This project asks you to design three different "life pathways" or routes through Ivy Tech or another institution. Even though you may know exactly what you want to do, studies show that it helps to "parallel plan" or create multiple options, which helps to better explore and not feel limited to one path.
Together as a group we did a values exercise and you identified 3 key values. Values are those things that are at the "core" of what we want to do. They tap into why we do what we do. What gives us energy (which keeps us motivated), rather than what takes energy away (puts us in a situation where we do not want to be there and dread the work).
You have also completed the Ivy Career Strong, which (hopefully) has helped you identify some possible career pathways or occupations. You will use the Ivy Career Strong site (link.ivytech.edu/ics) to answer some of the data questions below. All of the information from assessments and activities we have worked through can be helpful for this assignment.
Value 1 -
What this means to me-
Value 2-
What this means to me-
Value 3-
What this means to me-
If you have one value that stands out among all three, please circle that one.
What are your top 5 Clifton Strengths and how do you use those in your life?
Strength 1-
How do you use this in your life?
Strength 2-
How do you use this in your life?
Strength 3-
How do you use this in your life?
Strength 4-
How do you use this in your life?
Strength 5-
How do you use this in your life?
Keeping in mind these values and strengths, we are going to create three different possible pathways to success at Ivy Tech. We do not want you to use this activity to think outside the box, dream and think about what could be. You can make one pathway more "realistic" than another, but we want you to have at least 1 pathway be something where you really "think outside the box". Some of the most exciting and effective plans, come from "wild ideas".
Career Path 1:This can be the first career you thought about. Maybe it's the reason you came to Ivy Tech.
What is the career?
What degree path would you take at Ivy Tech to accomplish this goal?
Will you need to go on to a four-year school to accomplish this goal? If so, where would you transfer? Do some research and find out what degree path would work. What kind of requirements does the school have for transfer?
How will this career capture your values?
How will this career capture your strengths?
How many current positions are there in this field in Southern Indiana? What is the future growth?
What is the median pay in this field? What are your feelings on that?
How much education is required to be competitive?
Do you see this path working well to accommodate the lifestyle you envision outside of work?
Career Path 2:If you could not do career 1 what is another career path you might be open to? It may look very similar, but be slightly different. For example, if not nursing, what else within healthcare might be a good fit? For this second path, it may be something similar or something completely different- but another option.
What is the career?
What degree path would you take at Ivy Tech to accomplish this goal?
Will you need to go on to a four-year school to accomplish this goal? If so, where would you transfer? Do some research and find out what degree path would work. What kind of requirements does the school have for transfer?
How will this career capture your values?
How will this career capture your strengths?
How many current positions are there in this field in Southern Indiana? What is the future growth?
What is the median pay in this field? What are your feelings on that?
How much education is required to be competitive?
Do you see this career working well to accommodate the lifestyle you envision outside of work?
Career Path 3:This is your "wild and crazy" idea. This one should be completely different than your other two possible paths. If there were absolutely no barriers to a career what might be something you'd like to explore? It doesn't have to be completely different, but this piece is just for fun and often times you can find real world things to incorporate into a career that you find to be more "realistic".
What is the career?
What degree path would you take at Ivy Tech to accomplish this goal?
For this degree, where would you go to pursue a four-year degree? What might be the best route to this career with a four-year degree? Do a bit of research- what are the steps to take to transfer in this situation?
How will this career capture your values?
How will this career capture your strengths?
How many current positions are there in this field in Southern Indiana? What is the future growth?
What is the median pay in this field? What are your feelings on that?
How much education is required to be competitive?
Do you see this career working well to accommodate the lifestyle you envision outside of work?
Decision Matrix
Use the information you have gathered to complete the decision matrix below. Think about the patterns you are seeing in your career research. In terms of work: what values need to be present? How much pay are you looking for? How much education is required and how much are you open to? Is it a good use of your strengths? Take your three career options and place them at the top of the matrix, then list your objectives down the side. Rate each career, as it applies to each of your objectives giving it a...
What are your take-aways from this activity?
What questions do you still have?
Interview:
Take one of these careers and find someone to interview. This should not be a close family member, but can be a friend. If you are not sure of who to interview, . Sometimes you can find an interview online or a thread through sites like ReddIt to interview people. LinkedIn is also a great resource to find someone working in the field you are interested in, look at the path they took, or even reach out and ask them if you can ask some questions (this is all social media- so be aware!) Some possible questions to ask (these are only suggestions- ask the questions you want to know the most)...
Interviewee Name:
Interviewee Position/Career:
- What do you like about your career?
- What do you dislike about your career?
- What do you wish someone would have told you about this career?