Final Paper - DUE December 20th

Your final essay is a culmination of everything you learned about yourself this semester.  The questions you answer in this paper will look familiar to you, because you've answered them in various discussions and assignments throughout the semester.  You can download and print the directions and rubric here: Final Essay.pdf Download Final Essay.pdf

Essay must be typed, double spaced, twelve-point font, and uploaded through this assignment link.

**No late papers accepted**

Final Essay: 100 points (as extra credit-- so, if you have an A grade by the end of the term, you can skip this paper and still receive an A).

Format: 4-5 Pages, double-spaced, typed, 12-point font

Directions: Have fun!  Find your purpose.  Recognize that career planning is a life-long process.  Write an essay that addresses the following questions in this order. Many of these questions you have already answered in a discussion forum throughout the semester.  

A grading rubric is provided for you to use to make sure you have done everything you need to do in order to get the grade you want to get.

• Question 1: Introduction.  Please identify one long-range career goal.
• Question 2: Explain how FIVE of your VALUES will match this career choice.
• Question 3: Explain how FIVE of your SKILLS will match this career choice.
• Question 4: Identify your top TWO True Colors and how they match this career choice.
• Question 5: Identify your MBTI 4-letter Code, explain what each letter means to you and how this matches your career choice.
• Question 6: Identify your Strong 3-Letter RIASEC code, what each letter in your code stands for, and how this matches your career choice.
• Question 7: Define your Educational goal (major, school/apprenticeship, employment, etc.) Include a DATE you would like to accomplish this goal.  Example, “I want to complete my Associate’s degree and transfer to UC Davis by Fall 2017 with a major in Sociology.”
• Research the catalog from the school you’d like to transfer to if you’re looking to transfer, or SRJC if you are not planning to transfer.  Look up the classes required in your major.  Give examples of two specific courses and your thoughts on those.  Include a link to the catalog page in the essay.
• Question 8: When things get tough, as they inevitably will, give FIVE reasons you will stay empowered to reach your goal.  For example, I would say “When obstacles get in my way I won’t let that stop me.  I want to continue with my education to provide a good example for my son.”

Grading Rubric: 100 Possible Points

While you are writing your paper, use this as a tool to make sure you are including all of the information I am looking for.  This way you will know exactly what grade you are going to get before you even turn it in.  Circle the amount of points you would give yourself in each section.

Paper Length: 5 points total

4 Full pages = 5 points

3.5 pages = 3.5 points

3 pages = 3 points

2 pages = 2 points

1 page = 1 page

Spelling and Grammar: 5 points total

You used spell check and put effort into the paper = 5 points

You didn’t even bother to use spell check = 0 points

Long Term Career Goal Defined: 5 points total

Yes = 5 points

No = 0 points

Values: 10 points total

5 Values and how they match = 10 points

5 Values without details on how they match = 5 points

4 Values and how they match = 5 points

Less than 4 Values = 0 points

Skills: 10 points total

5 Skills and how they match = 10 points

5 Skills without details on how they match = 5 points

4 Skills and how they match = 5 points

Less than 4 Skills = 0 points

True Colors: 10 points total

Discussion of TWO colors and how they match career choice = 10 points

Discussion of ONE color and how it matches = 5 points

Mention of TWO colors without discussion = 3 points

Mention of ONE color without discussion = 1 point

MBTI: 4-Letter Code: 10 points total

Discussion of 4-letter code, with a definition of each letter individually and how it matches career choice = 10 points

Discussion of 4-letter code, without a definition of each letter individually and how it matches career choice = 4 points

Attempted to answer the question, but didn’t follow directions = 1 point

Strong: 3-Letter RIASEC Code: 10 points total

Discussion of 3-letter code, with a definition of each letter individually and how it matches career choice = 10 points

Discussion of 3-letter code, without a definition of each letter individually and how it matches career choice = 4 points

Mention of 3-letter code with no definition and no relevance to career choice = 1 point

Educational Goal with Date: 10 points total

Clear definition with date = 10 points

Clear definition, no date = 5 points

Unspecific goal with date = 4 points

Unspecific goal with no date = 0 points

Description of Classes from Major: 10 points total

Clear description of two classes = 10 points

Clear description of one class = 5 points

No classes described = 0 points

Link to Catalog: 5 points total

Yes there is a link = 5 points

No there is not a link = 0 points

5 Reasons to empower you: 10 points total

5 reasons described = 10 points

4 reasons described = 8 points

3 reasons described = 6 points

Less than 3 reasons described = 0 points

Your total: out of 100 points

90-100       A

80-89         B

70-79         C

60-69         D

Below 60   F