Module One: Asset-Based Career Assessment and Planning Strategies
Overview
In this module, we will explore the concept of asset-based assessment and career planning and using the person-centered career planning model as a way of structuring career planning and employment services. We will learn how to identify customer strengths and what is working and how to use this information to support empowered job search and ongoing learning. You will also be introduced to the tools and structures of the overall program, including tools for reflective practice and peer learning.
At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to:
Describe person-centered approach to assessment and career planning
Describe principles of asset-based assessment and planning.
Describe the benefits and challenges of an asset-based approach. .
Discuss how asset-based assessment and planning support job seekers in developing their readiness for employment.
Identify and discuss asset-based assessment tools and practices and how to use them with job seekers who have disabilities.
Demonstrate the use of asset-based assessment tools and planning processes.
This page includes links to the handouts from class as well as follow-up links and materials for further exploration.
What we focus on, grows. Asset-based assessment and planning encourages us to focus on positives so that we can create a more inspiring, motivating relationship with customers. It forces us to keep asking ourselves the question, "How can I attend to the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the people I work with?"
Dorothy O'Beirne's Revision to Ideal Work Day Worksheet
Dorothy made some revisions to the initial worksheet to get more details and information from her participants. You can download her version below.
Part of the asset-based approach is the idea of using our experiences to learn, building in opportunities for reflection on what we experience as opportunities to learn more about who we are and what we want. We can use past experience as an initial assessment to guide us in planning and we can also use ongoing experiences and reflection to help us revise and evolve our plans.
Peer networks can be a great aid to career assessment and planning. As employment specialists, we are in a unique position to not only engage families and professional staff, we can also help connect our customers to other peers for support, insight and encouragement.
Select a strategy or tool from our class discussions today to try out with a job seeker customer. Use the tool/strategy and then write a journal entry that addresses the following:
Brief background on customer
What strategy/tool did you use? Why did you select it to use with this customer?
What happened when you used it? Describe the experience.
What would you do the same/differently if you used the tool/strategy again?
Module One: Asset-Based Career Assessment and Planning Strategies
Overview
In this module, we will explore the concept of asset-based assessment and career planning and using the person-centered career planning model as a way of structuring career planning and employment services. We will learn how to identify customer strengths and what is working and how to use this information to support empowered job search and ongoing learning. You will also be introduced to the tools and structures of the overall program, including tools for reflective practice and peer learning.At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to:
This page includes links to the handouts from class as well as follow-up links and materials for further exploration.
The Person Centered-Approach
Institute for Community Inclusion article on Person-Centered Planning
Asset-Based Strategies and Tools
1. Prime the Pump with Positivity
What we focus on, grows. Asset-based assessment and planning encourages us to focus on positives so that we can create a more inspiring, motivating relationship with customers. It forces us to keep asking ourselves the question, "How can I attend to the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the people I work with?"Dorothy O'Beirne's Revision to Ideal Work Day Worksheet
Dorothy made some revisions to the initial worksheet to get more details and information from her participants. You can download her version below.
Vision Boards
Inspirational Interview
Personal Commandments
Values Auction
2. Build on Experiences
Part of the asset-based approach is the idea of using our experiences to learn, building in opportunities for reflection on what we experience as opportunities to learn more about who we are and what we want. We can use past experience as an initial assessment to guide us in planning and we can also use ongoing experiences and reflection to help us revise and evolve our plans.Journaling
Experimentation
3. Build Positive Habits
Part of reaching our goals and continually planning for success is developing positive habits that support ongoing assessment and planning.4. Connect to Positive Peers
Peer networks can be a great aid to career assessment and planning. As employment specialists, we are in a unique position to not only engage families and professional staff, we can also help connect our customers to other peers for support, insight and encouragement.Homework
Select a strategy or tool from our class discussions today to try out with a job seeker customer. Use the tool/strategy and then write a journal entry that addresses the following: