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Career Skills 2

Career Research and GoalsToday’s lesson will focus on:

Learning about your next career and setting goals to meet it.

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Class Agenda:Career Research and Goals

At the end of today’s session, you should feel better answering the following questions:1. How can I effectively research new positions?2. What are some way I can address any skills gaps?3. What steps am I taking to enter my new career?

This session’s topics will be:• Career Research• Training Resources• SMART Goal Setting• Steps After Certifying

Deliverable: Assignment 02-Career Research and GoalsDue: End of Session

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Researching Positions (Initially)Preface: Generally there are 2 Career Goals people are aiming for, and you need to know which one to focus on before starting research.• Immediate Career Goal: What Job can I get with the skills

and training I have now?• Long Term Career Goal: What Job do I want?• For now we will focus on the goal you have for

after completing Byte Back.

No matter, which goal, the following resources will prove very helpful:• MyNextMove• Online Job Postings• General Online Search

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MyNextMoveAssignment 2: Career Research & Goals Worksheet, Section 1

• MyNextMove pulls information from ONetOnline, which is developed by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration and continually updated from input by a broad range of workers in each occupation.

• Good for general overview of positions.

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Online Job PostingsAssignment 2: Career Research & Goals Worksheet, Section 2

• Use sites like indeed, idealist, dcjobs, etc. to research local positions.

• Best to find out skills in demand in your intended work area, because they can vary from region to region.

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General Online SearchAssignment 2: Career Research & Goals Worksheet, Section 3

Almost any question about any position can be answered by Google!

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Bridging the Skills Gap (IT)Training Websites Networking Opportunities

• Lynda (https://www.dclibrary.org/lynda)

• Youtube(www.youtube.com)

• Udemy(www.Udemy.com)

• Byte Back Career Events• Mentorships• Informational Interviews• Meetup(www.meetup.com)

• General Assembly(https://generalassemb.ly/education?format=events&where=washington-dc)

• Thinkful(https://www.eventbrite.com/o/thinkful-dc-17462845185)

• Volunteering(www.volunteermatch.org / www.idealist.org)

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Goal Setting: SMART Goals

Specific: What will goal accomplish?Determined by four criteria

• Measurable: How will you know if completed?• Ambitious: How does this goal challenge you?• Realistic: What sets you up to accomplish this goal?• Time-Bound: What is established completion date?

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SMART Goals: Academic Example (IT)

Assignment 2: Career Research & Goals Worksheet, Section 4

• Become more employable• Secure Byte Back Certification.• Secure IT Fundamentals Certification by August 25th

Action Steps to Achieve Overall Goal:– Examples:

• Attend 100% of classes, and contact Sally if I miss a class to catch up.• Study 3 hours on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and the weekends.• Watch an hour of helpdesk videos on YouTube weekly.

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SMART Goals: Career Example (IT)Assignment 2: Career Research & Goals Worksheet, Section 4

Based on your comfort level, make a goal that focuses on a specific career or the general field you plan to enter.

• Example 1 (more specific): After completing Byte Back (June 2019) my goal is to work as a Helpdesk Technician.

• Example 2 (less specific): After completing Byte Back (June 2019) my goal is to advance in the IT field.

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Becoming SMARTER

• Evaluate: Set a date to check your progress• Revise: Adjust goal based on situation

• If I REALLY want to succeed, I should:– Have an Accountability Partner– Set Dates to Follow Up– Write it Down

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Next Steps:Maintaining Your Credentials (IT)

• CompTIA IT Fundamentals: Doesn't need to be renewed

• CompTIA A+: Expires After 3 years– CertMaster CE A+ Training Course (Don’t need to

take new exam)– Can renew by completing certain activities in

unison, such as getting higher certification or working in the IT field

– More information here: https://certification.comptia.org/continuing-education/learn

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Next Steps:Maintaining Your Credentials (IT)

CompTIA Road Map

• Utilize the above map to help get an idea of where your career would head after your entry level job, and steps you’ll need to take to get there.

• Remain flexible of course.

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Class Review:Career Research and Goals

How do you feel about answering the following questions?

1. How can I effectively research new positions?2. What are some way I can address any skills gaps?3. What steps am I taking to enter my new career?

Please turn in Assignment 02-Career Research and Goals