Why of WBL (21)

Did you know?

70% of Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs and if they were given an opportunity to change jobs, they would. A lot of job dissatisfaction stems from the fact that people choose careers almost randomly. Few Americans take the time to identify their strengths, interests, values and passions, and even fewer participate in work-based learning activities that would help them match their self knowledge with different careers pursuits. Students who are exposed to these opportunities and resources are more likely to find fulfilling work. Here is a way to begin or extend that dialog.
Try This:
Before you try Three Lives to Live Activity outlined below, you may want to click on this site and then on how to create
your career vision; this presentation will give you information on the importance of imagination and visioning when making
a career choice.

• Introduce the activity and reasons for it: This exercise is designed to get students thinking not about reality, but thinking about what they would do if they had 3 other lives to lead; if they could be anything, anywhere! It is an exercise in thinking “out of the box”.
• Write them down: Ask students to jot down 3 other lives they would choose if they had this choice. Ask them not to think too much, but to quickly write down their three most outrageous ideas.
• Discuss and reflect: With a partner or in a small group, have students explain their ideas and what those ideas tell them about their present or future life choices. How will they use this information in the future?
• Assign students the online lesson “Follow Your Passion” to help them identify things they love to do.

Want More?
If you are wondering why or how work-based learning (WBL) activities could be useful in your courses, consider how WBL
could provide opportunities for outcomes based activities; contribute to deep learning experiences; or help students build
significant learning events. WBL provides opportunities to do things that help students connect and apply information they
are learning in their courses to the new world of work.
Want Credit?
If you are taking this class for credit or staff development hours, please respond to this email and answer the following
questions: How did you use the activity outlined above, If I had Three Live? What were the outcomes? In addition, after
reviewing the links in the want more section, why are work-based learning activities appropriate for your students?
Quik Quote:
The place to start looking for the job you will love, though, is within yourself. It’s in there; you just have to find it.
McDonald and Hutcheson: Don’t Waste Your Talent