Career & Education Planning Workbook - JCCC Home · Career & Education Planning Workbook ... A snapshot of the Main Menu of FOCUS 2 CAREER appears on the next page. ... Focus 2 Workbook

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Career & Education Planning Workbook

Career Dimensions, Inc.

All Rights Reserved, 2017

Career Dimensions, Inc., P.O. Box 998, Center Harbor, NH 03226

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to FOCUS 2 CAREER 3

Setting Up your FOCUS 2 CAREER Account 5

Snapshot of the FOCUS 2 CAREER Main Menu 6

Introduction to the Career & Education Planning Process 7

Understanding Your FOCUS 2 CAREER Portfolio Results 12

Help from Counselors: Coping With Obstacles and Concerns 20

Create a Plan to Achieve your Objectives 22

Journaling Exercises 24

Conclusion 26

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INTRODUCTIONTOFOCUS2CAREER

WhatisFOCUS2CAREER?

FOCUS2CAREERisanonlineinteractive,self-guidedcareerandeducationplanningsystemdesignedtohelpyoumakedecisionsaboutyourfuturecareergoalsandeducationplans.

FOCUS2CAREERwillguideyouthroughaninteractiveprocessthatwill:

1. Assessyourcareerplanningreadiness,workinterests,values,skills,personalitytypeandleisuretimeinterests.

2. Broadenyourcareeroptionsanddiscoveroccupationsmatchingyourpersonalpreferencesandattributes.

3. Discoverandexplorecareerfields,majorsandtrainingprogramsthatarebestforyou.

4. Planacareerandeducationalpathwaythatwillsupportyourpersonalneedsandgoals.

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WHENSHOULDYOUUSEFOCUS2CAREER?

UseFOCUS2CAREERthroughoutyourcollegeyearsandasanalumnus.FOCUS2CAREERcanbeusedindifferentwaysthroughoutallstagesofyoureducationandcareerplanningaccordingtoyourneeds.

CareerPlanningfor1stand2ndYearStudents:

• Understandthecareerplanningprocess

• LearnaboutyourselfthroughselfassessmentsbyusingFOCUS2CAREER

• Takeexploratoryclassestolearnaboutthemajorsatyourcollege

• Explorecareerfieldsandoccupationsthatappealtoyou

• Consultwithyourcareercounselors,academicadvisors,mentors

• Learnaboutandplanforactivitiesthatwillsupportyourdecisionmakingandcareerdevelopment(internships,externships,volunteeropportunities,parttimejobs,studyabroad)

CareerPlanningUpperClassmanandAlumniStudents:

• Continuedcareerexplorationandawareness,useFOCUS2CAREERasanongoingresource

• Supportyourcareerdevelopmentthroughinternships,volunteering,cooperativelearning,leadershiproles

• Consultwithyourcareercounselors,academicadvisors,mentors

• Makecareerplans,developyourresumeandcoverletters,network,developarapportwithfacultyinyourmajor,planforlettersofrecommendation,developinterviewingskills,conductinformationalinterviews

• Planforadvancededucationandtraining,entrancetests,certifications

• Makeinformeddecisionsaboutyourmajorandcareer

HOWMUCHTIMEWILLITTAKEMETOUSEFOCUS2CAREER?

Typically,thetimespentbystudentsthefirsttimetheyuseFOCUS2CAREERrangesfrom1-2hours.Ofcourse,youcanspendasmuchtimeasyouneed.MyCareerPlanningReadiness&SelfAssessmentsofFOCUS2CAREERcanusuallybecompletedinapproximately30-45minutes.FOCUS2CAREERhasuptodate,detailedinformationaboutover1,000differentoccupationchoicesandmajors.AgoodstrategyistouseFOCUS2CAREER,thenthinkaboutyourresultsanddiscussyourideaswithyourcareercounselorandacademicadvisorandthenreturntouseFOCUS2CAREERasanongoingresource.YoucanuseFOCUS2CAREERthroughoutyouracademicyearsandasanalumnus.

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SETTINGUPYOURFOCUS2CAREERACCOUNT

HOWTOSETUPYOURACCOUNTANDLOGBACKINTOFOCUS2CAREER

NewUsers:

Createyouraccountbylinkingtoyourcollege’sFOCUS2CAREERselfregistrationpage._________________________________________________

Yourcollege’sAccessCode:_______________

ReturningUsers:

YoucanlogbackintoyourFOCUS2CAREERaccountwithyourusernameandpasswordatanytime.

Ifyouforgetyourusernameand/orpassword,gototheFOCUS2CAREERloginpageandclickonthelinkthatsays“Ifyouhaveforgottenyourusernameorpassword,clickhere”.

THINGSTOKEEPINMIND

• UseFOCUS2CAREERonanydevice,includingallcomputers,phones,tablets,etc.(Noappstoload).

• FOCUS2CAREERalwayssavesyourassessmentresults

• UseFOCUS2CAREERasoftenasyouwish

• Youcanchangeyourmindaboutearlierchoices,repeatasectionandexplorenewoptions

• Yourresultsarestoredonlineandarealwaysavailabletoyouandyourcareercounselor/advisor

• UsethevariousfeaturesofFOCUS2inanyorder

• Savetheoccupationsandmajorsthatmostappealtoyou

• Seektheexpertadviceofyourcareercounselortoenhanceyourcareerplanning

AsnapshotoftheMainMenuofFOCUS2CAREERappearsonthenextpage.ThelayoutoftheFOCUS2CAREERdashboardmirrorsthestepsofthecareerplanningprocess.MoststudentsstartatthetopofthedashboardandthenworkdownthroughtheFOCUS2CAREERtools.

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INTRODUCTIONTOTHECAREERPLANNINGPROCESS

THECAREER&EDUCATIONPLANNINGPROCESS

FrankJ.Minor,Ph.D. AssociateProfessor,Emeritus,SaintAnselmCollege,NH

CareerDimensions,Inc.,Copyright©2012,2017

WHYCAREERPLANNINGISNECESSARY

Intoday'srapidlychangingworld,newcareerpathsareconstantlyunfolding,traditionalonesarebeingchangedandshiftsaretakingplaceinoccupationskillsandeducationalrequirements.Thesechangesarearesultofnewtechnology,modificationsinorganizationaldesignandthetrendtowardsglobalbusinessoperations.Withallthesechanges,youmightask"Whatisthepointofplanningaheadbydevelopingacareerplan?"Thepointistobereadyforchangewithasetofcareergoals,strategyandoptionsbasedonyourinterests,personality,valuesandskills.Onceyouhaveaplan,youwillbeequippedtomanageyourcareerandtakeadvantageofchangesintheeconomyandjobmarketratherthanbecomingavictimofchange.

WHOISRESPONSIBLEFORPLANNINGANDMANAGINGYOURCAREER?

Planningyourcareeristotallyyourresponsibility.Itisuptoyoutodotheplanningandtakethenecessaryactionstoobtaintheeducationandtrainingthatwillsupportyourcareerplans.However,youcangethelp.Forexample,youradvisororcareercounselorcanadviseyouabout

• Yourcareerplanningstrategy

• Howtofindinformationyouneed

• Howtogetaroundobstacles

• Howtogoaboutplanningyourcurrentandlongtermeducationandtraining

Keepinmind,throughoutyourlife,youaretheonewhomustmakeallthedecisionsaboutyourcareerandyoumustproducetheresultsthatsupportyourgoals.It’suptoyoutocontrolandnavigateyourowndestiny.

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THEIMPORTANCEOFSELFASSESSMENT

Understandingyourselfisacriticalaspectofcareerandeducationalexplorationandplanning.Themoreyouknowaboutyourcareerrelatedinterests,values,skills,personalitytypeandpreferences,thebetterequippedyouwillbetoidentifythecareerfields,majorareasofstudyandtrainingprograms,andeducationpathwaysthatarecompatiblewithyourpersonalattributes.TheFOCUS2CAREERsystemwillhelpyoudevelopanaccurateselfassessmentofyourpersonalqualities:

• YourWorkInterestsareareflectionofthekindsofworkrelatedactivitiesandtasksyoumostenjoydoing.

• YourPersonalityTypeisadescriptionofhowyoureacttocertainsituationsandpeopleandhowyoumakedecisions,organizeinformationandgoaboutsolvingproblems.

• YourValuesareadescriptionofwhatismostimportanttoyouinyourlife.Forexample,youmightvalueearningalotofmoney,helpingotherpeople,beingcreativeandartistic,havingasecureandsteadyjob,etc.

• YourSkillsareareflectionofyourtalentsandthetypesofthingsyoueasilylearnandperformwell.

• YourLeisureTimeInterestsareareflectionofthekindsofleisurerelatedactivitiesyoumostenjoydoing.

THEBIGPICTURE:YOURLIFEPLAN

Itisagoodideatoplanyourcareerbasedonthebigpicture,thatis,yourlifeplan.Askyourself,“WhatkindoflifedoIwanttolead?”Asyoucanimagine,yourcareerdecisionswilldramaticallyimpactyourlifestyle.Youroccupationwillinfluenceyour

• income

• workhours

• travel

• jobsecurity

• colleaguesandfriends

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• leisuretime

• whereyoulive

Questionsyouneedtoaskyourselfaboutyourlifeplanare:

• WhatprinciplesamIcommittedtoasaperson?I.e.family,security,prestige,accomplishments,etc.

• WhatkindsofexperiencesdoIwantinmylife?I.e.travel,adventure,cultural,etc.

• WhatpersonaltalentsdoIwanttodevelop?I.e.music,art,language,communication,intellectual,etc.

• HowdoIliketospendmyleisuretime?I.e.communityservices,recreationandsports,travel,etc.

Finally,youmustaskyourselfwhethertheoccupationalgoalsandeducationalavenuesyouareconsideringwillbesupportiveofyourlifeplan.

ROLESYOUPLAYINYOURLIFE

Beingaworkerwillbeinterconnectedwithotherrolesyouplayinlife.Examplesofrolesthatareaffectedbyyourcareercouldincludebeingaparent,acommunitycitizen,astudent,arecreationist.Yourcareerreachesbeyondbeingawageearnerinyourchosenoccupation.Forexample,aneasywaytoseehowyourchoiceofanoccupationaffectsyourfuturerolesistoconsiderthefollowingscenario.Ifyouweretobeawageearner,parent,andstudentthenclearlyyouroccupationalincomemustbesufficienttopayfortheexpensesincurredintheseotherroles.Mostpeopleareprimarilyinvolvedwithtwoorthreerolesatatime.Whichrolesyouarefocusingondependsuponyourageandlifestage.Forexample,incollege,yourprinciplerolesmaybeasstudentandrecreationist.Laterinlifeyourprinciplerolesmaybeasworkerandparent.Thepointisthatthroughoutyourlifeyouwillplayacombinationofwork,leisure,study,homemakingandcitizenrolesthatareintermixed.Thereforewhenyoumakedecisionsaboutyourcareer,youshouldtakeintoconsiderationtheeffectofthesecareerdecisionsonyourotherareasofyourlife.

THELIFE-CAREERRAINBOW

RefertotheLife-CareerRainbowChartbelowtogetabetterpictureofthekindofrolesyoumayplayatvariousagesandstagesofyourcareerandlife.

ThetwoouterarcsoftheLife-CareerRainbowshowyoutheLifeStagesyoumaymovethroughduringyourcareerandlife,andyourapproximateageineach.ThelowerarcsoftheLife-CareerRainbowshowyouthedifferentrolesyoumayengageinwhileindifferentLifeStagesandAges.

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SUMMINGITALLUP

Hereishowtotakethe‘BigPicture’intoconsiderationwhenmakingcareerandeducationplans:

First,whenchoosinganoccupation,thinkaboutwhichofyouroptionswillmostlikelyprovideyouwithself-fulfillmentinallyourroles,notonlyinthepresent,butinthefuture.

Second,periodicallydustoffyourcareerplans,takestockofyourselfandwhat’shappeninginyourlife,andthenmakeadjustmentsinyourcareerasneeded.Forexample,changesinyourcareerfieldmayrequirethatyoulearnnewskills,orchangesinyourpersonalinterestsorvaluesorsocialorfamilysituationsmayaffectyourcareeraspirations,etc.

BENEFITSOFHAVINGACAREERPLAN

Onceyouhaveestablishedyourcareergoalsyouwillbebetterabletomakechoicesaboutyourcollegemajorandminorareasofstudyandthecoursesyoushouldtake.Yourcareergoalswillalsoenableyoutomakedecisionsaboutpersonaldevelopmentalactivitieswhileincollegesuchasinternships,volunteerworkandsummerjobs.Researchhasshownthattherearemanysignificantadvantagesandbenefitsofhavingcareerplans.Collegestudentswithcareerplans:

• Arelesslikelytomakecostlychangesintheircollegeeducationplansandaremorelikelytograduateontime.

• Aremoreconfidentandsatisfiedwiththeirchoiceofanoccupationandmajorareaofstudy.

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• Achievehighercollegegradesbecausetheirdecisionsabouttheireducationpatharecompatiblewithandarebasedontheirpersonalinterests,valuesandabilities.

• Earnhigherincomesintheirentryjobs

Whileincollege,it’sagoodideatomapoutanactionplanthatleadsyoutoyourgoals.Theplancanserveasareferencethatyouandyouradvisorscanmonitorandadjustasneeded.

SEEKINGEXPERTADVICE:CAREERCOUNSELING

InconjunctionwithusingFOCUS2CAREER,youmaywanttomeetwithacareercounselor,mentororadvisor.

Bepreparedtosummarizeandaskquestionsconcerning:

• Yourcareerrelatedinterests,values,personalityandabilities.

• Yourpresentoccupational,educationalandcollege/traininggoalsandplans.

• Responsibilitiesorobstaclesthatareinterferingwithyourcareerandcollege/trainingdecisionmaking.

• Yourlifeplan,lifestyledesiresandstrategytoachieveyourgoals.

Yourcareeradvisorcangiveyouideasandinformationtohelpyou:

• Verifytherationaleofyourcareerdecisionsandeducationplans.

• Helpyoudevelopyourlongtermeducationalpathway.

• Pinpointyourpersonaldevelopmentneedsthatareimportantforyoutoachieveyourgoals.

• Suggestwaystogetaroundanyobstaclesthatareinterferingwithyourdecisionmakingandplanning.

• Formulatestrategiesandactionplanstoachieveyourcareerandeducationalobjectives.

CareerPlanningisalifelongprocessofexplorationandplanningofyourcareerandeducationalgoalscompatiblewithyourinterests,values,talents,personalityandaspirations.Itinvolvesthinkingaboutwhicheducationalandoccupationalpathswillprovideyouwithsatisfactionandfulfillmentinallaspectsofyourlife,

presentandfuture.

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UNDERSTANDINGYOURFOCUS2CAREERPORTFOLIORESULTS

AfteryouuseFOCUS2CAREER,itcanbebeneficialtoreviewanddiscussyourFOCUS2CAREERresultswithyourcareercounselor.Thefollowingmodulewillhelpyoutounderstandanduseyourresults.

Besureyouhavesavedyourfavoriteoccupationsandmajors.Byeliminatingorsavingoccupationsandmajorsyouaremakingdecisions.Narrativedescriptionsofyourattributesareincludedineachoftheassessmentresultsandaresummarizedinyourcareerportfolio.Youshouldhaveagoodunderstandingofyourcareerrelevantattributesandhowtheywillbeanassettoyouintheworldofwork.Yourassessmentsummariescanbehelpfultorefertowhilewritingcoverlettersorpreparingforinterviews.

RefertoyourFOCUS2CAREERPortfolioresultsasyoucompletethefollowingexercises.

MYCAREERPLANNINGREADINESSASSESSMENT

TheMyCareerPlanningReadinessassessmentmeasuresyourlevelofinvolvementinactivitiesthatsupportselfawareness,careerexplorationandyoursatisfactionwithyourcareerplanning.Yourresultsaredisplayedgraphicallyandverbally.

• SelfAssessment(Self)Itisimportantthatyouareactivelyinvolvedinselfassessmentbecauseitisthemostimportantandthefirststepincareerplanning.

• CareerExploration(Exploration)Itisimportantthatyouareactivelyinvolvedincareerexplorationbecauseitwillhelpyoutodiscoverandunderstandcareeroptions.

• CareerPlanningSatisfaction(Planning)Yourcareerplanningsatisfactionreflectshowreadyyouaretoengageincareerplanningactivities.Obstaclesthatcouldinterferewithyourabilitytoplancouldbefinancial,familyresponsibilities,etc.IfyourPlanningscoreislowitwouldbewiseforyoutoseekhelpfromacareercounselortohelpyouresolveyourplanningconcerns.

Whatsupportservicesareavailabletoyouatyourcollegetoassistyouwithcareerplanningreadiness?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Whatactionstepswillyoutaketoincreaseyourscoresinyourcareerplanningstatusassessment?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMICSTRENGTHS

Whatisyouractionplantotakeadvantageofyouracademicstrengthsandaddressanyacademicweaknessesthatcouldimpactyoureducationplansandfuturecareer?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SELFASSESSMENT

SeveralselfassessmentsareavailabletoyouinFOCUS2CAREER.Theresultsofeachselfassessmentincludesoccupationsandsupportingmajorsatyourcollegethatmatchyourpersonalattributes.SelfAssessmentisanimportantfirststepinselectingamajor,choosinganoccupation,planningyourcareeranddoingajobsearch.Payattentiontothedescriptionsofyourpersonalattributesineachofyourselfassessments.Beingabletoarticulateanddiscussyourworkinterests,values,personalitytypeandskillstoapotentialemployerisanimportantpartofafruitfuljobsearch.

WorkInterestAssessment:TheFOCUS2CAREERworkinterestassessmentidentifiesandmatchesyourworkintereststooccupationsandsupportingmajorsatyourcollege.Thebargraphdisplayedinyourresultsshowsthestrengthofeachofyourworkinterests.

Historically,theassessmentofworkinterestshasbeenthefocalpointofthecareerplanningprocess.TheworkinterestassessmentmeasuresyourselfreportedcareerinterestsusinganationallyrecognizedstandardizedinstrumentusingtheRIASECscalesdevelopedbyJohnHolland. Inthesamplegraphbelowthetop3workinterestsareInvestigate,Realistic,andArtistic(IRA).Aperson’stop3workinterestsmakeuptheirHollandCodeandcanbematchedtooccupationsthathavesimilarHollandCodes.

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SAMPLEWORKINTERESTPROFILE

Theaveragescoreforeachworkinterestisalsoshownasanumberrangingfrom0to100where

0=LowInterest50=ModerateInterest100=HighInterest

ThedescriptionsbelowthebargraphsummarizeeachoftheHollandCodeworkinterests

Investigative:"TheThinkers"Peopleintheinvestigativecategoryoftenhaveastrongdesiretounderstandcauseandeffect,andsolvepuzzlesandproblems.Theyoftenworkinjobsthatarescientificinnature.Theirworkofteninvolvestheanalysisofdata,usingformulas,graphsandnumbers.Investigativetypestypicallyprefertoworkindependently,andwithminimumsupervision.Peopleinthiscategorygenerallyenjoyusingcomputers,solvingmathproblems,interpretingformulas,andthinkingabstractly.

Enterprising:"ThePersuaders"Peopleintheenterprisingcategoryoftenpreferactivitiessellingandpromoting.Theyenjoyinfluencingothersandbeinginaleadershipposition.Theyoftenusetheirskillstoinfluenceothers.Theyoftenlikecompetitiveactivitiesandareoftenself-confident,talkativeandenergetic.Theygenerallyenjoydiscussingpolitics,sellingandpromoting,havingpowerandstatus,givingtalksandspeeches,andleadinggroups.

Realistic:"TheDoers"Peopleintherealisticcategoryoftenprefertoworkwithobjectsandthings.Theyarelikelytoenjoycreatingthingswiththeirhandsandusingtoolsandmachines.Somepreferlarge,powerfulmachinesliketractors,whileotherspreferprecisionmachinerysuchasX-rayorelectronicequipment.Peopleinthiscategorygenerallyenjoybeingphysicallyactive,repairingequipment,rebuildingcars,fixingelectricalthings,solvingmechanicalproblems,playingsports,workingoutdoors,andusingtheirhands.

Social:"TheHelpers"Peopleinthesocialcategoryprefertoworkwithothers.Theytendtobehighlyverbal,expressthemselveswell,andgetalongwellingroups.Socialtypestypicallyprefertheteamapproachtoproblemsolving.Peopleinthesocialcategoryoftendescribethemselvesascooperative,friendly,andunderstanding.Theygenerallyenjoyteaching,caringforothers,volunteering,mediatingdisputes,meetingnewpeople,andworkingingroups.

Artistic:"TheCreators"Peopleintheartisticcategoryprefertobeexpressive.Theyliketheopportunitytocreatenewthingsandbeinnovative.Theytypicallydonotlikestructureorconformity.Theyprefertousetheirimaginationandbecreative.Peopleinthiscategory

TheHollandCodeforthissampleisIRA(Investigative,Realistic,andArtistic)

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generallyenjoyactivitiessuchas:writing,poetry,photography,designing,singing,acting,dancing,painting,attendingtheatersandexhibits,andreading.

Conventional:"TheOrganizers"Peopleintheconventionalcategoryoftenpreferorderly,systematicwork.Worktasksoftenincludekeepingrecords,andorganizingwrittenandnumericalmaterialsaccordingtoaplan.Theyliketoseethingsrunefficientlyandsmoothly,whichmeanstheywillpayattentiontoadministrativedetails.Theygenerallyenjoykeepingaccuraterecords,organizing,workingwithnumbers,andusingacomputer.

WhatisyourHollandCode?_____________

DescribethecharacteristicsofyourHollandCodetype(topthreeworkinterests)andthetypesofworkactivitiesthattypicallyappealtopeoplewiththeseworkinterests.

TopWorkInterest(descriptionandtypeofworkfoundappealing)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SecondWorkInterest(descriptionandtypeofworkfoundappealing)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ThirdWorkInterest(descriptionandtypeofworkfoundappealing)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PersonalityAssessment

TheFOCUS2CAREERpersonalityassessmentutilizesCarlJung’stheoryofpersonalityandtheresearchinsightssurroundingtheuseoftheMyers-BriggsTypeIndicator.Theassessmentmeasureshowapersonlikestofocushis/herattention,preferstoacquireinformation,handleinformation,lookattheworld,andmakedecisions.Yourpersonalitytypeismatchedtooccupationsandsupportingmajorsatyourcollege.

Describethecharacteristicsofyourpersonalityandthetypesofworkactivitiesthattypicallyappealtoyourpersonalitytype.

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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SkillsAssessment

Askillisdefinedastheabilitytoperformanactivityproficiently.Askillcanbeacquiredthrougheducation,workexperienceandjobtrainingorcanbetheresultofanaturalability.Yourskillsarematchedtooccupationsandthemajorsatyourcollegethatwillsupporttheoccupations.

Describeyourtopthreeskillsandthetypesofworkthatusetheseskills.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ValuesAssessment

Anassessmentofyourvaluesenablesyoutofocusonwhatisimportanttoyouinworkandyourlife.Yourvaluesarematchedtooccupationsthatyoumayfindsatisfying,basedonthesimilaritybetweenyourworkvalues(suchasachievement,autonomy,andconditionsofwork)andtheworkvaluesassociatedwithvariousoccupations.

Describeyourtopthreeworkvaluesandthetypesofworkthatencompassyourworkvalues.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LeisureInterestAssessment

Theleisureinterestassessmentidentifiesyourtopleisureinterestsandmatchesyourleisureintereststooccupationsandsupportingmajorsatyourcollege.

Describeyourtopthreeleisurepreferencesandhowtheyrelatetooccupations.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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CombiningAssessmentstoNarrowDownYourResults

Combineyourassessmentresultstocreatealistofbest-fitoccupations.

Activity:IdentifyandExploreOccupationsthatOccurinMultipleAssessments

CompleteseveraloftheFOCUS2assessments.ClickonCombiningAssessmentsandselecttheassessmentsthatyouwishtocombine.Printtheoccupationlistthatisgeneratedbycombiningtheassessmentsofyourchoiceandthenexaminethelist.

• Circletheoccupationsthatimmediatelyappealtoyou• Underlinetheoccupationsthatsurpriseyoubutsoundinteresting• PutanXthroughtheoccupationsthatdonotappealtoyou

Examinethedetailsoftheoccupationsthatyouhavecircledandunderlined.

Whatdidyoulearnfromthisexercise?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whatareyourtop3favoriteoccupations?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPLORETHEPOSSIBILITIES:

FOCUS2CAREERoffersavarietyoftoolstohelpyouexploreoccupationsandmajors:

• UseWhatCanIDowithaMajorIn…?tolearnaboutthemajorsofferedatyourcollegeandtheoccupationsassociatedwiththosemajorsandsavethosemajorsthatappealtoyou

• ExploreAnyAreaofStudy:Clickonanyareaofstudytolearnaboutthespecializationareasassociatedwithanymajorareaofstudy

• ExploreAnyOccupation:Exploreover1,000occupations

• ExploreOccupationsByJobFamily:Exploreoccupationsassociatedwithanyindustryarea

• UseCompareAnyTwoOccupationsontheFOCUS2CAREERdashboardtocompareandcontrastoccupations

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YOURSAVEDOCCUPATIONS:

OngoingexplorationofoccupationsusingtheFOCUS2CAREERsystemwillhelpyoutomakeinformeddecisionsaboutyourcareerandeducation.Reviewyoursavedoccupationsinyourcareerportfolio.Besuretoexaminethejobduties,employmentoutlook,advancementopportunities,earnings,areasofstudyandrequiredcredentials,etc.associatedwithanoccupationofinteresttoyou.Youcanlinktoprofessionalassociationsthatpeopleinthatfieldaremembers.

List5-10ofyourfavoriteoccupationsthatyouhavesaved:

• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________

Y___orN____Areyourpreferredoccupationsinalignmentwithyourassessmentresults?

Y___orN____Areyourworkinterestsagoodmatchwiththeworkinterestsofyourfavoriteoccupations?(Toanswerthisquestion,clickanoccupationnameandexaminethatoccupation’sInterestProfile.IfyouhavecompletedtheWorkInterestAssessment,thegraphwillcompareyourHollandCodetotheHollandCodeforthatoccupation)

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Whatquestions/commentsdoyouhaveabouttheoccupation(s)youfindappealing?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Doyourpreferredoccupationssupportyourworkinterests,personalitypreferences,skillsandvalues?Whyaretheseoccupationsagoodfitforyou?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

YOURSAVEDMAJORS

Reviewyoursavedmajorsinyourcareerportfolio.ClickonMakeTopChoicetoidentifythemajorthatismostappealingtoyou.

Listyourtopchoicemajorand2-3othermajorsthatyoufindappealing:

§ ____________________________________________§ ____________________________________________§ ____________________________________________§ ____________________________________________

Y___orN____Doyoufindthesubjectmatterofyourpreferredmajorsappealing?

Y___orN____Doyoufindtheoccupationsassociatedwithyourpreferredmajorsappealing?

Y___orN____Doyourpreferredmajorsmatchthemajorsdisplayedinyourselfassessmentresults?

Y___orN____Doyourpreferredmajorssupportyourcareergoalsandfavoriteoccupations?

Whatquestions/commentsdoyouhaveaboutthemajor(s)youareconsidering?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Doyourpreferredmajorssupportyourpersonalitypreferences,careerinterests,skillsandvalues?Whyarethesemajorsagoodfitforyou?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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HELPFROMCAREERCOUNSELORS/ADVISORS:COPINGWITHOBSTACLESANDCONCERNS

Occasionally,youmayforeseesomepossiblebarriersthatcouldinterferewithyourabilitytoplanyourcareeroryoumayhavesomeconcernsaboutyourcurrentcareerandeducationplans.Youshoulddiscussyourconcernswithacareercounselororanadvisor.

WriteanXnexttoanyofthefollowingyouneedhelpwith:

____Decidingonamajorandcareerfield

____Takingthenextstepstoimplementyourcareerplan

____Makingplansforfurthereducation/training

____Other(pleaseelaborate)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Placean“X”nexttotheitemsthatapplytoyou:

____ Ineedmoredetailsaboutoccupations,majors,educationrequirements,etc.

____ Myselfassessmentworkinterestsscoresareloworarenotverydifferentfromeachother.

____ Theoccupationsthatmatchmyselfassessmentsaretoolimited.

____ Ihavetoomanyoccupationsthatappealtome.Ineedhelpnarrowingdownmychoices.

____ Ithinkthecoursesinmypreferredmajormightbetoodifficultforme.

____ Ineedsomeadviceaboutapersonalsituationaffectingmycareerdecisionmaking.

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_____Otherpeoplehavetoapproveorsupportmyplans.

_____Iamexperiencingfinancialproblems.

_____Other?(Describebelow)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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CREATEAPLANTOACHIEVEYOUROBJECTIVES

Toassuresystematicprogresstowardyourgoals,itishelpfultohavean“ActionPlan”.CompletetheTAKEACTIONontheFOCUS2CAREERDashboardtorecordyoureducationplans,professionaldevelopmentplansandexperiencesyouwillpursuetosupportyourcareerdevelopment.Asyoubuildyourcareerdevelopmentplan,youwillwanttoreflectuponyourlongtermgoalsandtheimmediatestepsyouwilltakeintheshorttermtoachieveyourgoals.Followthesestepstohelpyouworktowardsyourgoals:

• Step1:Defineyourgoal

• Step2:Listspecificactionsteps

• Step3:Identifyresourcesthatcanhelpyouachieveyourgoal

• Step4:Setdeadlines

• Step5:Identifyobstacles

• Step6:Adaptasneeded

ActionPlantoDoList

• Dependingonthemajor(s)youareconsidering,youmayneedtocompletetimesensitivemattersrelatedtocourseworkinyourmajor,furthereducation,certifications,etc.Findoutwhatthesedeadlinesareandplanahead.

• Mapoutthecoursesyouwilltake(andinwhatsequence)duringyouryearsatcollegeinyourpreferredmajor.Besuretoincludeprerequisitecoursesaswell.Includeapproximatedatesandthesupportservicesyouwillutilizeatyourcollegetohelpyouwithyourcourseplanandaddressanyacademicneeds.

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• Meetwiththeprofessorswhoteachcoursesinyourpreferredmajortolearnaboutcareerandinternshipopportunities.Seektheirexpertadvicetolearnhowtosucceedinyourmajoranddesiredcareerfield.

• Talkwithstudentsmajoringinthefieldofstudyyouareconsideringtolearnfromtheirexperiences.

• Readthebiographiesoftheprofessorswhoteachcoursesinthemajorfieldofstudythatisofinteresttoyou.

• Findoutaboutjobshadowing,internships,externshipsandinformationalinterviewingopportunitiesinafieldofinteresttoyou.Takenoteoftheopportunitiesavailableandimportantdates.

• Conductinformationalinterviewswithlocalemployerstolearnabouttheirfieldofwork.Whatpositionsexistintheircompany?Whatcredentialsdotheyseekinacandidatebeingconsideredforemployment?

• Attendcareerfairs,industrypanels,andcompanyinformationsessions.

• Learnhowtomarketyourself.ReviewyourFOCUS2CAREERPortfolioassessmentresults.Whatareyourstrengths?Beabletodescribeyourworkinterests,personality,skillsandvaluesanddiscusswhyyourattributeswillbeanassettoapotentialemployer.

• Learnaboutemployersinacareerfieldofinteresttoyou.

• Talkwithpeopleemployedinoccupations/careerfieldsthatinterestyou.Findoutwhattheystudiedincollegeandwhatexperiencesgavethemacompetitiveedgeintheworldofwork.

• Volunteerortakeaparttimejobtogainexperienceinacareerareaofinteresttoyou.

• Isadditionaltrainingorgraduateschoolapartofyourlong-termeducationplans?Ifso,whatareyourplans?Seektheadviceofaprofessional/graduateschooladvisortoreviewyourplans.

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JOURNALINGEXERCISES

CareerPlanningReadinessJournalingExercises

• Reflectuponhowyourpersonalbackgroundandexperienceshaveinfluencedyourcareeraspirationsandchoiceofamajor.

• Describearecentaccomplishmentinyourlifeoronethatyoumightliketoachieveinthefuture.

• Whatwouldyouconsidertobeyourgreatestachievementinyourlifesofarandwhy?

• Reflectuponyourpastwork,volunteerorinternshipexperiences.Whatdidyoulearnfromtheseexperiencesthatcanhelpyouinyourdecisionsaboutyourfuturecareer?Whatqualitiesaremostimportanttoyouinyourfutureworkandcareer?

• Whatstepswillyoutaketoimproveyouroverallcareerplanningreadiness?(selfawareness,involvementincareerexplorationandcareerplanningsatisfaction)

SelfAssessmentsJournalingExercises

• Howwillyouapplywhatyouhavelearnedfromyourselfassessmentstoyourchoiceofamajorandyourcareerplans?

• Whichmajorsatyourcollegebestrelatetoyourinterests,personality,values,andskills?

• Doyourselfassessmentresultssupportyourchoiceofamajor?

• Doyourselfassessmentssupportyourcareerchoices?

• Didyourselfassessmentresultssuggestcareeroptionsthatyouhadnotpreviouslyconsidered?

• Howwillyourselfassessmentresultshelpyoutonarrowyourcareeroptions?

WorkInterestsJournalingExercises:

• Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourselfthroughyourworkinterestselfassessment?Howwilltheseinsightsbehelpfulinyourcareerexplorationandchoiceofamajor?

• Describethetypesofworkactivitiesyouwouldmostenjoyinanidealoccupation.

• Howwelldoyourworkinterestsfitwithyourcurrentcareeraspirations?

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PersonalityJournalingExercises:

• Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourselfthroughyourpersonalityselfassessment?Howwilltheseinsightsbehelpfulinyourcareerexplorationandchoiceofamajor?

• Describetheworkenvironmentyouwouldmostenjoyinanidealoccupation.

• Howwelldoesyourpersonalityfitwithyourcurrentcareeraspirations?

SkillsJournalingExercises:

• Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourselfthroughyourskillsselfassessment?Howwilltheseinsightsbehelpfulinyourcareerexplorationandchoiceofamajor?

• Howwelldoyourskillsfitwithyourcurrentcareeraspirations?

ValuesJournalingExercises:

• Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourselfthroughyourvaluesselfassessment?Howwilltheseinsightsbehelpfulinyourcareerexploration?

• Examineafavoriteoccupation.Towhatextentwillyourtop3valuesbesatisfiedbythisoccupation?

• Howwelldoyourvaluesfitwithyourcurrentcareeraspirations?

LeisureInterestsJournalingExercises:

• Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourselfthroughyourleisureinterestselfassessment?Howwilltheseinsightsbehelpfulinyourcareerexplorationandchoiceofamajor?

• Describethetypeofworkyouwouldmostenjoybasedonyourleisureinterests.

ACTIONPLANJOURNALINGEXERCISES

Whyisitimportanttoreviseyourcareerplansthroughoutyourlife?

Whatisthevalueofexploringalternativecareerpossibilities?

Reflectonthequestion,“WhyamIenrolledincollege?”

Howhaswhatyoulearnedaboutyourselfthroughyourselfassessmentsaffectedyourchoiceofmajorandcareergoals?

Reviewthecoursesandcertificationsassociatedwithyourpreferredmajor.Whatstudentservicesandfacultyadvisoryservicesareavailabletoassistyouwithyouracademicneeds?

Identifyanimportantaspectofthecareerplanningprocessanddescribeanactionyouwilltaketoincorporateitintoyourcareerplanning.

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CONCLUSION

InformedDecisionMaking:ContinuetouseFOCUS2CAREERasanongoingresourcetohelpyoumakeinformeddecisionsaboutyourcareerandeducation.

• Knowthatitisyourpersonalresponsibilitytochartyourcourse.Nooneelsecandoitforyou.

• Seektheexpertadviceofcareercounselors,advisors,instructors,andemployerstofacilitateyourprogressinthecareerplanningprocess.

• UnderstandyourFOCUS2CAREERresults.Reviewyourresults(summarizedinyourCareerandEducationResults)onyourownand/orwithyourcareercounselor.ReviewyourFOCUS2CAREERassessmentresultswhenwritingyourresume,coverlettersandplanningforinterviews.Knowwhyandbeabletodiscusshowyourinterests,personalitytype,valuesandskillsareanassetintheworldofwork.

• ContinueyourcareerandeducationexplorationusingFOCUS2CAREER.Explorationofoccupationsisakeycomponentofcareerplanning.

• Createanactionplantoachieveyourobjectives:Planyourcoursework,mapoutyourobjectivesandplanforinternships,volunteerwork,jobshadowingandotheractivitiesthatwillsupportyourcareerandeducationdecisionmaking.

• Bereadyforchangewithcareergoals,strategyandoptionsbasedonyourinterests,personality,valuesandskills.

• CareerPlanningisanongoingprocessthroughoutallyourlifestages.Beproactiveandforwardlookingwithyourplanning,developnewskillsandbepreparedtomakechanges.

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