Values and Degree Planning
Stop and Think!
How do you feel about your readiness to create an academic and life plan? Take this quick survey to figure it out, ranking questions on a scale of 1–4, 1 meaning “least like me” and 4 meaning “most like me.”
Why did you answer the way you did?
“In every single thing you do, you are choosing a direction. Your life is a product of choices.”— Dr. Kathleen Hall, CEO of the Stress Institute and Mindful Living Network
Your Personal Values
This is called a “core values exercise” and is often used in professional trainings and coaching. From the following list, select the FIVE values that are most important to you personally. Write them down; you will need them for Part 2 of this week’s lesson and discussion.
| Achievement | Efficiency | Hard Work | Positivity |
| Adventure | Empathy | Health | Security |
| Ambition | Equality | Honesty | Selflessness |
| Balance | Excellence | Honor | Service |
| Belonging | Exploration | Humility | Simplicity |
| Calm | Fairness | Independence | Spontaneity |
| Challenge | Faith | Intelligence | Stability |
| Commitment | Family | Joy | Strength |
| Community | Fitness | Justice | Success |
| Competition | Flexibility | Love | Trustworthiness |
| Contribution | Freedom | Loyalty | Understanding |
| Control | Friends | Making a Difference | Uniqueness |
| Creativity | Fun | Merit | Diversity |
| Curiosity | Generosity | Openness | Happiness |
| Dependability | Growth | Originality | Perfection |
Reflect
Recall a decision that you have recently made (for example, a smaller decision about how to spend your Saturday, or maybe a larger decision about where to apply for part-time work). Did the values you identified through the previous exercise influence that decision? If so, how? If not, why do you think that is?
Goals and Planning: Your Pathways Plan
Look back at the Pathways Plan you’ve been working on in your weekly journal assignment. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I meeting my short-term goals as planned?
- If so, celebrate!
- If not, it may be time to re-evaluate your short- and long-term goals and make adjustments.
- Are my short-term goals still planned across time in a way that they will help me reach my long-term goals?
- If so, continue on your path.
- If not, reconsider the steps you need to take to meet your long-term goal. If you’ve gotten off track or if you’ve learned that other steps must be taken, set new short-term goals with timelines appropriate to each step. You may also want to seek some additional advice from others who have successfully met long-term goals that are similar to your own.
- Are my long-term goals still relevant, or have my values changed since I set my goals?
- If your goals are still relevant to your interests and values, then continue on your path, seeking advice and support as needed to stay on track.
- If your goals are no longer relevant or aligned with your values, give careful consideration to setting new goals.
Planning Your Degree Path
Look up your degree in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and identify what degree it generally requires.
- Associates degrees=60 credits
- Bachelor’s degrees=120 credits
- Graduate degrees
- Master’s=30-60 additional credits
- Doctoral degrees (Only 3.5% of U.S. population—90-120 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree)
- Credentials and certificates
General Education
General Education courses, called “GEM” courses in Idaho, are a significant part of most degree programs. These are also sometimes called the “core curriculum.” They represent the courses required in order to provide students with a broad education across multiple fields of study, such as written communication, oral communication, math, science, social science, and the humanities. The GEM badge that you completed in Module 7 helped familiarize you with the value of these courses and with the fact that GEM courses are transferable across all public colleges and universities across Idaho. As you plan out your GEM courses, look carefully for any that might have prerequisites so you can plan ahead for those. Your advisor can help with this, as well as with recommendations for GEM courses that might be particularly useful for your future career plans.
Making a Plan
Academic Planning Readiness Checklist
Review the checklist below and mark each item that is true for you. For those you cannot yet answer, consult your instructor, academic advisor, or college website to locate these important details.
- I know the total number of credits required to graduate from my program.
- I know the difference between general education, major, and elective classes.
- I know whether I am required to take preparatory or developmental courses in math and English, and whether these courses will count among my total credits toward my degree.
- I am aware of the special requirements of my major (if any) and the prerequisites I must complete.
- I am aware of the minimum entry requirements for my desired career field and know whether I should be preparing to plan for a graduate degree as well.
