Your Path, Your Power: Seminar Script

Introduction & Hook (Slide 1-2)

(Teacher): "Welcome, everyone! I'm so glad you're here today for 'Your Path, Your Power: Navigating Your Academic and Career Journey.' I know that as graduate students, you're constantly thinking about your next steps, and sometimes, that can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when there are so many exciting, but also potentially daunting, possibilities.

Let's start with a quick thought-starter. Take a moment to think: What's one dream you've had for your future, big or small? It could be anything – a specific job, a kind of impact you want to make, a lifestyle, or even just a feeling you want to experience. You don't have to share it out loud unless you want to, but just hold that thought.

(Pause for students to reflect. Invite 1-2 quick voluntary shares if there's interest and time.)

It's completely normal to feel uncertain or to have a multitude of interests pulling you in different directions. My goal today is not to tell you what to do, but to equip you with some powerful tools and a structured approach to help you explore those feelings and clarify your path with confidence."

Today's Journey: Our Goals (Slide 3)

(Teacher): "Let's look at what we aim to achieve together today. By the end of this seminar, you will be able to:

• Identify your core interests, strengths, and values.
• Utilize practical tools to explore potential university majors and career paths.
• And ultimately, make more informed and confident decisions about your future. We're focusing on building confidence in your decision-making process, knowing that your path is unique to you."

Self-Reflection Deep Dive (Slide 4-5)

(Teacher): "The journey to finding your ideal path truly begins with understanding yourself. This is where the power of self-reflection comes in. It's about taking a good look inward at what truly makes you tick. We're going to explore three key areas: your interests, your strengths, and your values.

I'm going to hand out a Self-Reflection Worksheet now. This worksheet is your personal inner compass. I want you to take about 15 minutes to go through it. Be honest with yourselves, think deeply, and remember – there are no right or wrong answers here. This is for you."

(Distribute Self-Reflection Worksheet. Allow 15 minutes for students to complete it. Circulate quietly, offering help if needed.)

(Teacher): "Alright, everyone, let's bring it back together. I invite a few volunteers to share just one insight they gained or one thing that surprised them about their interests, strengths, or values. No pressure at all, but sometimes hearing from others can spark new thoughts for ourselves."

(Facilitate a brief group share-out for 10 minutes. Gently probe for deeper thoughts if appropriate.)

Exploring Majors & Careers: The Activity (Slide 6-7)

(Teacher): "Fantastic. Now that you've had a chance to connect with your inner compass, let's look outward. Sometimes, the most fulfilling paths aren't the ones we initially considered, or perhaps we just haven't seen how our unique combination of interests, strengths, and values can lead to unexpected and exciting careers.

Our next activity, the Career Exploration Activity, is designed to help you:

• Connect those personal reflections to potential academic fields and job roles.
• Discover new possibilities you might not have known existed.
• And really, just think creatively about how your unique blend of talents can be applied in the world.
  
  I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive instructions for the Career Exploration Activity. You'll have about 20 minutes for this. Work together, brainstorm, and don't be afraid to think outside the box. Afterwards, we'll come back as a whole group to share some of your most interesting discoveries."

(Divide students into small groups. Distribute Career Exploration Activity instructions. Allow 20 minutes for the activity, circulating to offer guidance. After 20 minutes, bring groups back together.)

(Teacher): "Welcome back, everyone! What a buzzing room! Let's hear from each group. What was one interesting major or career path you uncovered, or what was a particularly challenging part of connecting personal attributes to professions?"

(Facilitate a 10-minute group discussion, encouraging diverse perspectives.)

Decision-Making Tools (Slide 8-9)

(Teacher): "You've reflected, you've explored. Now, what happens when you have a few really appealing options, and you're not sure how to make 'the call'? This is where a structured decision-making tool can be incredibly helpful. We're going to talk about a Decision Matrix.

A Decision Matrix isn't about making the choice for you, but it helps you to:

• Objectively compare different paths against what you care about.
• Weigh factors that are important to you.
• And ultimately, help you visualize which option might be your best fit.

I'm providing you with a Decision Matrix Tool Guide. Let's quickly review it together."

(Distribute and quickly walk through the Decision Matrix Tool Guide, explaining each step: identifying criteria, assigning weights, scoring options, and calculating. Give a very brief, simple example if possible, e.g., choosing a restaurant.)

(Teacher): "Does anyone have any initial questions about how they might use this tool? Remember, it's a guide to aid your intuition, not replace it."

(Answer questions for 5 minutes.)

Wrap-Up & Next Steps (Slide 10-11)

(Teacher): "We're nearing the end of our seminar, and you've covered a lot of ground today! To recap, you now have some fantastic tools for:

• Self-Discovery: understanding your interests, strengths, and values.
• Exploration: connecting those insights to a wider world of academic and career options.
• And Decision-Making: with the Decision Matrix approach to systematically evaluate your choices.
  
  This isn't a one-and-done event; it's a continuous journey. To help you continue this important self-exploration, I encourage you to use the Post-Seminar Reflection Journal. It has prompts to help you keep thinking about these topics.
  
  Are there any final questions or thoughts anyone would like to share?
  
  (Answer any final questions for 4 minutes.)

(Teacher): "Thank you all for your engagement today. Remember, your path is unique, and you truly have the power to shape it. Embrace the journey, trust the insights you've gained, and confidently make choices that align with your authentic self. You've got this!"

Your Inner Compass: Self-Reflection Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you dig deeper into what truly drives you. Be honest, be thoughtful, and take your time. There are no right or wrong answers!

Part 1: My Interests

What truly excites and energizes you? Think about subjects, hobbies, topics, or even problems you love to solve.

1. List 3-5 academic subjects or topics you genuinely enjoy learning about, even if they don't seem

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g., "Helping Others," "Innovation," "Problem Solving").
3. Branch Out - Fields/Skills: From the central idea, draw branches to related academic fields, skills, or types of work. (e.g., from "Helping Others" branch to "Psychology," "Social Work," "Healthcare," "Communication skills").
4. Branch Out - Careers/Majors: From these fields/skills, draw further branches to specific university majors or career roles. Think broadly and don't limit yourselves! (e.g., from "Psychology" branch to "Clinical Psychologist," "UX Researcher," "Education Policy Major").
5. Identify Strengths: As you brainstorm, consider which of your group members' strengths (from the Self-Reflection Worksheet) would be particularly valuable in these majors/careers. Write these next to the relevant branches.
6. Reflection & Sharing: Be prepared to share one interesting connection or a surprising discovery your group made.

Decision Matrix Tool Guide: Weighing Your Options

When you're faced with several good options for your major or career path, a Decision Matrix can help you organize your thoughts and make a more objective choice. It allows you to score each option against the criteria that matter most to you.

How to Use Your Decision Matrix:

Step 1: Identify Your Options

List all the university majors or career paths you are seriously considering. These will be the rows of your matrix.

• Example Options:
  • Option A: Ph.D. in Neuroscience
  • Option B: Master's in Public Health
  • Option C: Career in Science Communication
    
    
    
    

Step 2: Determine Your Criteria

What factors are most important to you when making this decision? Think about what came up in your Self-Reflection Worksheet (interests, strengths, values) and what you value in a career or academic path (e.g., salary, work-life balance, impact, learning opportunities, job security, location, prestige).

• Example Criteria:
  • Intellectual Stimulation
  • Earning Potential
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Social Impact
  • Job Market Demand
    
    
    
    

Step 3: Assign Weights to Your Criteria

Not all criteria are equally important. Assign a weight (e.g., 1-5, where 5 is most important) to each criterion based on how much it matters to you. The sum of your weights doesn't need to be a specific number, just reflect relative importance.

• Example Weights:
  • Intellectual Stimulation: 5
  • Earning Potential: 3
  • Work-Life Balance: 4
  • Social Impact: 5
  • Job Market Demand: 4
    
    
    
    

Step 4: Score Each Option Against Each Criterion

For each option, rate how well it meets each criterion using a consistent scale (e.g., 1-5, where 5 is excellent and 1 is poor). Be honest and realistic.

• Example Scoring (for Option A: Ph.D. in Neuroscience):
  • Intellectual Stimulation: 5
  • Earning Potential: 2
  • Work-Life Balance: 1
  • Social Impact: 3
  • Job Market Demand: 3
    
    
    
    

Step 5: Calculate the Weighted Score

Multiply each score by its corresponding criterion weight. Then, sum these weighted scores for each option.

• Example Calculation (for Option A: Ph.D. in Neuroscience):
  • Intellectual Stimulation: 5 (score) * 5 (weight) = 25
  • Earning Potential: 2 (score) * 3 (weight) = 6
  • Work-Life Balance: 1 (score) * 4 (weight) = 4
  • Social Impact: 3 (score) * 5 (weight) = 15
  • Job Market Demand: 3 (score) * 4 (weight) = 12
  • Total Weighted Score for Option A: 25 + 6 + 4 + 15 + 12 = 62
    
    
    
    

Step 6: Compare Total Scores

The option with the highest total weighted score is, by this matrix, your

Post-Seminar Reflection Journal: Continuing Your Journey

This journal is a space for you to continue processing your thoughts and discoveries after the seminar. There's no rush to fill it out; come back to it whenever you feel the need to reflect on your path.

Part 1: Initial Reflections

1. What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during the Self-Reflection Worksheet or the Career Exploration Activity?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Were there any majors or career paths that emerged during the activities that you hadn't seriously considered before? What makes them intriguing?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What specific question or challenge about your future path is currently weighing on you the most?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Applying the Decision Matrix

1. Think of two to three specific university majors or career paths you are currently considering. Use the Decision Matrix Tool Guide to create a basic matrix for these options. What criteria did you choose, and why did they feel most important to you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. After completing the matrix, did the results align with your gut feeling, or did they challenge your initial leanings? Explain your reaction.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How might you use the Decision Matrix in other areas of your life where you need to make a significant choice?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Looking Forward

1. What is one concrete next step you can take in the next week to further explore a major or career path that interests you (e.g., informational interview, research a program, talk to a professor)?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How will you continue to nurture your self-awareness (interests, strengths, values) as you move forward in your academic and professional journey?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Write a short, encouraging message to your future self about the journey you are on.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g., "Helping Others," "Innovation," "Problem Solving").
3. Branch Out - Fields/Skills: From the central idea, draw branches to related academic fields, skills, or types of work. (e.g., from "Helping Others" branch to "Psychology," "Social Work," "Healthcare," "Communication skills").
4. Branch Out - Careers/Majors: From these fields/skills, draw further branches to specific university majors or career roles. Think broadly and don't limit yourselves! (e.g., from "Psychology" branch to "Clinical Psychologist," "UX Researcher," "Education Policy Major").
5. Identify Strengths: As you brainstorm, consider which of your group members' strengths (from the Self-Reflection Worksheet) would be particularly valuable in these majors/careers. Write these next to the relevant branches.
6. **

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g., "Helping Others," "Innovation," "Problem Solving").
3. Branch Out - Fields/Skills: From the central idea, draw branches to related academic fields, skills, or types of work. (e.g., from "Helping Others" branch to "Psychology," "Social Work," "Healthcare," "Communication skills").
4. Branch Out - Careers/Majors: From these fields/skills, draw further branches to specific university majors or career roles. Think broadly and don't limit yourselves! (e.g., from "Psychology" branch to "Clinical Psychologist," "UX Researcher," "Education Policy Major").
5. Identify Strengths: As you brainstorm, consider which of your group members' strengths (from the Self-Reflection Worksheet) would be particularly valuable in these majors/careers. Write these next to the relevant branches.
6. **

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g., "Helping Others," "Innovation," "Problem Solving").
3. Branch Out - Fields/Skills: From the central idea, draw branches to related academic fields, skills, or types of work. (e.g., from "Helping Others" branch to "Psychology," "Social Work," "Healthcare," "Communication skills").
4. Branch Out - Careers/Majors: From these fields/skills, draw further branches to specific university majors or career roles. Think broadly and don't limit yourselves! (e.g., from "Psychology" branch to "Clinical Psychologist," "UX Researcher," "Education Policy Major").
5. Identify Strengths: As you brainstorm, consider which of your group members' strengths (from the worksheet) would be particularly valuable in these majors/careers. Write these next to the relevant branches.
6. **

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g., "Helping Others," "Innovation," "Problem Solving").
3. Branch Out - Fields/Skills: From the central idea, draw branches to related academic fields, skills, or types of work. (e.g., from "Helping Others" branch to "Psychology," "Social Work," "Healthcare," "Communication skills").
4. Branch Out - Careers/Majors: From these fields/skills, draw further branches to specific university majors or career roles. Think broadly and don't limit yourselves! (e.g., from "Psychology" branch to "Clinical Psychologist," "UX Researcher," "Education Policy Major").
5. Identify Strengths: As you brainstorm, consider which of your group members' strengths (from the worksheet) would be particularly valuable in these majors/careers. Write these next to the relevant branches.
6. **

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g., "Helping Others," "Innovation," "Problem Solving").
3. Branch Out - Fields/Skills: From the central idea, draw branches to related academic fields, skills, or types of work. (e.g., from "Helping Others" branch to "Psychology," "Social Work," "Healthcare," "Communication skills").
4. Branch Out - Careers/Majors: From these fields/skills, draw further branches to specific university majors or career roles. Think broadly and don't limit yourselves! (e.g., from "Psychology" branch to "Clinical Psychologist," "UX Researcher," "Education Policy Major").
5. Identify Strengths: As you brainstorm, consider which of your group members' strengths (from the worksheet) would be particularly valuable in these majors/careers. Write these next to the relevant branches. (e.g., "Analytical thinking" next to "Data Scientist").
6. **

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g., "Helping Others," "Innovation," "Problem Solving").
3. Branch Out - Fields/Skills: From the central idea, draw branches to related academic fields, skills, or types of work. (e.g., from "Helping Others" branch to "Psychology," "Social Work," "Healthcare," "Communication skills").
4. Branch Out - Careers/Majors: From these fields/skills, draw further branches to specific university majors or career roles. Think broadly and don't limit yourselves! (e.g., from "Psychology" branch to "Clinical Psychologist," "UX Researcher," "Education Policy Major").
5. Identify Strengths: As you brainstorm, consider which of your group members' strengths (from the worksheet) would be particularly valuable in these majors/careers. Write these next to the relevant branches. (e.g., "Analytical thinking" next to "Data Scientist").
6. **

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g.,

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g.,

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your Self-Reflection Worksheet in the center. (e.g.,

Career Exploration: Connecting Your Inner World to the Outer World

Goal: To creatively brainstorm and visualize how your identified interests, strengths, and values can lead to a diverse range of majors and career paths.

Time: 20 minutes (small group work)

Materials: Large piece of paper or whiteboard, markers/pens, sticky notes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Work in your assigned small groups.
2. Central Idea: On your large paper/whiteboard, write your group members' collective 2-3 strongest values or interests from your worksheets in the center. (e.g.,