(Goals + Plans = Success)

Prepared by Michele Jersak, Century College Counselor and MnSCU GPS LifePlan Coordinator

Scenarios for Application and Discussion

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Scenario 1 – Claire K.Displaced homemaker after 15 years of marriageLocation: Metropolitan Area, MN Age: 35 Previous education: GED and 10 semester credits earned in her early 20’sDependents: Son (6 yrs)

Situational

• Readjust to a new budget

• Determine resources to finance education

• Seek funding for after school day care

• Needs more affordable housing and transportation

• Requires legal resources for pursuing child support

Transition Needs:

Educational and Career

•Assess how her interests, values, skills, and personality align with various fields

•Explore labor market needs and job opportunities in the Metro Area

•Research which education programs prepare her for the chosen career path

•Determine how previous credit applies toward her chosen education path

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GPS LifePlan Resources for Claire

• FinancePlan: Create a budget

• FinancePlan: Financing options for her education

• LeadershipPlan: Leadership style assessment

• PersonalPlan: Child care options

• PersonalPlan: Housing resources

• PersonalPlan: Legal resources

• CareerPlan: Career assessments

• CareerPlan: Career exploration

• CareerPlan: Exploring education options

• EducationPlan: Determining education goals

• EducationPlan: Transfer information for credit review

• EducationPlan: Time management

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Scenario 2 – Danny T.U.S. Army Veteran (Five Years Service)Location: St. CloudAge: 28Previous education: High school diploma and military trainingDependent: Spouse and Daughters (2 and 5 yrs)

Situational

• Returned from service working as automotive production supervisor past 4 years

• Currently laid off, has wife, two children, and mortgage – needs retraining

• Eligible for unemployment benefits and has severance package

• Severance package includes 6 months training benefit

• Needs to explore other state, federal, and VA displaced worker/training programs

Transition Needs:

Educational and Career

• Investigate what and where are the job opportunities in the St. Cloud area

• Explore educational programs closely related to his military/professional experience

• Determine where to get maximum education credit for military/professional work

• Struggles with test anxiety – needs to explore strategies

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GPS LifePlan Resources for Danny

• FinancePlan: Veteran’s benefits

• FinancePlan: Seeking financial help

• LeadershipPlan: Leadership philosophy

• PersonalPlan: Grief and loss

• PersonalPlan: Managing stress

• PersonalPlan: Change and resiliency

• CareerPlan: Career networking

• CareerPlan: Training options

• CareerPlan: Exploring education options

• EducationPlan: Determining education goals

• EducationPlan: Transfer information for credit review

• EducationPlan: Test preparation and anxiety

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Scenario 3 – Sonja S.First semester studentLocation: Duluth, originally from St. PaulAge: 18Previous education: Recent high school graduateDependent: None

Situational

• Having roommate difficulties

• Has many questions about relationships

• Has been feeling lethargic and unmotivated after the first 10 weeks of the term

• Parents financial situation has changed and so she needs to find a PT job

• Feeling home sick and missing her hometown community

Transition Needs:

Educational and Career

• Is undecided – needs to learn more about herself and explore her options

• Decide which classes to take next semester even though she is undecided

• Struggling with her academics, needs to learn more about academic support,

learning styles, and study skills

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GPS LifePlan Resources for Sonja S.

• FinancePlan: Financial aid

• FinancePlan: Tax related benefits

• LeadershipPlan: Campus involvement

• PersonalPlan: Roommate tips

• PersonalPlan: Managing stress

• PersonalPlan: Depression screening test

• CareerPlan: Exploring education options

• CareerPlan: Job postings

• CareerPlan: Resume and interviewing

• EducationPlan: Determining education goals

• EducationPlan: Study skills and strategies

• EducationPlan: Learning styles assessment

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Scenario 4 – StephenCollege Athlete: Transfer student

Age: 21

Previous education: High Diploma and has transfer credits for three other schools

Situational

• From Bemidji originally and was recruited to out-of-state university on an athletic scholarship – did not like being out of state• Completed some online courses, struggled but wants to take more• Needs to seek resources to finance education• Undecided in career and major• In a serious relationship but having difficulties• Would like to further develop leadership skills – enjoys leadership roles

Transition Needs:

Educational and Career

•Assess how his interests, values, skills, and personality align with various fields

•Research which education programs prepare his for the chosen career path

•Determine how previous transfer credits applies towards chosen degree

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GPS LifePlan Resources for Stephen

• FinancePlan: Financial Aid

• FinancePlan: Scholarships

• LeadershipPlan: Leadership philosophy

• LeadershipPlan: Leadership resources

• PersonalPlan: Managing stress

• PersonalPlan: Personal relationships

• PersonalPlan: Change and resiliency

• CareerPlan: Career networking

• CareerPlan: Exploring education options

• EducationPlan: Determining education goals

• EducationPlan: Transfer information for credit review

• EducationPlan: Online Learning Skills

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Small Group Discussion

• How might you use the GPS LifePlan in the work you do with students or others?

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Small Group Discussion

• How might the GPS LifePlan be used on an institution or organizational level to better serve the needs of your students or clients?

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Small Group Discussion

• What resources (staff, finances, services, programs, etc.) could be leveraged at your institution or organization to support the use of this program?

Thank you for your participation!