What Interests You?
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This document provides instructions for reflecting on life experiences and interests in order to discover themes and skills that can help in career and major selection. The reader is asked to make a map by writing brief descriptions of memorable events, activities, hobbies, and influential people from their life. They are then instructed to analyze their map by connecting related ideas and identifying common themes in their experiences. Finally, the reader is told to discuss their top 5 skills/strengths/themes with a partner and consider how these insights can inform their choice of career or major.
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What Interests You?
- 1. What Interests You? Shannon Cormier
- 2. Activities created by, Dr. Katharine Brooks. You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career.
- 3. Please take out a blank piece of paper
- 4. Reflect on the life changing events you have done or have happened to you all the way back from when you were in pre-school till now.
- 5. QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT… Did you take interesting classes? Did you have a memorable summer experience? What are some things you’re most proud of? Did you face a tough challenge? Did you have interesting hobbies? How did you spend your free time? What was your favorite time in school?
- 6. JOT DOWN YOUR THOUGHTS Write only one or two words… not a paragraph. If you worked at a music shop, just write “music shop.”
- 7. TIPS 1. Draw a circle around each thought so they are separate from your other thoughts 2. Jot down as many thoughts as you can (10-20) 3. Do not organize or censor your thoughts… be open and free as much as you can!
- 9. Objects you use/enjoy • Computers • Musical instruments • Books • Binoculars • Skateboards • Telescopes or • Microscopes • Sailboats • Paintbrushes • Journals
- 10. Positive & Negative Events in life • Working in a fast food restaurant or law firm • Helping your neighbors move in • Taking a fantastic class • Tutoring a child • Baking cookies for the holidays • Designing a website or your MySpace page • Acting in a school play • Reading an amazing poem • Running for school election • Winning a basketball game • Parents’ divorce • Family illness or challenge
- 11. People who have influenced you • Parents • Relatives • Mentor • Favorite teacher • Hard teacher • Coach • Scout leader • Minister
- 12. Other Ideas • Academic major/minor • Hobbies • Achievements • Honors • Adventures/risks • Ideas • Assignments, papers or projects • Interests • Classes • Internships • Creative works • Jobs • College years: freshman, sophomore, • Pets junior, etc. • Places you’ve lived • Elementary or junior high school • Places you’ve traveled • Family heritage/culture • Reading • Favorite memories • Sports • Favorite quotes or song lyrics • Summer activities • Fun & leisure • Theories • Games • Vacations • High school years: 9th grade, 10th • Volunteer activities grade, etc. • Writing
- 13. Analyze your map! Connect (by drawing lines) the obvious connections. For example, if you have a bunch of instruments listed or anything related to music, connect all the different music related ideas. Or, connect all your part time jobs/volunteer experiences.
- 16. What do the commonalities mean? • If you worked a summer camp and was a babysitter, do you enjoy working with children? • If you played sports, did you enjoy the competition? Being part of a team? Being a leader?
- 17. Connect the Dots What are the connecting themes or threads that run through your life? Do you seem to use certain skills over and over again?
- 19. Find a partner to share your themes. Find themes in your partners map!
- 20. Write down your top 5 skills/strengths/themes Use these themes & skills to help you choose a career/major.