critical thinking module_2

Lesson 1: You can assess your own strengths, interests, values, and goals by using some tools and methods, such as:

·       Personality tests: These are assessments that measure your personality traits, such as your preferences, motivations, attitudes, and behaviors. They can help you understand yourself better and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Some examples of personality tests are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Big Five Personality Test, and the Holland Code (RIASEC) Test.

·       Interest inventories: These are assessments that measure your interests in different areas, such as your hobbies, activities, subjects, and careers. They can help you discover what you enjoy doing and what you are curious about. Some examples of interest inventories are the Strong Interest Inventory, the Career Interest Profiler, and the O*NET Interest Profiler.

·       Values exercises: These are activities that help you identify and prioritize your values, such as your beliefs, principles, and standards. They can help you determine what is important and meaningful to you and what you want to achieve in your life and career. Some examples of values exercises are the Values Card Sort, the Values Clarification Worksheet, and the Life Values Inventory.

·       Goal-setting techniques: These are methods that help you set and pursue your goals, such as your aspirations, objectives, and outcomes. They can help you plan and organize your actions and monitor your progress and results. Some examples of goal-setting techniques are the SMART Goals, the GROW Model, and the Action Plan.

Lesson 2: You can explore and research different career options and paths by using some sources and strategies, such as:

·       Online databases: These are websites that provide information and resources on various careers, such as their descriptions, requirements, outlooks, salaries, and related occupations. They can help you learn more about different career options and paths and how they match your preferences and aspirations. Some examples of online databases are the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the O*NET Online, and the CareerOneStop.

·       Career guides: These are books, articles, podcasts, videos, or other media that offer advice and insights on various careers, such as their trends, challenges, opportunities, and tips. They can help you gain a deeper and broader perspective on different career options and paths and how they fit your goals and values. Some examples of career guides are the What Color Is Your Parachute?, the Career Contessa, and the TED Talks Career Playlist.

·       Informational interviews: These are conversations that you have with people who work in the careers that you are interested in, such as your friends, family, mentors, or contacts. They can help you get first-hand and up-to-date information and feedback on different career options and paths and how they suit your skills and interests. Some examples of informational interview questions are the What do you do in your job?, the What do you like and dislike about your job?, and the What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue your career?

·       Job shadowing: This is a process where you observe and follow someone who works in the career that you are interested in, such as your colleague, supervisor, or partner. They can help you get a realistic and practical experience and exposure to different career options and paths and how they align with your personality and values. Some examples of job shadowing activities are the Watching and listening to what they do and say, the Asking questions and taking notes, and the Participating in some tasks and projects.

·       Internships: These are short-term and supervised work experiences that you have in the careers that you are interested in, such as your volunteer, part-time, or full-time positions. They can help you get a hands-on and in-depth learning and development opportunity in different career options and paths and how they meet your expectations and needs. Some examples of internships benefits are the Developing and enhancing your skills and knowledge, the Building and expanding your network and relationships, and the Exploring and confirming your career choices and goals.

Lesson 3: You can evaluate and compare different career options and paths by using some criteria and frameworks, such as:

·       Skills: These are the abilities and competencies that you have or need to perform different tasks and functions in your career, such as your technical, interpersonal, or transferable skills. They can help you measure and match your qualifications and potential with different career options and paths and how they challenge and reward you. Some examples of skills assessments are the Skills Matcher, the Skills Profiler, and the Skills Gap Analysis.

·       Education: This is the level and type of formal or informal learning and training that you have or need to pursue different careers, such as your degrees, certificates, or courses. They can help you determine and compare the requirements and benefits of different career options and paths and how they prepare and advance you. Some examples of education resources are the College Scorecard, the Coursera, and the Khan Academy.

·       Experience: This is the amount and kind of practical or professional exposure and involvement that you have or need to enter or progress in different careers, such as your projects, jobs, or internships. They can help you demonstrate and enhance your skills and knowledge in different career options and paths and how they fit and grow you. Some examples of experience opportunities are the Indeed, the LinkedIn, and the Idealist.

·       Salary: This is the amount and frequency of money that you earn or expect to earn in different careers, such as your wages, bonuses, or commissions. They can help you evaluate and negotiate the compensation and value of different career options and paths and how they support and satisfy you. Some examples of salary tools are the Salary Calculator, the PayScale, and the Glassdoor.

·       Benefits: These are the additional and non-monetary rewards and incentives that you receive or expect to receive in different careers, such as your health insurance, retirement plan, or vacation time. They can help you assess and balance the advantages and disadvantages of different career options and paths and how they protect and motivate you. Some examples of benefits guides are the Employee Benefits, the Benefits.gov, and the HealthCare.gov.

·       Work environment: This is the physical and social setting and culture that you work or expect to work in different careers, such as your location, schedule, or atmosphere. They can help you identify and adapt to the conditions and expectations of different career options and paths and how they affect and influence you. Some examples of work environment surveys are the Work Environment Scale, the Work Values Inventory, and the Work Satisfaction Questionnaire.

·       Growth potential: This is the opportunity and possibility of advancement and improvement that you have or expect to have in different careers, such as your promotion, recognition, or learning. They can help you explore and pursue the development and fulfillment of different career options and paths and how they inspire and empower you. Some examples of growth potential indicators are the Career Ladder, the Career Path, and the Career Plan.

·       Satisfaction: This is the degree and type of happiness and fulfillment that you feel or expect to feel in different careers, such as your enjoyment, meaning, or impact. They can help you express and achieve the purpose and goals of different career options and paths and how they align and resonate with you. Some examples of satisfaction measures are the Job Satisfaction Survey, the Career Satisfaction Scale, and the Career Happiness Index.

Lessons 4: You can make informed and realistic career decisions by using some steps and tips, such as:

·       Gathering and analyzing information: This is the step where you collect and process the information and evidence that you have or need to make your career decisions, such as your self-assessment, career exploration, and career evaluation results. You can use some tips, such as:

–          Use multiple and reliable sources and methods to gather and analyze information, such as online databases, career guides, informational interviews, job shadowing, and internships.

–          Organize and summarize the information and evidence that you have or need in a clear and concise way, such as using tables, charts, or lists.

–          Identify and address any gaps, inconsistencies, or uncertainties in the information and evidence that you have or need, such as seeking clarification, verification, or confirmation.

·       Identifying and prioritizing alternatives: This is the step where you generate and rank the different career options and paths that you have or want to consider, based on your criteria and frameworks, such as your skills, education, experience, salary, benefits, work environment, growth potential, and satisfaction. You can use some tips, such as:

–          Use brainstorming and mind mapping techniques to generate and visualize the different career options and paths that you have or want to consider, such as writing down or drawing your ideas and thoughts.

–          Use scoring and ranking methods to rank the different career options and paths that you have or want to consider, based on your criteria and frameworks, such as assigning points or weights to each option and path.

–          Use elimination and selection strategies to narrow down and choose the best career options and paths that you have or want to consider, based on your criteria and frameworks, such as comparing and contrasting the pros and cons of each option and path.

·       Seeking feedback and advice: This is the step where you consult and listen to the opinions and suggestions of others who can help you with your career decisions, such as your friends, family, mentors, or contacts. You can use some tips, such as:

–          Seek feedback and advice from people who have relevant and diverse knowledge and experience in the careers that you are interested in, such as your colleagues, supervisors, or partners.

–          Seek feedback and advice from people who have similar and different values and goals as you, such as your peers, classmates, or co-workers.

–          Seek feedback and advice from people who are supportive and honest with you, such as your

Quizz:

1. What are some tools and methods to help you with your self-assessment, such as personality tests, interest inventories, values exercises, and goal-setting techniques?

– A) They help you explore and understand your strengths, interests, values, and goals, and how they relate to your career choices and opportunities.

– B) They help you plan and conduct an effective job search, and create and submit your resume and cover letter to potential employers and opportunities.

– C) They help you prepare for and participate in different types of interviews, and build and maintain professional relationships and networks.

– D) They help you negotiate and accept a job offer, and transition to a new job and a new work environment.

– Answer: A

2. What are some sources and strategies to help you with your career exploration, such as online databases, career guides, informational interviews, job shadowing, and internships?

– A) They help you learn more about different career options and paths, and how they match your preferences and aspirations.

– B) They help you measure and match your qualifications and potential with different career options and paths, and how they challenge and reward you.

– C) They help you weigh the pros and cons of each career option and path, and how they fit your goals and values.

– D) They help you deal with uncertainty and complexity in the world of work, and how to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of employers and the labor market.

– Answer: A

3. What are some criteria and frameworks to help you with your career evaluation, such as skills, education, experience, salary, benefits, work environment, growth potential, and satisfaction?

– A) They help you generate and rank the different career options and paths that you have or want to consider, based on your preferences and aspirations.

– B) They help you consult and listen to the opinions and suggestions of others who can help you with your career decisions, such as your friends, family, mentors, or contacts.

– C) They help you weigh the pros and cons of each career option and path, and how they fit your goals and values.

– D) They help you take action and evaluate the results of your career decisions, such as seeking feedback, learning new skills, taking on new challenges, and pursuing new opportunities.

– Answer: C

4. What are some steps and tips to help you with your career decision-making, such as gathering and analyzing information, identifying and prioritizing alternatives, seeking feedback and advice, and taking action and evaluating results?

– A) They help you make informed and realistic career decisions, and deal with uncertainty and complexity in the world of work.

– B) They help you demonstrate and enhance your skills and knowledge in different career options and paths, and how they suit your interests and personality.

– C) They help you identify and adapt to the conditions and expectations of different career options and paths, and how they affect and influence you.

– D) They help you express and achieve the purpose and goals of different career options and paths, and how they align and resonate with you.

– Answer: A

5. What are some benefits of self-assessment and career exploration, such as discovering what you enjoy doing and what you are curious about, gaining a deeper and broader perspective on different career options and paths, and finding and evaluating reliable and relevant information and evidence?

– A) They help you develop and practice your critical thinking skills, such as asking questions, analyzing arguments, evaluating evidence, synthesizing information, and solving problems.

– B) They help you communicate and collaborate effectively with others, such as expressing your ideas and opinions clearly, logically, and objectively, and listening and responding to others’ feedback and advice.

– C) They help you make informed and realistic career decisions, such as identifying and prioritizing alternatives, seeking feedback and advice, and taking action and evaluating results.

– D) All of the above.

– Answer: D