Welcome! Academic Strategies Unit 8 Seminar

General Questions & Weekly News Please share your weekly news… and general questions.

Weekly Reminders & Announcements Announcements Current course average Gradebook Goal: No ZERO’s! Communication is KEY

Final Assignment Reminders Unit 7/8 Interview: Tuesday, October 18 th ! Unit 8 Discussion: Tuesday, October 18 th ! Unit 9 Career Action Plan: Tuesday, Oct. 25 th ! Unit 9 Discussion: Tuesday, Oct. 25 th ! Unit 10 Writing Assignment: Tuesday, Nov. 1 st ! 240 Total Course Points – 25%

Motivation What will motivate YOU to complete your degree at Kaplan and reach your career goals?

Unit 8 Assignments Complete the Unit 8 Reading Career Connections O*Net Online KU Career Resources Mind Tools Website Optimal Resume Attend the Unit 8 Discussion CompleteUnit 7/8 Interview Assignment

Career Connections As you plan for your careers or your career changes, there are many steps to keep in mind. Unit 8 is designed to help you with the career planning process by providing you with all kinds of valuable career-related information. Use this week as an opportunity to develop even clearer career goals for yourselves.

Successful Career Planning I. Career goals need to be S.M.A.R.T. II. We need to be motivated to reach our career goals. III. We have to have a clear idea of our own values, interests, motivators and strengths as we set career goals.

S.M.A.R.T. Career Goals Why should career goals be S.M.A.R.T. goals? Specific * Measurable Action-oriented * Realistic * Timed

Choosing the “Right” Career There are many OPTIONS to consider and many resources you can use to ensure that you make a SOUND choice. There are many elements that shape this decision (values, skills and abilities, geographic location, just to name a few).

Resources to help YOU! Internet (O*Net) Networking KU Career Resources Friends, family members Classifieds

Unit 8 Career Resources O*Net Online: Find Occupations Skills Search Career Skills – Problem Solving Skills: KU Career Resources Career Guidance Career Options Resumes & Cover Letters (Optimal Resume) Interviews & Job Search

KU Career Resources…it’s a click away!

Let’s take a field trip… 1. Go to your KU Campus homepage. 2. Under the University Info tab on the top tool bar click Career Resources. 3. Start searching!! It’s that easy.

KU Career Resources Career Development Track Career Assessment Resumes, Cover Letters, Portfolios Interviewing & Networking Tips Career Resources Library

OptimalResume.com Offered in collaboration with KU Career Resources – provides additional help with resumes, cover letters, portfolio building. New user to Optimal Resume? Click on the link to go directly to the Optimal Resume website: Click on the "Never Been Here Before? Create New Account" link and follow the instructions.

Let’s Tour the O*Net OnLine MY NEXT MOVE I want to be a... Key Words: “manage an office” Compensation & Benefits Managers Financial Managers, Branch or Department

Critical Element? With all of these amazing resources at your fingertips, there’s still one critical element we haven’t touched on yet. What is that element?

Aim for a Perfect “FIT” The more you understand yourself, your motivations and your values, the better equipped you will be to set career goals that will really "fit" you.

Questions?

The Case of Minh Minh has been working as a retail clerk since high school. She knows the inventory well and likes her boss and the customers who come in regularly to purchase from her. Her income is above minimum wage and is almost enough to cover the cost of living, so she has been rather satisfied - until recently. You see, Minh is planning to get married next year. She knows that this life change means her responsibilities will increase, and so she has chosen to go to college and increase her job prospects as well. She has chosen Business as her major. The first term has been going well, but in week 8, Minh's boss asks her to work extra hours.

Let’s Discuss Question 1: How is Minh's current job beneficial to her ultimate career goals? Question 2: How would setting more specific career goals help Minh make decisions? Question 3: What general advice would you give Minh to encourage her to complete the quarter and continue in school?

How clear are your career goals right now? Rate your clarity level on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the clearest)!

Goal-setting & Change Sometimes, no matter how much critical thinking we use, we end up deciding that we have set the wrong goals for ourselves. What should you do if this happens?

RETHINK!!!!! REEVALUATE!!! MODIFY!!! = Critical Thinking!!!

Ongoing Process of Change The whole process of career planning should involve change. The more you learn about yourself and your strengths, the more changes you should make. The more you learn about the opportunities available to you, the more changes you should make.

“CHANGE is essential. This is where I am--- this is where I want or need to be. What ACTION am I willing to take to reach that point? Take time to assess and make adjustments to strategies and goals." SOURCE: Adapted from: Sowing the Seeds of Success, A Learning Activities Handbook, compiled and edited by Suzanne Skinner and Carolyn DeLecour; Ellis,Dave, The Master Student, 1985, and Judson, The Search for Solutions, 1980.

Don't be afraid to change and grow. Think of yourself as a WORK IN PROGRESS!!

Final Questions? Thanks for attending…