Planning Your Career and Education
Career Research Project At this point in the class, students have assessed their personality type, learning style, interests and values and have given some thought to careers that match their personal characteristics. Have students do some research on a career suggested by the career assessment. A sample handout with an outline of the paper is located at the end of this section. The paper should include the following: Career Description Outlook for the Career Skills and Education Required Students can use the College Success Web site to research a career: http://www.cuyamaca.edu/collegesuccess/research.asp They can also use their college Career Center or Library. As an alternative to writing a paper on the career research, give students the option of preparing a PowerPoint presentation on the career that they have researched. Include career information as well as how the career matches personal characteristics such as personality, interests, values and learning style. Limit the presentation to 5-10 minutes. Guest Speakers This is a good opportunity to invite a guest speaker from the college Career Center to speak to the class. If you work in a community college, it is also a good time to have guest speakers from nearby four-year colleges to talk about transfer requirements. Educational Plan Assign students to do at least one semester of their educational plan with a counselor or academic advisor. Students may be able to do a complete plan if they schedule ahead and make an appointment during non-peak times between registration periods. It is difficult to complete an educational plan during busy times. Planning forms are located at the end of the chapter, or students can see a counselor or advisor and use any form that is provided.
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Decision-Making Group Exercise In small groups, have students complete “The Planful Decision Strategy” and “Practicing a Planful Decision” located at the end of the chapter in the print edition and at the end of this section for the Web edition. The Resume Assign students to complete a resume and cover letter as part of their course requirements. A worksheet and samples are provided in the textbook at the end of the chapter. They can choose to make the resume based on their current education and experience or make a resume for their “dream job” and invent the perfect resume. If students are inventing a resume, have them research courses they will take in order to include some of these skills on the resume. Inventing the perfect resume helps students to think about the future as well as learning resume skills. Interview Exercise Have students complete the “Interview Worksheet” located at the end of the chapter or included at the end of this section. Then have them pair off and ask each other the interview questions. The Royal Chocolate Factory Have students interview for the position of Sales Representative at The Royal Chocolate Factory. Divide the class into groups of four students in each group. Each group chooses a boss. The boss interviews the other 3 members of the group using the questions in the Interview Worksheet. Each boss reports to the class about whom they would hire and why. Answers from the boss are interesting: She answered all the questions quickly and confidently. He seemed more self-confident and looked me in the eye. I didn’t hire her because of her handshake. (From Carla Edwards, Instructor, Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA) American Idol Have students do mock interviews. Have them judged by panels that represent the characters Randy, Paula and Simon. Informational Interview Have students do an interview with a person in their career of interest and send him or her a thank you note. This interview can be used as a source of
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information for a career paper or can be used as an extra credit assignment. Ask students to turn in a list of questions asked with brief answers and a copy of the thank you note. (From Carla Edwards, Instructor, Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA) Interview Simulation Start with a job announcement or description. Choose an interview panel of five students. If your class is large, you may have more than one panel. Students then take turns being interviewed. Sample interview questions are provided in the text. Have a receptionist who welcomes students to the interview and stress the importance of making a good first impression with the receptionist. The class provides feedback first on what is good about the interview and then suggestions for improvement. Encourage students to come to class dressed appropriately for the interview. Students can also have a resume prepared and present it to the interview panel. You can add some humor to the simulation by assigning roles to the various interviewers. For example, assign one interviewer that discriminates against men or women. Some students can show up with improper attire or demonstrate the wrong way to do an interview. (Contributed by Mechelle Du”Monde, Instructor, Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA) Career Center Visits Arrange for your students to visit the Career Center to do career research either as a group or individually. Rate Your Skills for Success in the Workplace This exercise gives the students a way to think about skills important in the workplace using the Scans competencies described in the text. It is located at the end of the chapter and integrated into the Web edition. Students can summarize their workplace skills using “Analyze Your Workplace Skills” also located at the end of the chapter. Checklist for a Satisfying Career This exercise helps students to think about their ideal career and to make a good decision about a career. It is located at the end of the chapter and at the end of this section. For Online Classes: Online Discussion Questions
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How will the employment trends mentioned in this chapter affect your future career plans? What tips would you give your friend before he or she interviewed for a job that was really important?
Online Journal Entry/Assignment I am combining the journal and assignment for this chapter into one assignment worth 20 points. For this assignment, choose a career that interests you or one suggested by the career assessments done in this class. Answer these questions: 1. Describe the career. What are the typical job duties 2. What are your personality strengths that match this career? 3. How does this career match your interests on the Choices Planner Interest assessment? 4. What are some advantages and disadvantages of working in this career? 5. What is the pay and job outlook? 6. What are the educational requirements? 7. What interesting facts did you discover? To research your career, use at least 2 sources of information from the College Success Web site: http://www.cuyamaca.edu/collegesuccess/research.asp Please list the two sources of information that you used. Attach files of sample student work. Online Assignment: Educational Plan Since the above career research assignment takes some time to complete, I do the following assignment for the next chapter. Now that you have given some thought to your future career or major, the next step is to complete an educational plan. Having an educational plan helps you to be motivated, save time by taking the right courses and accomplish your goal as soon as possible. For this project, make a counseling appointment with me or any full time counselor. You can schedule your appointment by calling 619-6604429. Counseling is open late Monday and Thursday evenings until 7:00 pm and I work late on Thursdays. I would like to meet you and discuss your future plans. Please note that I have 70 students in my online class, so I may not be able to meet with all of you. If you are still undecided on a major, bring your personality profile from Do What You Are. To submit this assignment, create a Word document listing your major and transfer plans along with the courses you plan to take this summer and next fall. Include the name of the counselor you saw. If you have any difficulties completing this assignment, please let me know. Hope to see you soon.
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Online Assignment: Resume Since the above career research assignment takes some time to complete, I do the following assignment in a future chapter. Since the above career research assignment takes some time to complete, I do the following assignment for the next chapter. In place of doing a journal and an assignment for Chapter 11, please complete a resume for your ideal job. Assume that you have completed your bachelor's degree or other educational goal and you are ready to apply for that professional job. As a resource for this assignment, use the sample resume in this chapter. 2. This resume is designed for college students who may have less work history and places more emphasis on education. This resume is actually my son's resume. He was able to get a $60,000 job with it. I have revised this resume for my daughter who is a business major graduating this spring from SDSU. I have attached the file to this assignment. It is OK with me if you merely delete the information and add your own using the same format. You will need a college catalog to complete the Key Related Courses category. This is a good exercise for you to complete because it helps to look ahead at the courses you will be taking in the future. You can also be creative with the format if you want. Limit your resume to one page however. If you need help with the Key Related Courses section, visit our Career Center to look at college catalogs or make a counseling appointment and I can assist (619-660-4429). Save the file with your first initial, last name and resume. For example, mfralickresume Attach sample resume file. I have included this file at the end of this section Additional Classroom Handouts Note that most of these exercises are included in the print edition. They are included here as a supplement to the Web edition.
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Name _____________________________________ Date _________________
Resume Worksheet for Your Ideal Career
Use this worksheet to prepare a resume similar to the sample in the text. Assume that you have graduated from college and are applying for your ideal career.
1. What is the specific job title of your ideal job?
2. What are two or three qualifications you possess that would especially qualify you for this job? These qualifications can be listed under Highlights on your resume.
3.
List your degree or degrees, major, and dates of completion.
4. List five courses you will take to prepare for your ideal career. For each course, list some key components that would catch the interest of your potential employer. Use a college catalog to complete this section.
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5. List the skills you would need in each of these areas. Computer skills:
Technical or other job-related skills:
Personal skills related to your job objective:
6. List employment that would prepare you for your ideal job. Consider internships or part-time employment.
7.
What are your interests?
8.
What special achievements or awards do you have?
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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SARA STUDENT SAMPLE RESUME 123 College Ave.
San Diego, CA 92000
619-123-4567 sarastudent@aol.com ______________________________________________________________________ OBJECTIVE EDUCATION
Professional Position as a Financial Planner B.S. in Business Financial Services San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, May 2005 Certificate of Achievement in Business Administration Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA, June 2003 A.A. in University Transfer Studies, Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA, August 2003
KEY RELATED COURSES
Financial and Managerial Accounting: balance sheets, cash flows, income statements, time value of money Computer Information Systems: Microsoft word, excel, database, PowerPoint Business Law: corporations, partnerships and sole proprietors, contracts Macro and Micro Economics: markets, stock market, investments, monetary policies, foreign exchange, forecasting Statistics and Business Calculus Finance: return on assets and equity, time value of money, forecasting Management: ethics, globalization, technology, organization of tasks Marketing: customer satisfaction, e-commerce Personal Financial Planning: data gathering, cash flow, debts, goals and planning Estate Planning: trusts, conservatorships, planning Individual Insurance Management: life, health, property, liability Federal Taxation of Individuals: income, deductions, credits, social security taxes, and property transactions International Business Strategy: strategy design, implementation and control
EMPLOYMENT ACHIEVEMENTS SKILLS
Pizza Industry: assistant manager, cashier, customer service, delivery driver, daily and weekly reports, food orders, deposits Girl Scout Silver Award, Any High School Honor Graduate, Dean’s List Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges
Leadership, responsible, determined, hard working, goal-oriented, customer service skills, personable, excellent math skills
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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Name __________________________________ Date ___________________
Interview Worksheet
Answer the following questions to prepare for the interview for your ideal job. If you do not know what your ideal job is, pretend that you are interviewing for any good job. You may want to practice these questions with a classmate.
1. What can you tell us about yourself?
2.
Why are you leaving your present job?
3.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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4.
Tell us about a difficulty or problem that you solved on the job.
5.
Tell us about one of your achievements on the job.
6.
What do you like best about your work? What do you like least?
7.
Are there any questions that you would like to ask?
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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Name____________________________________ Date ___________________
Checklist for a Satisfying Career
Read each statement and think about your current career choice or the options you are considering. Place a checkmark next to the items that are true about your career choice. Before you begin, you may want to review the self-assessment exercises that you have completed in this book and as part of this course. My career choice (or tentative career choice) is ___________________
1.____ My career matches the natural preferences of my personality type. 2.____ This career matches my interests. I would enjoy doing this type of work. 3.____ This career will allow me to live the lifestyle that I want. 4.____ This career matches my values (what I think is important). 5.____ This career matches my skills, aptitudes, talents, intelligences, and learning style. 6.____ I have the skills necessary to be successful in this career or I am willing to obtain these skills. 7.____ This career provides the kind of salary I need to live the way I want. 8.____ This career has a positive outlook for the future. The career will exist in the future and there will likely be job openings in this area. 9.____ I am willing to complete the education or training required to enter this career. 10.____This career choice will help me to accomplish my lifetime goals.
Look at the items you have not checked above. Sometimes a career does not allow us to achieve everything we hope to do in our lives. Hobbies or recreational interests are important to satisfaction with life. Does your career choice give you the opportunity to pursue your hobbies and interests? Does it give you time for relaxation and recreation? Will you have time to spend with the people who are important in your life? Write your thoughts here.
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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Name _____________________________Date_________________________ Educational Planning Form One Semester Major _______________________________Student ID__________________ Class Section Course Title Course No. Days Times
Time
Mon
Tues
Weekly Class Grid Wed Thurs
Fri
Sat
Note: Include general education, preparation for the major and English and math classes if needed. Check to make sure you have met or cleared the course prerequisites.
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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Name _____________________________Date_________________________ Educational Planning Form (Semester) Major _______________________________Student ID__________________ Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer
Total Units Fall Semester
Total Units Spring Semester
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Total Units Summer
Total Units Comments:
Total Units
Total Units
Counselor Signature____________________________________________________
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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Name _____________________________Date_________________________ Educational Planning Form (Quarter) Major _______________________________Student ID__________________ Fall Winter Spring Summer
Total Units Fall
Total Units Winter
Total Units Spring
Total Units Summer
Total Units Fall
Total Units Winter
Total Units Spring
Total Units Summer
Total Units Fall
Total Units Winter
Total Units Spring
Total Units Summer
Total Units Comments:
Total Units
Total Units
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Counselor Signature____________________________________________________
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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Name ________________________________________ Date ______________ The Planful Decision Strategy
Read the following scenario describing a college student in a problem situation. Then, answer the questions that follow to practice the planful decision strategy. You may want to do this as a group activity with other students in the class.
Rhonda is an 18-year-old student who is trying to decide on her major. She was a good student in high school, earning a 3.4 grade point average. Her best subjects were English and American history. She struggled with math and science but still earned good grades in these subjects. While in high school she enjoyed being on the debate team and organizing the African American Club. This club was active in writing letters to the editor and became involved in supporting a local candidate for city council. Rhonda is considering majoring in political science and has dreams of eventually going to law school. Rhonda likes being politically involved and advocating for different social causes. The highlight of her life in high school was when she organized students to speak to the city council about installing a traffic light in front of the school after a student was killed trying to cross the street. The light was installed during her senior year. Rhonda’s family has always been supportive, and she values her family life and the close relationships in the family. She comes from a middle-income family that is struggling to pay for her college education. Getting a bachelor’s degree in political science and going to law school would take seven years and be very expensive. There is no law school in town, so Rhonda would have to move away from home to attend school. Rhonda’s parents have suggested that she consider becoming a nurse and attending the local nursing college. Rhonda could finish a bachelor’s degree in nursing in four years and could begin working part-time as a nurse’s aide in a short time. A cousin in the family became a nurse and found a job easily and is now earning a good income. The cousin arranged for Rhonda to volunteer this summer at the hospital where she works. Rhonda enjoys helping people at the hospital. Rhonda is trying to decide on her major. What should she do? 1. State the problem.
2.
Describe Rhonda’s values, hopes, and dreams.
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3.
What special interests, talents, or aptitudes does she have?
4. What further information would be helpful to Rhonda in making her decision?
5. What are the alternative decisions she could make and the pros and cons of each?
Alternative 1 Pros:
Cons:
Alternative 2 Pros:
Cons:
Alternative 3 (be creative!) Pros:
Cons:
Only Rhonda can choose what is best for her. If you were Rhonda, what would you do and why? Use a separate piece of paper, if necessary, to write your answer.
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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Due Date:
Thursday, Nov 14 If you need to be absent on the due date, e-mail your paper to me at marsha.fralick@gcccd.net
Point Value: Format: Content:
This is a major project worth 100 points. 3 pages, double-spaced, typed, #12 font
1. For the Career Research Paper, choose a career that interests you or one suggested by the career assessment done in the class. Answer these questions: Describe the career. What are the typical job duties Are certain personality types or skills required? What are some advantages and disadvantages of working in this career? What is the pay and job outlook? What are the educational requirements? What interesting facts did you discover? 2. To research your career, use at least 2 sources of information. You may use the Career Center to find information for this paper or the College Success Web Site at http://www.cuyamaca.edu/collegesuccess/research.asp 3. Include a bibliography listing the sources of your information. For computer sources, list the Web address and date accessed. 4. As one of your sources of information, you can also use an interview with a person in your career of interest.
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Name __________________________________Date _______________
Journal Entries from Chapter 9: Career and Education
1. What generation are you in and how might this affect your future?
2. How will changing technology affect your future?
3. How will new developments in biology affect your future?
4. Describe a dangerous opportunity that you have faced in your life.
(From College and Career Success by Marsha Fralick, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2005)
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