training period?
• What does the training consist of?
• How and when will my performance be evaluated?
• What can I do between now and the start of the position so that I am prepared to hit the ground running?
• What is unique about your company?
• Can you describe the company's basic management philosophy?
• What is the organizational structure above and below this position?
• Do you hire co-op students from cycle to cycle?
• What percentage of your co-ops become full-time employees upon graduation?
• In your opinion, why is this a good place to work?
• What has your career progression been within this company?
• If I excel in this job, would I have the opportunity to increase my job duties and responsibilities?
• What would make an employee stand out as "exceptional" in this job?

Avoid asking questions that makes you appear to be more interested in what you can get from the company than what you can offer them. Also avoid questions whose answers you could have easily found for yourself if you had put any effort into researching the company. Some courses to avoid include:

• Salary
• Benefits
• Vacation or time off
• Information that could be found via online research or in the job description

Practice your interview responses using Big Interview, a video interviewing platform complete with video tutorials and practice software.

What does a site license subscription provide?

Your site license includes access to:

• The Chronicle’s content, daily news, and data.
• Articles and essays dating back to 1989.
• Special issues like The Almanac of Higher Education and The Trends Report.
• Daily and weekly newsletters with the creation of a free account.
• Virtual events with courses for everyone on campus.
• Opinion pieces from leaders in higher education.
• Higher Education job board and salary comparison data.

If you are interested in an individual subscription to The Chronicle that includes access to our Daily Briefing newsletter, print edition, access to our long form in-depth reports, and other valuable benefits, you can subscribe here.

How can my institution access our site license?

Access to Chronicle.com is available anytime and anywhere, whether on campus, at the office or reading from home, as the site license provides both IP authentication and domain access.

IP Access - If you are on campus or at the office: Go to Chronicle.com for access. You may be asked to authenticate through your library.

Domain Access - If you are accessing remotely: Go to Chronicle.com and Sign In to your account, if you already have one, for access. If you do not already have an account, follow these steps:

1. Go to Chronicle.com and click on the “Sign In” link at the top, right-hand side of the page.

2. Click on the “Sign Up” link to create a free account using your institutional or organizational email address. You also have the option to sign up for The Chronicle’s free email newsletters during the registration process.

3. Activate your account by confirming your email address in the “The Chronicle: Confirm your email address” email.

Do I have enough people to warrant a site license as opposed to individual subscriptions?

Can I sign up for newsletters if I’m using a site license?

How can I sign up for a free account to receive free reports and newsletters if I have access through my institution’s site license?

How can I get access to the oldest articles from the website?

How can I get more information about our site license, request usage statistics, update IP addresses or request assistance?

After the third move, military spouses notice that the military is having a profound effect on their salary prospects, their job hunt, and their career. In this 60-minute master class for spouses only, learn how to overcome the resume and find the work you deserve.

NOTE: Applications are no longer being accepted for this program.

The Master of Science (MS) in Professional Studies program provides students with the highly valued skills — such as writing, strategic planning, persuasion, ethics, intercultural consciousness, critical thinking, and self-awareness — needed to collaborate, negotiate and lead effectively in today’s workplace. Through an interdisciplinary blend of quantitative and qualitative courses, students can apply their knowledge and skills across multiple industries.

The students who will benefit from the MS in Professional Studies will have a minimum of three years in the workforce. They will be in lower management or looking to move into management, but whose options are limited without the quantitative and qualitative skills necessary to succeed in today’s workplace. Our master's in Professional Studies is offered online, giving you the flexibility to complete your master’s program your way.

What is a Master of Science in Professional Studies Degree?

Our Master of Science (MS) in Professional Studies teaches you transferable skills like communication, ethics, leadership and strategic decision-making and then solidifies them with the hands-on experience you can speak to in an interview. This program is similar to a Masters of Professional Studies in that they are both intended for working professionals and teach you applicable skills. However, the MS in Professional Studies program goes a step further by encouraging you to practice the research skills and theoretical approaches of a master of science degree with the flexibility and applied skills of a Master’s of Professional Studies.

Read our FAQ for more info.

MS in Professional Studies Program Goals

The MS in Professional Studies program aims to equip students with the following demonstrable skills:

• Communication — enhancing oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills to allow students to easily relate to, collaborate with, and lead others in the work place - both in person and virtually
• Leadership — providing students with the necessary tools to lead people and organizations through the acts of negotiation, attracting and sustaining talent, and thinking and acting strategically to achieve results
• Critical Inquiry — training students to conduct research and collect data using proven scientific methods and then evaluate and analyze that data to make profitable decisions in the workplace
• Ethics — developing a moral and ethical framework from which organizational decisions can be made

Hear from a student

“The Professional Studies program perfectly aligned with what I was looking to gain from a degree program. The focus on experiential learning and discussion, coupled with the opportunities to take real-life problems and utilize the research methods to discover and apply solutions, allowed me to take what I was learning over the course of the program and apply it directly back to my role.

This program is an excellent choice for anyone looking to develop and refine their skills as an effective leader or strengthen their 'power' skills to prepare them for success as they take the next steps in their careers.”

— Jessica Barr, Assistant Director, Enrollment Services, Drexel University Online.

What Can You do with a Master of Science in Professional Studies?

The skills students obtain in our Master of Science in Professional Studies degree program are transferable across a wide variety of industries like business and finance, marketing and communications, government, service and education, Students who complete the program will be well versed in essential skills that are highly sought after by employers. These skills include:

• Communication 
• Ethics 
• Team management 
• Leadership 
• Influencing others 
• Creativity 
• Analysis 

Career Placement

Our professors in the MS in Professional Studies are career professionals who bring real-world workplace situations to our virtual classrooms. This better prepares you to apply your learned skills in the following industries: communications, human resources, finance, insurance, marketing, utilities, pharmaceuticals, among many others. How you apply this degree is up to you! Regardless of the career path you choose, the MS in Professional Studies degree will hone your skills allowing you to leverage yourself into various levels of middle and upper management with continued possibilities to advance your career.

Admissions Requirements

• 3.0 GPA on undergraduate or other completed master’s transcripts
• Two professional recommendations (three preferred)
• Resume (minimum of three years work experience)
• Statement of Purpose (250-500 words)
  • Why is the individual pursuing a Master’s degree?
• Students may also submit (if they choose – not required) any of the following:
  • GRE/GMAT scores
  • Example of a work project that demonstrates his/her current skill
• Up to 6 transfer credits may be accepted if the courses taken closely align with the core courses in the MS in Professional Studies curriculum

The Chemistry Department offers two Professional Science Master's Options within the Master's of Science in Chemistry. Please read the admissions requirements and programs requirements carefully as they are not identical. These programs are no longer accepting applications.

PSMCPSMaster's of Science - Professional Science Master's in Chemistry and Polymer Science Option (PSMCPS)

The goal of this program is to further educate ACS accredited chemists for a professional career in an industrial, government, or non-profit research setting.

This is a 32 credit program which requires the successful completion of 18 credits of chemistry/polymer science courses, 9 credits of management courses, 3 credits of management or chemistry electives, a one-credit ethics seminar; and a one-credit professional internship.

Applicants who have recently graduated, as well as, those who have worked in the chemistry/polymer field for multiple years, and foresee the potential of a managerial role in their future are urged to apply.

PSMCPS-Admissons-requirementsChemistry Department Admissions Requirements for the PSMCPS:

Incoming students must possess an ACS undergraduate degree in chemistry (or its full equivalent) and have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000 from an accredited college or university. Candidates with a closely related major may be admitted with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Since advanced study is required in at least three disciplines of chemistry, a number of courses in Analytical/Environmental, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, Physical and Polymer will be available every semester. All students must make up any deficiencies during the first year of their program.

Applications for the Professional Science Masters in Chemistry and Polymer Science are accepted year round, but it is recommended that completed applications be submitted one semester prior to expected matriculation.

Graduate Admissions Requirements:

General requirements for all applicants are a completed application packet supplied by the Graduate Admissions Office which includes:

• Graduate Admissions Application form
• A Statement of Purpose
• Three letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability and/or professional performance
• Official score report for the Graduate Record Exam, with a satisfactory level score
• Official transcript(s)
• Application fee

Applications may be downloaded or submitted electronically from the Graduate Admissions website.

PSMCPS-Course-of-StudyPSMCPS Course of Study

Chemistry and Polymer Science Course Requirements (18-21 credits total

Required Core Courses for Chemistry and Polymer Science (Choose 4 courses from the following list. Each course is 3 credits):

Elective Courses for Chemistry and Polymer Science (Choose 2-3 courses from the following list. Students may also use the fifth course from the list above. Each course is 3 credits.):

Provision is made for a student to elect certain advanced subjects in related fields of chemistry, mathematics, physics, and engineering with permission of PSM Coordinator & Faculty advisor.

Management Course Requirements (9-12 credits total): Students are required to take a minimum of six credits of advanced (6000 level) courses. Up to two 2-credit basic courses may count towards the degree if they are advanced course prerequisites.

Required Advanced Management Courses (2 courses; 3 credits each):

Advanced Elective Management Courses (1-2 Courses; 3 credits each)

• FINA.6400 Financing Innovation & Technology Ventures
• MKTG.6300 Market Research for Entrepreneurs
  
• ENTR.650 Innovation & Emerging Technology
  
• MGMT.6300 New Product Development
• Basic Courses (2 credits each) maybe prerequisites of advanced courses. If necessary, up to two of the following 2 credit courses can be counted towards the program requirements
  
• ACCT.5010 Financial Accounting
  
• FINA.5010 Business Financial Analysis
  
• MKTG.5010 Marketing Fundamentals
  
• MGMT.5010 Organizational Behavior

Other courses may be substituted with permission of the PSM Coordinator and the Faculty Advisor.

Required Science and Ethics Seminar (1 credit total)

Required Professional Internship: (1 credit total)

The duration of the internship component of the PSM degree is expected to be a minimum of 340 hours and be 3 to 6 months in duration. The student will work within a business, government agency or research institute directly related to their area of chemistry. The student is encouraged to participate in real world work situations involving not only technical problems, but also teamwork, communication skills and decision-making.

Before commencing the internship a student must be formally enrolled in the PSM program, have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours (including one management and one ethics course) towards the degree, and have permission of their faculty advisor.

Upon completion the intern will be required to submit a paper in thesis format and defend an oral presentation of their work.

Students who possess a full-time position in business, industry or government will be permitted to use work related to their current position as an internship.

PSMPBProfessional Science Masters in Pharmaceutical Biochemistry (PSMPB)

The goal of this program is to further educate scientists with strong backgrounds in chemistry/biochemistry for a professional career in an industrial, government, or non-profit research pharmaceutical setting. This is a 32 credit program which requires the successful completion of 18 credits of chemistry/biochemistry coursework, 9 credits of management course work, an additional three credits of chemistry or management electives, a one-credit ethics seminar, and a one-credit professional internship.

Applicants who have recently graduated, as well as, those who have worked in the biochemistry/pharmaceutical field for multiple years, and foresee the potential of a managerial role in their future are urged to apply.

PSMPB-Admission-RequirementChemistry Department Admissions Requirements for the PSMPB:

• The PSMPB program will consider applicants with BA/BS undergraduate degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, health professions or related disciplines who possess a significant chemistry background and have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000 from an accredited college or university.
• Since advanced study is required in at least three disciplines of chemistry, a number of courses in Analytical/Environmental, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry will be available every semester. All students must make up any deficiencies during the first year of their program.
• Applications for the Professional Science Masters in Chemistry and Polymer Science are accepted year round, but it is recommended that completed applications be submitted one semester prior to expected matriculation.

Graduate Admissions Requirements:

General requirements for all applicants are a completed application packet supplied by the Graduate Admissions Office which includes:

• Graduate Admissions Application form
• A Statement of Purpose
• Three letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability and/or professional performance
• Official score report for the Graduate Record Exam, with a satisfactory level score
• Official transcript(s)
• Application fee
• Applications may be downloaded or submitted electronically from the Graduate Admissions website.

PSMPB-Course-of-StudyPSMPB Course of Study

Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Course Requirements (18-21 credits total)

Required Core Courses for Pharmaceutical Biochemistry (All students must take CHEM.550 and CHEM.562 PLUS two courses from the following list. Each course is 3 credits):

And two courses from the following list:

Elective Courses for Pharmaceutical Biochemistry (Choose 2-3 courses from the following list or an additional course from the above list. Each course is 3 credits.):

Provision also is made for the student to elect certain advanced subjects in related fields of chemistry, health sciences, biology, and other related disciplines with permission of PSM Coordinator & Faculty advisor.

Management Course Requirements (9-12 credits total):

Required Courses (2 courses; 3 credits each):

Other courses may be substituted with permission of the PSM Coordinator and the Faculty Advisor.

Science and Ethics Course (1 credit total)

Professional Internship: (1 credit total)

The duration of the internship component of the PSM degree is expected to be a minimum of 340 hours and be 3 to 6 months in duration. The student will work within a business, government agency or research institute directly related to their area of chemistry. The student is encouraged to participate in real world work situations involving not only technical problems, but also teamwork, communication skills and decision-making. Before commencing the internship a student must be formally enrolled in the PSM program, have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours (including one management and one ethics course) towards the degree, and have permission of the PSM coordinator and their faculty advisor. Upon completion the intern will be required to submit a paper in thesis format and defend an oral presentation of their work. Students who possess a full-time position in business, industry or government will be permitted to use work related to their current position as an internship.

Please address any inquiries to Chemistry PSM Coordinator: Jin Xu.