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Independent Project: Your Dream Life
This is your chance to do some
research and find out what your dream career would really be like. You may
choose any job you'd like as long as it is truly an interest of yours. For
this project, you can be practical or not; forget what your parents have told
you. Be creative! Think big! Here's your chance to find out what it would
really take to get you where you'd like to be.
Format:
Eight minute oral presentation of your project. Visual aids such as PowerPoint are strongly recommended.
Method and Content:
Select your dream job. For assistance, consider completing the "Assessment of Career Interests" surveys available through UNCW Career Services http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/career/students/assessments.htm or at MyCoolCareer.com. What did you learn about your career interests from the Career Key you completed for the Career Services workshop?
Check your resources (your workshops with Career Services and Randall Library will be very useful!) You should use (and properly cite) at least three sources: use both internet and print sources. See the Randall Library Resource Guide for Career Information at http://library.uncw.edu/web/research/topic/careers.html . Specifically, try to answer these questions:
What education is needed?
What are the starting salaries?
Where are the job ads published? Select and attach one that you hope you can apply for one day.
What skills does the job require?
Interview at least one person who has the job you would love or hires people for that career. Ask him or her:
What do you expect college graduates to know?
What skills are important?
How did you get where you are?
Why did you choose this career?
What would you do differently?
Make a plan:
What courses should you take?
What volunteer and/or extra-curricular activities would enhance your resume?
What other experiences or training would be of benefit?
What type of honors project would help you attain your goals? Be specific.
If graduate school is required, which one(s) would you be interested in and why?
How will you incorporate experiential learning (internships, study abroad) in your education?
What scholarships and/or fellowships are available for your area of study? How do you qualify and apply for these?
Talk with a junior or senior who is also interested in that job about their plan.
BONUS: develop a resume that you would use to apply for a job in Summer 2008 to help you prepare for this career. Be sure to indicate in your paper why you pick this (hypothetical or real) summer job and attach the resume to the paper as an appendix. You must be honest in your resume- it's real! The only exception to this is that you can indicate your likely activities for the spring. Then think about whether you'd hire you based on the resume.
Grading:
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Career Description: What is work like, what is required in terms of skills and education |
6 points |
| Personal Plan: what you will do to make yourself qualified | 3 points |
| Interview: Who you interviewed, what you learned | 3 points |
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Presentation: How you organized the content, presentation style (speaking clearly, conveying interest, etc. |
6 points |
| Use of print/electronic sources | 2 points |
DUE DATES:
Topic choice due on Tuesday, September 9 (email is acceptable).
Name of interviewee and date of planned interview due on September 18
Oral presentations will be assigned for
| Date: | Speakers: |
| 10/14 | |
| 10/16 | |
| 10/21 |