Module 8: Goal-Setting

Introduction: Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future of the world belongs to those who belief in the beauty of their dreams". To achieve our dreams, we need goals. Every task requires a goal. Whether it be running a race or looking for a job, goals remind us of what we are working toward. They also help us measure how close we are to getting there!

Objectives: In this lesson you will:

• Form a career goal.
• Choose the steps you must take to achieve your goal.

Activities: Print out this page.

1.Click on "File" in the toolbar on the top left of this screen (a drop-down menu will appear).
2. Click "Print" in the drop-down menu.
3. Click "OK" at the bottom right of the print box.

Using your printed worksheets as a guide, complete the following steps.

Now that you have discovered some things about yourself and a variety of occupations, the time has come for you to set some career objectives.

Why form career objectives?

• To help plan your future career.
• To tell employers what you can do for them.
• To focus your talents on employer's needs
• To narrow your focus to match your goals ( in line with your values, skills),
• The market is broad; you need direction to target your future career.

Please read these statements again. They are the key in understanding the importance of having career objectives.

Goal Setting includes the following 5 characteristics:

• Specific: What exactly am I trying to achieve?
• Measurable: How will you know that you've achieved it?
• Attainable: Can I reach this goal? Can I achieve it?
• Realistic: Am I choosing something I can actually complete? Ex: "I failed Biology, but would like to be a doctor". Think of areas which you can succeed in.
• Timely: Am I choosing something I can do at this moment? Ex: "I am 23 years old and I'd like to be manager of the accounting department. This is a long-term goal. However, you need smaller goals to get to this one.A better objective would be to simply get an entry level job in the accounting department.

Example of a goal: In 1 year, I will attain a job at a Minneapolis retail company making at least $9.00/hr.

1. What is your goal?
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Strategies to Achieve My Goal

1. Education and/or Training necessary:
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a. Where can you go to get this training?
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2. Type of job(s) or experience required:
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3. Obstacles to Overcome (ex: physical, personal):
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4. Who can help me? How? and When? Examples: Career Center, friends in your interested occupational area, Information Interviews.
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Informational Interviews are a helpful tool in finding out what jobs you may enjoy.

For information on conducting Informational Interviews, go to: http://law.wlu.edu/career/page.asp?pageid=182

1. List three reasons to conduct informational interviews

a. _____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________

2. What steps do you take in the informational interview process?

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3. Name five possible information interview questions:

a. _____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________
d. _____________________________________________________
e. _____________________________________________________

Print out the Informational Interview page to keep for later use.

1.Click on "File" in the toolbar on the top left of this screen (a drop-down menu will appear).
2. Click "Print" in the drop-down menu.
3. Click "OK" at the bottom right of the print box.

It is not necessary to put off your career search until a specific period of time (ex: graduation).
Knowing the above information, what is one thing you can do today to help move you toward your goal?

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