Ced 250 Final Reflection

CED 250: Final Reflection Paper You will synthesize and examine what you have learned throughout the course. You will analyze and discuss the self-knowledge you have developed in the career context, using critical thinking throughout the paper. As this is the final “exam,” you are expected to demonstrate improved writing skills. Writing quality accounts for 25% of the grade on the paper. As per usual, your paper should follow essay format and APA style. The paper will be 6 to 8 pages long (do not go under 6 pages and do not exceed 8). Please use the four headings indicated below (Self Exploration, Career Research, etc.) to help organize the body of your paper and ensure that a thesis statement in your introduction explains the organization of your paper. You are encouraged to take your paper to the Writing Center prior to submission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In your essay, address the following areas: Part I. SELF EXPLORATION: What did you learn about yourself from the self‑exploration series? Interest/Personality · Discuss the results of the PGI and the NEO-PI. Comment on your top career interests. Values · Discuss your personal/career values and how they have influenced your career development. Skills/Abilities · Comment on your current skills and abilities and how they have/will influence your career development. Identify at least 3 skills you feel make you stand out and 3 additional skills you would like to develop. Part II. CAREER RESEARCH: What careers are you interested in and why? Career Exploration · Discuss at least 2 careers you are interested in and comment on the information you learned when researching those careers for this course. Comment on how it affected your view of your major or potential major. · Describe your current major and career options. What are the implications of these options? Informational Interview · Describe your experience of the interview and comment on how it has affected your view of the specific career of the interviewee. Part III. INFLUENCING FACTORS: What factors contribute to your career development? Environmental Influences · Comment on any external factors that have had an impact on your career development thus far. · Discuss future external factors that you foresee influencing your career choices. This may include family, disabilities, culture, sex, race, age, location/region, financial situation, etc. · Discuss how prepared you are to embrace and deal with issues related to workplace diversity. Part IV. THE FUTURE: Devote some time to assessing the type of person you would like to be in the future. · Discuss what people or experiences you might choose to seek out to help you obtain growth in these areas. (Include the “whole” you – connecting your career with your personal life). Discuss your life and work values. How do you see them being fulfilled? · Explain where you see yourself realistically 5, 10, and 20 years from now. · Using the career theories discussed in this course, consider what your next steps might be. Include issues related to self-efficacy in your specific career field and your academic path. Review the rubric on page 2 for additional information about grading. Final Reflection Paper Rubric (50 points) Limited / Not Addressed Adequate Good Excellent Total Points I. Self-Exploration (9pt) No self-exploration information provided. (0pts) Basic to minimal information of self-knowledge provided. No integration/ minimal critical thinking present within this section. (1-3pts) Some self-exploration information is presented, however there is little integration between assessment information and self-knowledge. (4-8pts) All components are discussed (interests/personality, values, skills/abilities; including NEO/PGI). Integration of assessment results with your self-knowledge. Critical thinking utilized in deeper self-exploration (i.e. discussing themes and patterns). (9pts) II. Career Research (9pt) No career research provided. (0pts) Career information provided, however it is minimal or some information is missing. Information provided is not linked to a “take-away” message. (1-3pts) Adequate information provided, minimal integration is provided. There is some detailed information about how this information contributes to student career development. (4-8pts) Information about at least 2 career options and the informational interview is articulate and comprehensive. Integration of information and career path is present. Themes, patterns, and summary statements present. (9pts) III. Influencing Factors (9pt) No influencing factors discussed. (0pts) Vague factors mentioned, however the link between factors and career development is minimal. (1-3pts) Factors are linked to career development in the past, the future connection is vague. (4-8pts) Career development is integrated with the various factors mentioned. Critical thinking present through the integration of past, present, and future influences to career development. (9pts) IV. The Future (11pt) No discussion of future career development. (0pts) Vague points about the future are mentioned without connection to the previous sections of self-knowledge factors, career research, or influencing factors. Lacking integration. (1-3pts) Future career development and timeline provided. Moderate level of integration or mention of sections I-III. The “take-away” message from the class is clearly articulated. (4-10pts) The future section is a synthesis of information presented in sections I-III. Utilization of critical thinking in explaining how and why the future will look a certain way (drawing upon self-knowledge and factors). (11pts) V. Paper Writing Quality (12pt) Numerous writing errors. No paragraph/ essay structure (0pts) More than 3 errors present either with spelling or grammar. There are paragraphs present, but no structure to the essay regarding thesis statements and transitions. APA style not used. No reference list. (1-5pts) Fewer than three spelling or grammar errors. Lacks transitions or is poorly organized. APA style used, but with a few errors. (6-11pts) No errors. Well-structured essay utilizing paragraphs (introduction/conclusion) and transitions. APA style used accurately with reference list. (12pts) Total Pts 50pts Note – the following deductions will be made for formatting issues: · Page requirement not met [(-1/page); partial deduction (-.25) for each quarter page exceeding or failing to meet requirement] · Not having 1” margins (-.25) · Not using Times New Roman font (-.25) · Not double-spacing (-.25) · Not naming online file submission per the specifications listed in the syllabus (-.25)