Explore (Know)
If you are teaching 100 or 200 level classes, your students are likely in some stage of exploring their options as they relate to a major, a career path, or goals. In this section you will find examples of reflection questions that can help students explore their interests, values, skills and abilities, personality traits, and potential career paths. You can link these questions to content in your course related to developing self-knowledge, or in some cases, to any activities or assignments. Â
If you are looking to put some focus on self-knowledge and career exploration in your course, consider utilizing Pathway U, an online assessment provided by Career Services.
- If you won the lottery and never needed to earn money again, what would you spend your time doing? What real jobs would potentially allow you to do some of those things?
- How have your career goals and plans been influenced by your family and/or the community you are from? Consider things like what careers you have been exposed to, what your family expects from you, cultural characteristics of your community or family, and how those things have shaped your perspective on careers.
- What aspects of this class are you enjoying the most? (This could be anything about the class or your experience in it, not just the topics we’re learning about.) What does that tell you about your interests, abilities, values, or personality? How can that information help inform your career decisions?Â
- When we do group work, what do you contribute the most to the group? What role do you take on? What do others ask you for help with? What can that tell you about your skills or strengths?
- Think about your favorite job you’ve had (or volunteer position, or extracurricular activity). What characteristics of the work and the work environment made it enjoyable? What about your least favorite job? What can you learn about what you need to have and what you need to avoid in a future career?
Remember, these are just some ideas to get you started. Contact your Career Services liaison for additional ideas that might fit your course or existing assignments.