Interest Inventory Sheet

Instructions: For each category below, circle a rating from 1 (low interest) to 5 (high interest). Then describe why you chose that rating or give an example of when you’ve engaged in related activities.

1. Science & Technology
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Arts & Creativity (e.g., drawing, music, design)
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Business & Leadership (e.g., managing projects, entrepreneurship)
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Helping & Service (e.g., tutoring, counseling, healthcare)
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Outdoor & Nature (e.g., gardening, conservation, sports)
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Communication & Media (e.g., writing, speaking, journalism)
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. People & Culture (e.g., history, languages, social studies)
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Problem Solving & Analysis (e.g., puzzles, research, coding)
   • Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
   Why / Example:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reflection Prompt:
• Which 2–3 categories did you rate highest? What patterns or surprises do you notice?

Strengths Assessment Worksheet

Instructions: Follow the steps below to identify your personal strengths and connect them to potential career paths.

1. Brainstorm Your Strengths

List as many strengths or skills as you can think of (e.g., problem-solving, creativity, leadership). Aim for at least 10.

1. ________________________________
   
   
2. ________________________________
   
   
3. ________________________________
   
   
4. ________________________________
   
   
5. ________________________________
   
   
6. ________________________________
   
   
7. ________________________________
   
   
8. ________________________________
   
   
9. ________________________________
   
   
10. ________________________________
    
    

2. Select Your Top 5 Strengths

Review your brainstormed list and choose the five strengths you feel best represent you. For each, write an example of a time you used that strength.

1. Strength: ________________________
   Example / Story:
   _________________________________________________
   
   
   
2. Strength: ________________________
   Example / Story:
   _________________________________________________
   
   
   
3. Strength: ________________________
   Example / Story:
   _________________________________________________
   
   
   
4. Strength: ________________________
   Example / Story:
   _________________________________________________
   
   
   
5. Strength: ________________________
   Example / Story:
   _________________________________________________
   
   
   

Reflection Prompt

• Which of your top strengths surprised you the most? Why?






• How might these strengths connect to careers you’re interested in?

Values Clarification Worksheet

Instructions: Values guide your satisfaction in work and life. Follow the steps below to identify and reflect on your top values.

1. Select Your Top 10 Values (Circle or mark)

From the list below, choose the 10 values that matter most to you.

Achievement  Balance  Creativity  Helping Others  Independence
Security  Adventure  Recognition  Teamwork  Learning
Tradition  Innovation  Leadership  Stability  Variety
Integrity  Community  Freedom  Respect  Growth

Your Top 10:

1. ________________________________
   2. ________________________________
   3. ________________________________
   4. ________________________________
   5. ________________________________
   6. ________________________________
   7. ________________________________
   8. ________________________________
   9. ________________________________
   10. ________________________________

2. Rank Your Top 5 Values

From your Top 10 list, choose and rank the 5 most essential values (1 = most important).

1. Value: ________________________
   Why this matters to me:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Value: ________________________
   Why this matters to me:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Value: ________________________
   Why this matters to me:
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Value: ________________________
   Why this matters to me:
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Value: ________________________
   Why this matters to me:
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Reflection

• Think of a time when your top value guided a decision. Describe the situation and outcome.

• How might these values influence your choice of career or college environment?

Career Research Worksheet

Instructions: Select 3–5 careers from your Session 1 insights and research each one below. For each career, fill in the details and reflect on how it matches your interests and strengths.

Career 1: ________________________________

1. Overview & Daily Duties
Describe in your own words what this career involves.

2. Required Education & Training
List degrees, certifications, or training programs needed.

3. Salary Range & Job Outlook
Note typical salary and projected growth/decline.

4. Key Skills & Qualities
What skills or personal qualities are most important?

5. Surprising Facts or Questions
Any information that surprised you or questions you still have?

6. Alignment with You
How does this career match your interests, strengths, and values?

Career 2: ________________________________

1. Overview & Daily Duties

2. Required Education & Training

3. Salary Range & Job Outlook

4. Key Skills & Qualities

5. Surprising Facts or Questions

6. Alignment with You

Career 3: ________________________________

1. Overview & Daily Duties

2. Required Education & Training

3. Salary Range & Job Outlook

4. Key Skills & Qualities

5. Surprising Facts or Questions

6. Alignment with You

Feel free to add more sheets if you'd like to explore additional careers.

Informational Interview Role-Play Script

Instructions: In this activity, you’ll practice an informational interview in two rounds. First, you’ll be the interviewer; then, you’ll switch and play the professional. Use the space under each question to take notes or draft responses.

Part 1: You as Interviewer (Coach as Professional)

1. Tell me about a typical day in this career.
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What are the most important skills and qualities needed for success?
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What education or training prepared you for this role?
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What do you find most rewarding about this work?
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. What challenges or drawbacks should someone be aware of?
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. How do you see this field changing over the next 5–10 years?
   Notes:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Debrief Round 1

• What new insights did you gain?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What follow-up questions would you ask?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Part 2: Switch Roles (You as Professional)

Your coach will now play the interviewer and ask the same questions. Use the space below to draft how you would respond, as if you hold this career.

1. Typical day in this career:
   Response:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Key skills & qualities:
   Response:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Education/training needed:
   Response:
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Most rewarding aspects:
   Response:
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Challenges/drawbacks:
   Response:
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Future trends in the field:
   Response:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Debrief Round 2

• How did it feel to answer as a professional?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What questions do you still have after playing both roles?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Reflection

• What did you learn about conducting an informational interview that you can apply when talking to real professionals?

• How will these insights shape your next steps in exploring this career?

Career Comparison Chart

Instructions: List the three careers you want to compare below, then complete the chart to see key differences and how each aligns with your interests and goals.

Careers to Compare:

Reflection:
• Which career seems the best fit overall, and why?






• What additional information do you need before making a decision?

College Types Overview Chart

Instructions: Review the main features of each college type below. For each row, jot a few notes on how it aligns with your goals and preferences.

Reflection:
• Which college type feels like the best fit for you, and why?






• What questions do you still have about these options?

College Comparison Worksheet

Instructions: Compare the 2–3 college pathways you selected in Session 3. For each column, fill in the details that matter most to you.

College Pathways to Compare:

1. ____________________________ 2. ____________________________ 3. ____________________________

Reflection Questions

• Which college pathway seems the best fit overall and why?






• What concerns or questions remain for each option?






• What is one concrete next step you’ll take to learn more or move forward?

Financial Aid & Scholarship Guide

Instructions: Use this guide to understand different types of financial aid, plan your application timeline, and identify scholarship strategies. Fill in the sections below with your own research and notes.

1. Key Financial Aid Types

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Purpose: Applies for federal grants, loans, and work-study.
• Key date: Complete by _________ (state or school's deadline).
Notes:

Grants
• Do not need to be repaid (e.g., Pell Grant, state grants).
List grants you may qualify for and deadlines:

1. ____________________________ Deadline: ___________
   
   2. ____________________________ Deadline: ___________
   
   
   

Scholarships
• Merit- or need-based awards from schools, organizations, or community groups.
• Search strategies and scholarships to pursue:

• _________________ Deadline: _______
  
• _________________ Deadline: _______
  
  
  

Loans
• Borrowed funds to be repaid (federal vs. private).
Pros and cons of loans:
Pros:
1. ____________________________
2. ____________________________

Cons:
1. ____________________________
2. ____________________________

Work-Study & Part-Time Work
• Earning while studying through campus employment.
Potential jobs and estimated hourly wage:
1. ____________________________ ($/hr)
2. ____________________________ ($/hr)

2. Application Timeline & To-Dos

3. Scholarship Search Strategies

1. Use online databases (e.g., Fastweb, College Board).
   Notes on search terms or filters you’ll use:
   
   
   
   
2. Ask school counselor and community groups for local awards.
   Contacts or organizations to check with:
   - ____________________________
   - ____________________________
   
   
3. Prepare application materials (transcripts, essays, recommendations).
   List materials you need and when to request them:
   - ____________________________ by _______
   - ____________________________ by _______
   
   

4. Budget Planning

Estimate your college costs and aid to see what you’ll need to cover.

5. Reflection & Next Steps

• What are your top 2–3 action items for financial planning?

1. _______________________________________________
   2. _______________________________________________
   3. _______________________________________________
   
   

• What questions do you still have about financial aid?

• Who can you contact for help and by when?
Name: ___________________ Role: ___________ Contact Info: ______________ Date: ________

Next Steps Planning Template

Instructions: Summarize your insights from Session 3 and plan clear next steps toward your college pathway.

1. Preferred College Pathway

Which college type or specific school are you leaning toward, and why?

Pathway: ________________________________

Reason:

2. Top Advantages & Concerns

List the 2 biggest advantages and the 2 main concerns about this option.

Advantages:

1. ________________________________
   
   
2. ________________________________
   
   
   
   Concerns:
3. ________________________________
   
   
4. ________________________________
   
   
   

3. Next Action Items

Identify three concrete steps to take before Session 4. For each, note what, how, and when.

1. Action: _________________________ Due: ___________
   Details:
   ________________________________
   
   
   
2. Action: _________________________ Due: ___________
   Details:
   ________________________________
   
   
   
3. Action: _________________________ Due: ___________
   Details:
   ________________________________
   
   
   

4. Resources & Support

Who or what will help you complete these actions? List people, websites, or materials.

• ________________________________
  
  - ________________________________
  
  - ________________________________
  
  
  

5. Reflection

What makes you excited or nervous about these next steps? How will you stay motivated?

Action Plan Worksheet

Instructions: Use this worksheet to brainstorm the specific steps you will take to move toward your career and college goals. For each action, assign who is responsible, set a due date, and list any resources you’ll need.

1. Goals Summary

Briefly restate your top career choice(s) and college pathway.

Goals:

2. Action Steps

Complete the table below with at least 5 concrete actions.

3. Potential Obstacles & Solutions

List any challenges you might face and how you will address them.

Challenges/Solutions:

1. Challenge: ________________________ Solution: ________________________
   
   
2. Challenge: ________________________ Solution: ________________________
   
   
3. Challenge: ________________________ Solution: ________________________
   
   
   

4. Reflection & Motivation

What will keep you motivated as you work through this plan? How will you track your progress?

Reflection:










Tracking Progress:

Timeline Template

Instructions: Plot your action steps along a timeline leading up to your key milestones and deadlines. For each entry, note the date or period and the corresponding action. Use extra rows or draw additional timeline as needed.

Optional: Draw a horizontal line below and plot your dates and actions visually.

Support Resources List

Instructions: Identify and list mentors, tools, and community resources that can help you achieve your goals. For each resource, note contact information, purpose, and how you will use it.

Mentors & Contacts

• Name: _____________________ Role: ______________ Contact: ____________ Availability:
  
  
  
• Name: _____________________ Role: ______________ Contact: ____________ Availability:
  
  
  

School & College Resources

• School Counselor: _____________________
  Office Hours/Contact: ______________________
  
  
  
• Career Center / College Office: ______________________
  Website/Contact: ______________________
  
  
  

Online Tools & Websites

• O*NET (https://www.onetonline.org)
  Purpose: career research
  Notes: ______________________
  
  
  
• Fastweb (https://www.fastweb.com)
  Purpose: scholarship search
  Notes: ______________________
  
  
  
• College Board BigFuture (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org)
  Purpose: college planning
  Notes: ______________________
  
  
  

Community & External Programs

• Local Workforce Center: _____________________
  Services: ______________________
  
  
  
• Library Career Workshops: _____________________
  Schedule/Contact: ______________________
  
  
  

Notes & Access Plan

How & when will you reach out to each resource?

Follow-Up Checklist

Instructions: Use this checklist to confirm you’ve completed each step of your action plan and have the support you need. Check each box when done, and jot any notes or dates next to important items.

• Reviewed and updated my Personal Reflection Journal notes
  
  
• Completed the Action Plan Worksheet with at least 5 action steps
  
  
• Filled out the Timeline Template with dates for each action
  
  
• Identified and listed all Support Resources (mentors, counselors, tools)
  
  
• Contacted at least one mentor or counselor and noted their response
  
  
• Scheduled my first two action items on my calendar
  
  
• Set reminders or follow-up dates for key milestones
  
  
• Prepared any required materials (e.g., transcripts, essay drafts, scholarship forms)
  
  
• Shared my plan with a trusted supporter (friend, family member, or mentor)
  
  
• Planned my next check-in date to track progress: ____________________

Notes & Next Steps

Use this space to note any tasks still pending or questions that came up as you worked through the checklist.