Dream Job Starter

Instructions: Take a moment to think about a job or career that sounds interesting to you, even if it feels like a dream. It doesn't have to be a job you think you can do right now, just one that captures your imagination.

Then, answer the questions below:

1. What is one job or career that you find interesting or exciting?

   
   
   
   

2. What makes this job appealing to you? (e.g., helping people, working with your hands, being creative, working outdoors)

   
   
   
   

3. What is one thing you think you are good at that might be useful in this dream job or any job?

   
   
   
   

What's Your Superpower? Worksheet

Everyone has unique strengths and abilities! Thinking about what you're good at is the first step to finding a job you'll love and excel in.

Instructions: For each section below, list 2-3 things that apply to you. Don't worry if you can't think of something for every category; just do your best!

1. Things I Am Good At Doing

• (Think about hobbies, school tasks, chores, or anything you do well)

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2. Ways I Help Others

• (Think about how you help family, friends, or even strangers)

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3. Positive Qualities I Have

• (Think about your personality traits, like being friendly, patient, organized, curious, etc.)

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4. Things I Enjoy Learning About or Doing

• (Think about subjects, activities, or topics that you find interesting and like to spend time on)

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My Top 3 Strengths for a Job:

• (Look at what you wrote above and pick your top 3 strengths that you think would be useful in a job.)

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Job Exploration: What Do Jobs Need?

Thinking about what kind of job you might want is an exciting step! Every job is different, but many jobs look for some similar qualities and skills in their employees.

Understanding Different Workplaces

Imagine a few different places people work:

• A Grocery Store: People here might help customers, stock shelves, or clean. They need to be friendly, able to follow directions, and sometimes lift things.
• A Park Maintenance Crew: These workers might cut grass, plant flowers, or fix playground equipment. They need to be good with their hands, able to work outside, and follow safety rules.
• An Office: People in an office might answer phones, type on computers, or organize papers. They need to be organized, good at listening, and comfortable using technology.
• A Restaurant Kitchen: Cooks and kitchen staff prepare food and keep the kitchen clean. They need to be good at following recipes, working quickly, and cooperating with a team.

Common Skills and Qualities Jobs Look For

No matter the job, employers often value these things:

1. Reliability: This means showing up on time, being ready to work, and doing what you say you will do. Employers want to know they can count on you.
2. Communication: Being able to listen to instructions, ask questions when you don't understand, and speak clearly to co-workers or customers. Good communication helps prevent mistakes and builds good relationships.
3. Teamwork: Many jobs require working with others. This means being helpful, sharing tasks, and respecting your co-workers. When a team works well together, everyone benefits.
4. Problem-Solving: Sometimes things go wrong, or unexpected challenges come up. Being able to think about a problem and find a solution is a very useful skill.
5. Positive Attitude: Having a friendly and respectful attitude can make a big difference. It helps create a good workplace and makes everyone's day better.
6. Willingness to Learn: Jobs often involve learning new tasks or ways of doing things. Being open to learning and asking for help when needed shows you are dedicated.

Connecting Your Strengths to Jobs

As you think about different jobs, consider how your strengths and abilities fit in. Are you good at helping people? A job in customer service or care might be a good fit. Do you like working with tools? A job in maintenance or construction could be interesting. Every strength you have can be a valuable asset in the workplace!

Discussion: Ready for Success?

Let's talk about what we've learned and how we can apply it to our own lives and future job searching.

Group Discussion Prompts:

1. Thinking about Strengths:

   • Why do you think it's important for you to know your own strengths when looking for a job?
   • Can you think of a time when using one of your strengths helped you with a task or a problem?
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Skills for the Workplace:

   • From the Job Exploration Reading or our discussion, which employment readiness skill (like reliability, communication, or teamwork) do you think is most important? Why?
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • What is one small way you could practice one of these important skills this week, even if you don't have a job yet? (e.g., practicing good communication with a family member, being on time for an appointment)
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Overcoming Challenges:

   • It's normal to feel nervous or face challenges when thinking about a job. What is one positive thing you can tell yourself if you feel worried about finding a job?
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • Who is someone you could talk to (a teacher, family member, mentor) if you need help or advice about jobs?
     
     
     
     
     
     

4. Dream Job Connection:

   • Go back to the dream job you thought about in the Dream Job Starter Warm-Up. What is one skill you think you would need for that job, and how might you start to develop it?
     
     
     
     
     
     

My Next Step Cool-Down

Instructions: Take a moment to think about what you learned today. What is one idea or action you will take away from this lesson?

1. What is one important thing you learned about career planning or getting ready for a job today?

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is one small step you can take in the next week to explore a job interest or practice an employment skill?

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How do you feel about your own potential for finding a job after today's lesson? (Circle one)

   • More confident
   • About the same
   • Less confident

Thank you for your hard work today!