Project: Career Empowerment Program

Step Description Expected Student Results
1 Getting Started We encourage students and mentors to start the relationship sharing why they chose to be in the program. The mentor can indicate why he or she chose to mentor the student. Students can share what they hope to get out of the program. In this first month the student will be accomplishing the following: 1. Complete the YouScience Aptitude Test This helps you determine what you are good at and the number of opportunities you have beyond your stated interest areas. 2. Complete the pre-test for the following You Science certifications: 21st Century Skills, Financial Literacy, Career Planning. These certifications are in demand from employers. You'll take the final test for each of the certifications at the end of the six month program. The pre-test will help you understand any gaps you need to address during the six months, allowing you to pass the test as you wrap up the mentoring program. 1. Get to know your mentor 2. YouScience Aptitude Test 3. YouScience Certification Pretest for: A. 21st Century Skills Certification B. Financial Literacy Certification C. Career Planning Certification
2 Circle back to the career interests you stated in your student application and in your first messages to your mentor. Discuss how these interests are tied to what you learned with the YouScience aptitude exam. Explore two or three career areas related to your stated interests. Review some job postings for these careers with Indeed.com. Now expand your search based on additional areas noted by your aptitude results. You'll find you can be successful in more areas than your initial stated interests. Your mentor will guide you to explore opportunities based on your interests and aptitudes. Congratulations, you are ahead of most students by rolling up your sleeves and taking this action. Career Choices: 1. Based on stated interests 2. Based on aptitude results Note overlap as well as new areas you had never thought of pursuing. Document the requirements you found in the job postings to get the interview and eventually the job.
3 Complete first draft of the portfolio, plan and network. This will provide a baseline from which to add further content and complete these assets over the next four months. Portfolio of Work - Document past projects, jobs (paid and unpaid), volunteer work and leadership positions you are proud of and would like to share with others. Professional Network - Begin by contacting professionals who you'd like to have in your network. Discuss this in depth with mentor and incorporate feedback. 1. First Draft of Portfolio of Work and Professional Network 2. Identify gaps that you'l work to fill in the next draft. 3. Review questions and prompts for starting the Career and Education Plan document. 4. Thank your mentor for specific help provided thus far.
4 Begin working on answering the questions and prompts in the career and education planning template. You'll find these questions unique compared with other plans you may have worked on in the past, typically academic focused. The more transparent and honest you are with your responses the more support you'll receive from other professionals who will open doors for you. Begin working on the second draft of your portfolio of work and professional network. Discuss gaps from the certification pretests and progress to fill them. 1. First Draft of Career and Education Plan 2. Second draft of portfolio of work and professional network 3. Address gaps from certification pretests. Discuss progress.
5 Wrap up last drafts of the portfolio of work and professional network. Share the portfolio of work with your mentor and the professionals in your network. Ask for feedback to refine while ensuring everything you produce is accurate, personal and passionate. Answer all questions in the career and education planning template and secure feedback on what you've drafted thus far. Choose one job opening at Indeed.com and note all of the requirements to get the interview and the job. Reflect on the work you've done so far. You are light years ahead of most students at this point. Congratulations. But note this isn't about competing with other students but actually the opposite. Give them a hand. 1. Final drafts of portfolio of work and professional network 2. Second to the last draft of the career and education plan 3. Share job opening with your mentor and professionals in your network. Note how prepared you feel to apply for the job. Note education, experience, certification and other gaps you have to fill.
6 Wrapping Up Complete the portfolio of work, career and education plan and professional network. Take the three certification tests from YouScience. Communicate with your professional network that everything will be moved to LInkedIn and they can expect monthly updates the first year and quarterly updates. Thank them profusely for their support and time. Complete the certification tests. Discuss results with your mentor. Move all documents to LinkedIn. Learn how to invest in and leverage a professional network. 1. Portfolio, Plan and Network 2. Certification Exams (21st Century Skills, Financial Literacy, Career Planning) 3. Thank mentor for specific help over these last six months. 4. Thank professional network. 5. Move everything to LInkedIn. 6. Continue work via LinkedIn.