Section 1

### Overview of Goal Setting and Academic Success - **Research Context**: Morisano's study explored the impact of a goal-setting intervention on academic success among 85 struggling full-time college students. - **Intervention Details**: Students were randomly assigned to either a goal-setting intervention or a general intervention. The goal-setting intervention was conducted online and lasted about two and a half hours. - **Outcome Measures**: Official grades were collected before and after the intervention, and students completed a questionnaire sixteen weeks later. ### Key Findings from the Study - **GPA Improvement**: Students in the goal-setting group had a higher average GPA (2.91) compared to the non-goal group (2.25). - **Class Drop Rates**: The goal group was less likely to drop classes than the non-goal group. - **Emotional Well-being**: Students in the goal group were less likely to experience negative emotions at the end of the study. ### Importance of Goal Setting in Academic Success - **Skill Development**: Goal setting is a crucial skill that can be taught and improved with practice. - **Effectiveness of Instruction**: Brief instruction and support on goal setting can be highly effective, especially for struggling students. - **Evidence from Research**: Studies by Morisano, Travis, and others show a strong link between goal setting and academic performance. ### Components of Effective Goal Setting - **Self-Efficacy**: Belief in one's ability to achieve goals is a key factor in setting and accomplishing challenging goals. - **Successful Experiences**: Keeping track of past accomplishments helps build self-efficacy and confidence in future goals. - **Intrinsic Motivation**: Internal motivation, such as curiosity and interest, is a strong predictor of academic success. - **Commitment and Grit**: Commitment to goals and perseverance in the face of challenges are essential for success, as highlighted by Angela Duckworth's research on grit. ### Characteristics of Effective Goals - **Specificity and Measurability**: Specific goals, such as earning a 4.0 GPA, are more effective than vague goals like "doing your best." - **Progress Monitoring**: Self-reflection and monitoring progress help in making necessary adjustments to achieve goals. - **Action Steps**: Identifying clear action steps related to a goal increases commitment and the likelihood of success. ### Career Pathways and Decision-Making - **Career Exploration**: Courses focused on career exploration improve career decision-making, academic performance, and job satisfaction. - **Parsons’ Framework**: Career decision-making involves self-awareness, understanding career opportunities, and aligning personal and career information. - **Career Pathways**: While specific career goals may not be as important as identifying a broader career pathway, choosing a major that aligns with a career pathway is a critical first step. ### Broader Considerations - **Career Flexibility**: Given the likelihood of changing jobs multiple times in a lifetime, it is important to be flexible and think broadly about career interests. - **Social Networks**: Social influences, such as networks and mentors, play a role in career decision-making and can enhance commitment to goals.

Section 2

### Overview of Career Exploration and Decision-Making - The process of career exploration involves understanding one's values, abilities, personality, and interests. - It is important to match personality and interests with job tasks and work environments to ensure a good fit. - Career exploration includes researching different careers, understanding their requirements, job tasks, salary, and job outlook. - Utilizing a variety of resources such as career websites, informational interviews, and social media can provide a comprehensive understanding of potential careers. ### Understanding Yourself for Career Decision-Making - Self-assessment includes evaluating personal values, abilities, personality, and interests. - Values are essential in determining what matters most in a career. - Abilities encompass both technical skills specific to a career and essential skills such as communication and integrity. - Personality assessments, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Big Five (OCEAN) model, can help understand how one interacts with the world. - Holland’s theory categorizes interests into six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional, often abbreviated as the Holland Code. ### Researching and Exploring Career Options - Researching careers involves gathering information on education, training, job tasks, salary, and job outlook. - National resources like O-Net Online provide general information about careers, though local variations may exist. - Specific salary and job opportunity information can be obtained through location-based resources like Salary.com. - Job search websites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Monster can provide insight into current job requirements and opportunities. ### Engaging with Professionals and Using Social Media - Informational interviews are valuable for gaining insight into a career and can be conducted in person or via video conferencing. - Tips for conducting informational interviews include preparing a list of questions, dressing professionally, and following up with a thank you message. - Social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, offer opportunities to follow professionals and organizations, gaining insights into job duties, personality, and values. - Research has shown that social media can significantly increase knowledge of careers and may even be reviewed by employers during the hiring process. ### Evaluating Information and Making Informed Decisions - It is important to gather information from multiple sources to get a comprehensive understanding of a career. - Personal experiences shared by professionals may not be representative of the entire field, so looking for common themes across multiple sources is recommended. - Career centers at colleges often provide access to interest inventories and other resources that can aid in the career decision-making process. - It is essential to evaluate all information critically, whether from social media, career websites, or personal interviews.