Career Portfolio Assignment

Description

This assignment will help you to explore potential careers or majors, or expand your knowledge of a career area you have chosen or may be considering.

The Career Portfolio is a collection short written reports that describe different aspects of career exploration: 1) a brief self- assessment that help to identify personal and career characteristics, 2) a review and description of possible jobs or careers that fit your personality, and 3) a career plan that outlines steps to your long term career goal. All three sections must be included for full credit.

• Each of the three reports must be clearly identified and sources cited. Make sure that your portfolio is securely stapled together or put into a folder with all of the sections included. Please, no binders.

Instructions

This assignment requires you to find and use information from three separate resources: The Occupational Outlook Handbook the California Occupational Guide, one other source related to your occupation such as a trade journal or website with information about the career (s) you are interested in.

View in Blackboard or download the Career Services Handbook for information on career and major preparation. Use the Career Development section. The Career Services website also provides practical information on preparing and finding jobs and internships. The handbook is available on the Career Services homepage.

To receive full credit, your Career Portfolio must include the following separate sections, in order, and with a heading or title for each section.
Please use 12 point font, double spaced with 1" margins.

SECTION 1: SELF ASSESSMENT

Length: Approximately 2 -3 pages

1. Documented completion of the three of the Kuder Journey career assessment and the composite results. Link and activation code for the Kuder Journey are found on the Career Development Center's website -see the career assessments by clicking the "Students" link on the home page.

2. Print or take a screenshot of the results of the assessment to include in your portfolio and write a summary about what the assessments told you about your employment interests, skills and/or characteristics.

3. Include a one-page copy of your resume that briefly identifies your skills, personal qualities, hobbies and interests, career goals and any other information that you feel might help identify appropriate career areas or supports your career goal.

• NOTE: If you would like help with a resume, there are resources found on the Career Services website or stop by Career Services in Thomas Administration Room 103. The resume section of the website is available on:

Note: The link for resume templates is found toward the bottom of the list.

SECTION 2: RESEARCH PAPER

Length: Approximately 3-4 pages

Write a brief research paper on a career of your choice which answers the questions outlined in the followingResearch Guide. Plan to respond to MOST OR ALL of prompts below to write your career research paper.

Make sure to cite your references in the body of your paper so that you know where you found the information in case you need to find it again at a later date. Include a reference list at the end of the paper or each section (your choice).

You must use a minimum of three (3) resources to investigate careers that are interesting to you. Two of the resources have already been provided below; you will need to find and add one more source:

• The (federal) Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook:

• California Occupational Guide: are both required for this assignment and will provide you with two of your required resources.

• Find trade journals, website, or other publication that describes or provides information about the career area you are investigating. Sources can be print or found on-line. Your sources should be listed using an APA Reference List.

CAREER RESEARCH GUIDE

*Prompts ending with this symbol (*) are required in your research paper.

• Nature of the work in the occupation: What are the major duties and responsibilities?*

• What education, training, and experience are required? (Include any physical requirements,computer skills, licensing, or certification)*

• Special qualifications, skills, or abilities required for employment in this field (for example technical skills or specific languages).

• What are common personality characteristics of typical people working in this occupation?

• What are the working conditions (hours, stress, office, inside/outside, travel, dress requirements)?*

• Earnings, salary range, benefits (the beginning salary, average, and top earnings).*

• What type of companies, agencies, businesses employ people in this occupation? What geographical areas is the occupation predominantly found?*

• What is the outlook, or possibilities for employment for this job? What are the advancement and promotion opportunities?

• What are other occupations that are similar in this occupation? Identify any of these that interest you?*

SECTION 3: CAREER DECISION, PLAN AND GOALS

Both your Career Decision and Career Plan and Goalsshould be basedfrom information you found on your Self-Assessment and Research Paper. Also utilize information from the Career Development Center presentation in addition to what you learned on your own.

1. Career Decision

Length: Approximately 1-2 pages

Write several paragraphs explaining why you made this career decision. Include what you learned from your research and career assessment about yourself and potential career, and how each helped you with your decision.

2. Career Plan and Goals

Length: Approximately 1-2 pages

Give this some careful thought and using information from your Self-Assessment and Career Research section discuss how and why you came to your plan when you respond to these three questions:

• What are your career goals and primary targets that will signal that you have attained a part of your overall goal?
• What are your goals after college?
• Where do you see yourself 5 years?