Title: After You’ve Passed Your GED

Learner Level: GED

Pre-Instruction: Basic computer/internet interaction

Review basic goal setting and achievement procedure (see below).

We’ve spent a lot of time on goal setting procedures.

Duration: 3 hours (Take home assignment)

Materials: Paper and pen for notes and lists.

Objectives: To assist students in post-GED career choice and achievement plan.

Procedure: See attached lesson plan

Evaluation: Oral or written report of career goal plan.

A goal is a dream with a time line.

Goal Setting Strategies

Being able to set goals is an important part of planning your future life.

Effective goals are SMART goals. SMART stands for

S simple

M measurable

A action orientated

R realistic

T time limited

Goals can be long-term or short-term.

Use the following steps to set a goal. Make sure you write it down!

Simple

A goal should be concrete and specific. A goal should address one specific target that can be identified. Example: I will set up a study schedule of one hour an evening.

Measurable

Monitor and evaluate so you know whether you are achieving your goal or not. If it is not going well, maybe you need to alter your goal or your action plan. When you achieve the goal, reward yourself by doing something you enjoy and congratulate yourself on a job well done. (Hot fudge sundaes are excellent rewards)

Action orientated

Use action verbs in your goal statement. “By Friday (date), I will have Made a list of the courses I need to take and registered for the first one.”

Realistic

A goal should be realistic, that means manageable and achievable. Your motivation may drop if your goal is unrealistic and you set yourself up for failure..

Time limited

A large or long-term goal can be broken into smaller, more manageable steps. Then it becomes possible to give a timeframe for achieving the goal. If it is a larger goal, list the benefits if you accomplish your goal and list any obstacles to overcome, for instance your own procrastination, getting time to go to the library, etc. Come up with a specific action plan and time table for each step in

accomplishing your goal and for overcoming obstacles. Short-term goals can be incorporated into your timetable.

Setting SMART goals is the key to becoming a smart student. A smart student makes the best use of the time spent studying. Working smarter as well as harder is the key to academic success.

Last updated May 2003 by student-counselling@tcd.ie (c) Copyright, Trinity College Dublin

NEVADA CAREER INFORMATION SERVICE.

UNIT PLAN:

Go to http://www.nvcis.intocareers.org/

Sign in by using your city, zip and area code.
This should bring you to the page that has the title "It is Spring!".
Look on the left hand side menu and select O*NET Interest Profiler
Answer the questionnaire
Tabulate the results and click on one or more links for your highest interests.

Click on one or more careers under your interest. Example: Photographer:

Click on at least three of the links at the left to gain more information about your selected career, including “Skills and Abilities.”
Now Click on “Home”
From the Home Page, click on “Programs of Study.”
Click on area that interests you; let’s take nursing for example:
Click on “Registered Nursing”
Click on several of the topics on the left hand menu under ‘TOPICS’ and investigate.
Click on “Nevada Schools” and then on “Truckee Meadows Community College.”
Return to the “Home” page
If you want a job NOW, check out the “Job Search” categories.
Now check out other areas that interest you.
Identify (at least) one career goal for yourself. Write a brief overview of the career. List the skills and abilities needed for that career. List any schooling or training needed. Write one place where the schooling or training is available.
Write a career goal plan for yourself.