Education and Career Planning
Career Planning (CP)
Goal Statement
The goal of Career Planning is to enhance the life and employment readiness skills of adult learners. Students will be prepared to pursue occupational and educational goals in a changing and diverse world.
Generic Topic Outline
Education and Career Planning involves the development of a broad range of foundation skills. These skills are appropriate for Fundamental, Intermediate, Advanced and Provincial levels. Of the nine skill areas listed, 1 and 2 are considered mandatory, as well as five of the remaining seven. All outcomes listed in the two mandatory skills areas must be met. While suggestions for specific topics are provided for each major skill area, it is recognized that the exact content of courses may vary.
Note the learning outcomes listed are the same for Fundamental, Intermediate, Advanced, and Provincial levels because of the developmental nature of the content. Accordingly, the depth and breadth at which topics are explored and expectations of student work will vary with each level.
Mandatory Skills
1. Communication Skills
Students will:
- identify and practice active listening skills in a variety of situations
- demonstrate a knowledge of the range of effective speaking strategies
- extract, assess and exchange information using visual and electronic media
- recognize diverse cultural styles of communication
- identify and interpret non-verbal communication
- develop and apply effective writing processes in a variety of contexts
- develop self-awareness of personal qualities, values, interests and abilities
- apply critical thinking skills
2. Education and Career Exploration Skills
Students will:
- analyze current labour market and future trends
- investigate and develop a personal network
- undertake occupational and educational research
- identify available funding supports
- apply personal values, strengths, skills and interests to optional career paths
- recognize entrepreneurial options
- investigate and utilize work-related community resources
- familiarize themselves with student support services
- use a fluid process of goal setting for educational and career planning
Additional Skills (complete 5 of 7)
3. Study Skills
Students will:
- recognize how personal learning style affects perception and processing information
- develop strategies to effectively work in all learning styles
- identify and practice active reading skills necessary to gather information
- develop and apply effective note-taking strategies
- identify strategies for effective time management
- identify and use a variety of memory techniques and strategies
- perform tasks in word processing
- describe student responsibilities in a college environment
- increase their understanding of the value of life long learning
- develop and apply effective test taking strategies
4. Personal Awareness Skills
Students will:
- recognize that self-esteem is a life long process
- recognize personal feelings and their influence
- employ strategies to deal with anger
- assess and manage stress
- analyze and utilize time management strategies
- explore and connect personal assumptions with behaviour
- clarify personal values and their impact on choices
- create awareness of the spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional dimensions of self
5. Interpersonal Skills
Students will:
- examine group process and practice the skills necessary for successful group experiences
- review problem solving models and develop group decision making strategies
- research and use the various methods of conflict resolution and demonstrate their use
- clarify the definition of assertiveness and implement successful techniques
- analyze the reasons for bias and develop the ability to recognize it in everyday situations
- identify issues around all forms of prejudice and practice non-discrimatory interpersonal skills
- investigate the various types of relationships and interaction they have with others
- identify methods of developing positive relationships, including effective communication techniques
- examine the diversity of relationships and cultures in Canadian society
6. Living Skills
Students will:
- design and implement a personal budget
- formulate financial planning for the future
- investigate nutrition and impact on personal health
- assess personal wellness
- investigate and utilize community resources
- strengthen personal support system and advocacy options
- examine the impact of lifestyles choices
- explore techniques for being an effective consumer
7. Job Search
Students will:
- identify and plan the major steps of the job search process
- develop effective interview strategies
- develop and maintain job search networks
- create effective resume and cover letter
8. Work/Training Experience
Students will:
- gain exposure to a work or training situation
- demonstrate appropriate work habits
- gather information about vocational choices
- demonstrate interpersonal skills with co workers and supervisors
- identify work adjustment needs and strategies for success
- explore and/or participate in required industry training certificates
9. Career Management
Students will:
- examine labour/union negotiation and human rights
- review Labour Standards Act
- investigate entrepreneurial options
- develop strategies preparing for career transition
- develop strategies and attitudes to maintain employment
- identify workplace ethics