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Future Goals Quest

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Lesson Plan

Future Goals Quest Lesson Plan

Students will explore their interests and strengths, research potential career and college pathways, and create at least one SMART goal with actionable steps toward their future.

This lesson empowers students to take ownership of their future by clarifying goals and planning actionable steps, boosting motivation and self-awareness during the critical transition to high school.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection and targeted goal-setting activities.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Pose the question: “Why is setting goals important for your future?”
  • Have students turn to a partner and share their ideas for 2 minutes
  • Invite 3–4 volunteers to report highlights and record key points on the board

Step 2

Reflection Activity

7 minutes

Step 3

Exploration Assignment

8 minutes

  • Introduce the Career and College Exploration Chart
  • Students use computers/tablets to research two careers and two college programs that align with their interests
  • They record key requirements, skills, and educational steps in the chart

Step 4

Goal-Setting Workshop

7 minutes

  • Provide each student with the SMART Goal-Setting Template
  • Display a sample SMART goal (e.g., “By June, I will have researched and applied to three colleges with strong computer science programs.”)
  • Students draft one personal career or college goal using the SMART framework and outline actionable steps with deadlines

Step 5

Share and Close

3 minutes

  • Ask volunteers to share their SMART goal and one action step they identified
  • Highlight common themes and congratulate students on concrete planning
  • Remind them to keep their worksheet and template for future reference and next steps
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Slide Deck

Future Goals Quest

9th Grade Career and College Goals

30-Minute Session

Welcome students and introduce today's session. Explain that we'll explore what they enjoy and plan concrete steps for their future careers or college. Set a positive tone.

Learning Objectives

• Explore personal interests and strengths
• Research potential careers and college programs
• Draft a SMART goal with actionable steps

Read through each objective aloud and explain why it matters. Connect objectives to student ownership of their future.

Warm-Up: Why Set Goals?

Why is setting goals important for your future?

• Turn to a partner and discuss for 2 minutes.

Pose the question on screen. Give students 2 minutes for partner discussion. Then invite volunteers and record highlights on the board.

Reflection: Interests & Strengths

Complete the Personal Interests and Strengths Worksheet:

  1. List your top 3 interests
  2. Identify your top 3 skills
  3. Describe what energizes you and where you excel

Distribute the Personal Interests and Strengths Worksheet. Encourage students to think broadly and honestly. Circulate to support deeper reflection.

Exploration: Careers & Colleges

Use the Career and College Exploration Chart:

• Research 2 careers that match your interests
• Research 2 college programs aligned to those careers
• Record required skills, qualifications, and steps

Introduce the Career and College Exploration Chart. Demonstrate how to look up key information. Remind students to record requirements and educational steps.

SMART Goal Framework

A SMART goal is:
• Specific: clear and focused
• Measurable: quantifiable milestones
• Achievable: realistic yet challenging
• Relevant: aligned with your interests
• Time-Bound: has a deadline

Explain each SMART criterion with a brief example. Ask students to note how clarity and deadlines help keep goals on track.

Example SMART Goal

By June 1, I will research and apply to three colleges with strong computer science programs by:

  1. Attending 2 virtual info sessions by April 15
  2. Completing each application’s written responses by May 15
  3. Gathering recommendation letters by May 1

Walk through this example, highlighting each SMART element. Show how action steps break down the work.

Your Turn: Draft Your SMART Goal

Using the template:

  1. Write your personal career or college goal
  2. Ensure it’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound
  3. List at least 3 action steps with deadlines

Distribute SMART Goal-Setting Templates. Encourage student questions. Circulate to help refine goals ensuring they meet all SMART criteria.

Share & Reflect

Volunteers share:
• Your SMART goal
• One key action step

Discuss any questions or support needed

Invite 3–4 volunteers to share. Offer positive feedback and note common themes. Encourage peer support.

Next Steps & Resources

• Save your worksheet and SMART template
• Visit your school counselor for guidance
• Explore online resources for careers and college planning

Summarize the session, remind students to keep materials for future reference, and point them to additional resources (counselor office, websites).

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Worksheet

Personal Interests and Strengths Worksheet

Name: _____________________________ Date: ____________________

1. Top 3 Interests

a. ____________________________________________________________



b. ____________________________________________________________



c. ____________________________________________________________


2. Top 3 Skills

a. ____________________________________________________________



b. ____________________________________________________________



c. ____________________________________________________________


3. Reflection: What energizes you and where do you excel?

Describe situations when you feel most engaged and successful.





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Worksheet

Career and College Exploration Chart

Name: _____________________________ Date: ____________________

Career Exploration

Complete the table below with details for two careers that align with your interests.

Career TitleDescriptionRequired SkillsQualifications & Steps
1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________


2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________


College Program Exploration

Research two college programs related to your chosen careers. Record key information below.

College/Program NameProgram Focus & DescriptionAdmission RequirementsEducational Steps & Timeline
1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________


2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________


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Worksheet

SMART Goal-Setting Template

Name: _____________________________ Date: ____________________

1. Specific: What do you want to accomplish?

Write a clear and focused goal.





2. Measurable: How will you track progress?

Define quantifiable indicators of success.





3. Achievable: What resources or support will you need?

Identify tools, skills, or people that can help.





4. Relevant: Why is this goal meaningful to you?

Explain why this goal aligns with your interests and priorities.





5. Time-Bound: What is your deadline?

Set a specific date or timeframe.





Action Steps

List at least 3 steps with deadlines:

  1. __________________________________________________________ by ________________


  2. __________________________________________________________ by ________________


  3. __________________________________________________________ by ________________


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Cool Down

Goal-Reflection Cool Down

Name: _____________________________ Date: ____________________

1. What SMART goal did you set today?

Write the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal you drafted.


2. Which action step will you start with tomorrow?

Identify the first step and when you plan to begin it.


3. How confident are you in completing this goal?

Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5 (1 = Not confident, 5 = Very confident)

4. What support or resource would help you succeed?

(e.g., a mentor, research materials, time management tools)





Thank you! Please hand this in before you leave.

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