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Career & Education Planning Workbook
Career Dimensions, Inc.
All Rights Reserved, 2016
Career Dimensions, Inc., P.O. Box 998, Center Harbor, NH 03226
www.focus2career.com
Career
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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,majorsandtrainingprogramsarebestforyou.
4. Planacareerandeducationalpathwaythatwillsupportyourpersonalneedsandgoals.
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WHENSHOULDYOUUSEFOCUS2CAREER?
UseFOCUS2CAREERthroughoutyourcollegeyearsandasanalumnus.FOCUS2CAREERcanbeusedindifferentwaysthroughoutallstagesofyoureducationandcareerplanningaccordingtoyourneeds.
CareerPlanningfor1stand2ndYearStudents:
• Understandthecareerplanningprocess
• LearnaboutyourselfthroughselfassessmentsbyusingFOCUS2CAREER
• Takeexploratoryclassestolearnaboutthemajorsatyourcollegethatmatchyourinterestsandsupportyourcareergoals
• Explorecareerfieldsandoccupationsthatappealtoyou
• Consultwithyourcareercounselors,academicadvisors,mentors
• Learnaboutandplanforactivitiesthatwillsupportyourdecisionmakingandcareerdevelopment(internships,externships,volunteeropportunities,parttimejobs,studyabroad,etc.)
CareerPlanningUpperClassmanandAlumniStudents:
• Continuedcareerexplorationandawareness,useFOCUS2CAREERasanongoingresource
• Supportyourcareerdevelopmentthroughinternships,volunteering,cooperativelearning,leadershiproles,etc.
• Consultwithyourcareercounselors,academicadvisors,mentors
• Makecareerplans,developyourresumeandcoverletters,network,developarapportwithfacultyinyourmajor,planforlettersofrecommendation,developinterviewingskills,conductinformationalinterviews,etc.
• Planforadvancededucationandtraining,entrancetests,certifications,etc.
• Makeinformeddecisionsaboutyourmajorandcareer
HOWMUCHTIMEWILLITTAKEMETOUSEFOCUS2CAREER?
Typically,thetimespentbystudentsthefirsttimetheyuseFOCUS2CAREERrangesfrom1-2hours.Ofcourse,youcanspendasmuchtimeasyouneed.MyCareerPlanningReadiness&SelfAssessmentsofFOCUS2CAREERcanusuallybecompletedinapproximately30-45minutes.FOCUS2CAREERhasuptodate,detailedinformationaboutover1,000differentoccupationchoicesandmajors.AgoodstrategyistouseFOCUS2CAREER,thenthinkaboutyourresultsanddiscussyourideaswithyourcareercounselorandacademicadviserandthenreturntouseFOCUS2CAREERasanongoingresource.YoucanuseFOCUS2CAREERthroughoutyouracademicyearsandasanalumnus.
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SETTINGUPYOURFOCUS2CAREERACCOUNT
HOWTOSETUPYOURACCOUNTANDLOGBACKINTOFOCUS2CAREER
NewUsers:
Createyouraccountbylinkingtoyourcollege’sFOCUS2CAREERselfregistrationpage._________________________________________________
Yourcollege’sAccessCode:_______________
ReturningUsers:
YoucanlogbackintoyourFOCUS2CAREERaccountwithyourusernameandpasswordatanytime.
Ifyouforgetyourusernameand/orpassword,gototheFOCUS2CAREERloginpageandclickonthelinkthatsays“Ifyouhaveforgottenyourusernameorpassword,clickhere”.
THINGSTOKEEPINMIND
• UseFOCUS2CAREERonanydevice,includingallcomputers,phones,tables,etc.(Noappstoload).
• FOCUS2CAREERalwayssavesyourresults.
• UseFOCUS2CAREERasoftenasyouwish.
• Youcanchangeyourmindaboutearlierchoices,repeatasectionandexplorenewoptions.
• Yourresultsarestoredonlineandarealwaysavailabletoyouandyourcareercounselor/adviser.
• UsethevariousfeaturesofFOCUS2inanyorder.
• Besuretosavetheoccupationsandmajorsthatmostappealtoyou.
• Seektheexpertadviceofyourcareercounselortoenhanceyourcareerplanning.
AsnapshotoftheMainMenuofFOCUS2CAREERappearsonthenextpage.ThelayoutoftheFOCUS2CAREERdashboardmirrorsthestepsofthecareerplanningprocess.MoststudentsstartatthetopofthedashboardandthenworkdownthroughtheFOCUS2CAREERtools.
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INTRODUCTIONTOTHECAREERPLANNINGPROCESS
THECAREER&EDUCATIONPLANNINGPROCESS
FrankJ.Minor,Ph.D. AssociateProfessor,Emeritus,SaintAnselmCollege,NH
CareerDimensions,Inc.,Copyright©2012,2016
WHYCAREERPLANNINGISNECESSARY
Intoday'srapidlychangingworld,newcareerpathsareconstantlyunfolding,traditionalonesarebeingchangedandshiftsaretakingplaceinoccupationskillsandeducationalrequirements.Thesechangesarearesultofnewtechnology,modificationsinorganizationaldesignandthetrendtowardsglobalbusinessoperations.Withallthesechanges,youmightask"Whatisthepointofplanningaheadbydevelopingacareerplan?"Thepointistobereadyforchangewithasetofcareergoals,strategyandoptionsbasedonyourinterests,personality,valuesandskills.Onceyouhaveaplan,youwillbeequippedtomanageyourcareerandtakeadvantageofchangesintheeconomyandjobmarketratherthanbecomingavictimofchange.
WHOISRESPONSIBLEFORPLANNINGANDMANAGINGYOURCAREER?
Planningyourcareeristotallyyourresponsibility.Itisuptoyoutodotheplanningandtakethenecessaryactionstoobtaintheeducationandtrainingthatwillsupportyourcareerplans.However,youcangethelp.Forexample,youradviserorcareercounselorcanadviseyouabout
• 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.Theplancanserveasareferencethatyouandyouradviserscanmonitorandadjustasneeded.
SEEKINGEXPERTADVICE:CAREERCOUNSELING
InconjunctionwithusingFOCUS2CAREER,youmaywanttomeetwithacareercounselor,mentororadviser.
Bepreparedtosummarizeandaskquestionsconcerning:
• Yourcareerrelatedinterests,values,personalityandabilities.
• Yourpresentoccupational,educationalandcollege/traininggoalsandplans.
• Responsibilitiesorobstaclesthatareinterferingwithyourcareerandcollege/trainingdecisionmaking.
• Yourlifeplan,lifestyledesiresandstrategytoachieveyourgoals.
Yourcareeradvisercangiveyouideasandinformationtohelpyou:
• 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)Itisimportantthatyouareactivelyinvolvedinself-assessmentbecauseitisthemostimportantandthefirststepincareerplanning.
• CareerExploration(Exploration)Itisimportantthatyouareactivelyinvolvedincareerexplorationbecauseitwillhelpyoutodiscoverandunderstandcareeroptions.
• CareerPlanningSatisfaction(Planning)Yourcareerplanningsatisfactionreflectshowreadyyouaretoengageincareerplanningactivities.Obstaclesthatcouldinterferewithyourabilitytoplancouldbefinancial,familyresponsibilities,etc.IfyourPlanningscoreislowitwouldbewiseforyoutoseekhelpfromacareercounselortohelpyouresolveyourplanningconcerns.
Whatsupportservicesareavailabletoyouatyourcollegetoassistyouwithcareerplanningreadiness?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Whatactionstepswillyoutaketoincreaseyourscoresinyourcareerplanningstatusassessment?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ACADEMICSTRENGTHS
Whatisyouractionplantotakeadvantageofyouracademicstrengthsandaddressanyacademicweaknessesthatcouldimpactyoureducationplansandfuturecareer?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SELF-ASSESSMENT
SeveralSelfAssessmentsareavailabletoyouinFOCUS2CAREER.Theresultsofeachselfassessmentincludesoccupationsandsupportingmajorsatyourcollegethatmatchyourpersonalattributes.SelfAssessmentisanimportant,firststepinselectingamajor,choosinganoccupation,planningyourcareeranddoingajobsearch.Payattentiontothedescriptionsofyourpersonalattributesineachofyourselfassessments.Beingabletoarticulateanddiscussyourworkinterests,values,personalitytypeandskillstoapotentialemployerisanimportantpartofafruitfuljobsearch.
WorkInterestAssessment:TheFOCUS2CAREERworkinterestassessmentidentifiesandmatchesyourworkintereststooccupationsandsupportingmajorsatyourcollege.Thebargraphdisplayedinyourresultsshowsthestrengthofeachofyourworkinterests.
Historically,theassessmentofworkinterestshasbeenthefocalpointofthecareerplanningprocess.Theworkinterestassessmentmeasuresyourself-reportedcareerinterestsusinganationallyrecognizedstandardizedinstrumentusingtheRIASECscalesdevelopedbyJohnHolland. Inthesamplegraphbelowthetop3workinterestsareInvestigate,Realistic,andArtistic(IRA).Aperson’stop3workinterestsmakeuptheirHollandCodeandcanbematchedtooccupationsthathavesimilarHollandCodes.
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SAMPLEWORKINTERESTPROFILE
Theaveragescoreforeachworkinterestisalsoshownasanumberrangingfrom0to100where
0=LowInterest50=ModerateInterest100=HighInterest
ThedescriptionsbelowthebargraphsummarizeeachoftheHollandCodeworkinterests
WhatisyourHollandCode?_____________
TheHollandCodeforthissampleisIRA(Investigative,Realistic,andArtistic)
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DescribethecharacteristicsofyourHollandCodetype(topthreeworkinterests)andthetypesofworkactivitiesthattypicallyappealtopeoplewiththeseworkinterests.
TopWorkInterest(descriptionandtypeofworkfoundappealing)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SecondWorkInterest(descriptionandtypeofworkfoundappealing)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ThirdWorkInterest(descriptionandtypeofworkfoundappealing)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PersonalityAssessment
TheFOCUS2CAREERpersonalityassessmentutilizestheJungtheoryofpersonalityandtheresearchinsightssurroundingtheuseoftheMyers-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.Printtheoccupationlistthatisgeneratedbycombiningtheassessmentsofyourchoiceandexaminethelist.
o Circletheoccupationsthatimmediatelyappealtoyouo Underlinetheoccupationsthatsurpriseyoubutsoundinterestingo PutanXthroughtheoccupationsthatdonotappealtoyou.
Examinethedetailsoftheoccupationsthatyouhavecircledandunderlined.
Whatdidyoulearnfromthisexercise?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Listyourfavoriteoccupations.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EXPLORETHEPOSSIBILITIES:
FOCUS2CAREERoffersavarietyoftoolstohelpyouexploreoccupationsandmajors:
• UseWhatCanIDowithaMajorIn…?tolearnaboutthemajorsofferedatyourcollegeandtheoccupationsassociatedwiththosemajors.Saveanymajorsthatappealtoyou.
• ExploreAnyAreaofStudy:Clickonanyareaofstudytolearnaboutthespecializationareasassociatedanymajorareaofstudy
• ExploreAnyOccupation:Exploreover1,000occupations
• ExploreOccupationsByJobFamily:Exploreoccupationsassociatedwithanyindustryarea.
• UseCompareAnyTwoOccupationsontheFOCUS2CAREERdashboardtocompareandcontrast2occupations.
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YOURSAVEDOCCUPATIONS:
OngoingexplorationofoccupationsusingtheFOCUS2CAREERsystemwillhelpyoutomakeinformeddecisionsaboutyourcareerandeducation.Reviewyoursavedoccupationsinyourcareerportfolio.Besuretoexaminethejobduties,employmentoutlook,advancementopportunities,earnings,areasofstudyandrequiredcredentials,etc.associatedwithanoccupationofinteresttoyou.Youcanlinktoprofessionalassociationsthatpeopleinthatfieldaremembers.
List5-10ofyourfavoriteoccupationsthatyouhavesaved:
• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________• ____________________________________________
Y___orN____Areyourpreferredoccupationsinalignmentwithyourassessmentresults?
Y___orN____Areyourworkinterestsagoodmatchwiththeworkinterestsofyourfavoriteoccupations?(Toanswerthisquestion,clickonanoccupationnameandexaminetheoccupation’sInterestProfile.IfyouhavecompletedtheWorkInterestAssessment,thegraphwillcompareyourHollandCodetotheHollandCodefortheoccupation.
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Whatquestions/commentsdoyouhaveabouttheoccupations(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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HELPFROMCOUNSELORS:COPINGWITHOBSTACLESANDCONCERNS
Occasionally,youmayforeseesomepossiblebarriersthatcouldinterferewithyourabilitytoplanyourcareeroryoumayhavesomeconcernsaboutyourcurrentcareerandeducationplans.Youshoulddiscussyourconcernswithacareercounselororanadviser.
Writean“X”nexttoanyAreasYouNeedHelpWith:
____Decidingonamajorandcareerfield
____Takingthenextstepstoimplementyourcareerplan
____Makingplansforfurthereducation/training
____Other(pleaseelaborate)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Placean“X”nexttotheitemsthatapplytoyou:
____ Ineedmoredetailsaboutoccupations,majors,educationrequirements,etc.
____ Myselfassessmentworkinterestsscoresareloworarenotverydifferentfromeachother.
____ Theoccupationsthatmatchmyselfassessmentsaretoolimited.
____ Ihavetoomanyoccupationsthatappealtome.Ineedhelpnarrowingdownmychoices.
____ Ithinkthecoursesinmypreferredmajormightbetoodifficultforme.
____ Ineedsomeadviceaboutapersonalsituationaffectingmycareerdecisionmaking.
_____Otherpeoplehavetoapproveorsupportmyplans.
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_____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,certificates,etc.Findoutwhatthesedeadlinesareandplanahead.
• Mapoutthecoursesyouwilltake(andinwhatsequence)duringyouryearsatcollegeinyourpreferredmajor.Besuretoincludeprerequisitecoursesaswell.Includeapproximatedatesandthesupportservicesyouwillutilizeatyourcollegetohelpyouwithyourcourseplanandaddressanyacademicneeds.
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• Meetwiththeprofessorswhoteachcoursesinyourpreferredmajortolearnaboutcareerandinternshipopportunities.Seektheirexpertadvicetolearnhowtosucceedinyourmajorandpreferredcareerfield.
• Talkwithstudentsmajoringinthefieldofstudyyouareconsideringtolearnfromtheirexperiences.
• Readthebiographiesoftheprofessorswhoteachcoursesinthemajorfieldofstudythatisofinteresttoyou.
• Findoutaboutjobshadowing,internships,externshipsandinformationalinterviewingopportunitiesinafieldofinteresttoyou.Takenoteoftheopportunitiesavailableandimportantdates.
• Conductinformationalinterviewswithlocalemployerstolearnabouttheirfieldofwork.Whatpositionsexistintheircompany?Whatcredentialsdotheyseekinacandidatebeingconsideredforemployment?
• Attendcareerfairs,industrypanels,andcompanyinformationsessions.
• Learnhowtomarketyourself.ReviewyourFOCUS2CAREERPortfolioassessmentresults.Whatareyourstrengths?Beabletodescribeyourworkinterests,personality,skillsandvaluesanddiscusswhyyourattributeswillbeanassettoapotentialemployer.
• Learnaboutemployersinacareerfieldofinteresttoyou.
• Talkwithpeopleemployedinoccupations/careerfieldsthatinterestyou.Findoutwhattheystudiedincollegeandwhatexperiencesgavethemacompetitiveedgeintheworldofwork.
• Volunteerortakeapart-timejobtogainexperienceinacareerareaofinteresttoyou.
• Isadditionaltrainingorgraduateschoolapartofyourlong-termeducationplans?Ifso,whatareyourplans?Seektheadviceofaprofessional/graduateschooladvisertoreviewyourplans.
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JOURNALINGEXERCISES
CareerPlanningReadinessJournalingExercises
• Reflectuponhowyourpersonalbackgroundandexperienceshaveinfluencedyourcareeraspirationsandchoiceofamajor.
• Describearecentaccomplishmentinyourlifeoronethatyoumightliketoachieveinthefuture.
• Whatwouldyouconsidertobeyourgreatestachievementinyourlifesofarandwhy?
• Reflectuponyourpastwork,volunteerorinternshipexperiences.Whatdidyoulearnfromtheseexperiencesthatcanhelpyouinyourdecisionsaboutyourfuturecareer?Whatqualitiesaremostimportanttoyouinyourfutureworkandcareer?
• Whatstepswillyoutaketoimproveyouroverallcareerplanningreadiness?(self-awareness,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,advisers,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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