Career Exploration, Preparation, and Development Thriving in College & Beyond Chapter 12: Finding a Path to Your Future Profession

Strategies for Career Exploration & Preparation Awareness of yourself Awareness of your career options Awareness of what career options provide the best “fit” for you Awareness of the keys steps and strategies needed to reach your career goal

Step 1: Awareness of Self Interests Talents Needs Values

vocation comes from the Latin “vocatio” Salary is important, but you should consider your special abilities, what you’re passionate about, and what is meaningful to you. vocation comes from the Latin “vocatio” “a calling”

Personal Needs to Consider, Box 12.1 Autonomy Affiliation Achievement Recognition Sensory Stimulation

Step 2: Awareness of Career Options Career Information Resources, see pg. 309 Career Planning & Development Workshops https://www.elac.edu/currentstudents/studentservices/jobplacement/ Career Development Courses

Information Interviews Shadowing & Externships (Career Observation) Internships

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Programs Volunteer Work or Service Learning Part-Time Work

Key characteristic of goal setting– set goals that are __________________. Getting firsthand experience in the work setting gives you a realistic view before you commit to that field as your career goal.

Five Advantages of Experiencing Work in Real-Life Work Settings Get a realistic picture Test your interests and skills Strengthen your resume Acquire contacts Network with employers

Step 3: The Best “Fit” for You

Step 4: Awareness of the Major Steps Needed to Reach your Career Goal Self-Monitoring A Learning Journal Box 12.3: skills & action verbs Box 12.4 personal attributes & adjectives

Self- Marketing Course Transcript Co-Curricular Experiences

Personal Resume (Box 12.5) Portfolio Letters of Reference/Recommendation (Box 12.6)

Cover Letter (Sample Template) To whom it may concern, Paragraph 1 Who you are & where you go to school Job you’re applying for, how you found the listing & decided to apply Paragraph 2 Print out the posting & highlight key words; use them in your paragraph Describe how your experiences meet the challenges of the job Paragraph 3 Describe your personal traits & how they make you a great candidate Include short, specific examples that illustrated each trait Sincerely,