INTERESTS AND APTITUDES

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In this session, participants will define and identify personal interests and aptitudes and relate those interests and aptitudes to possible future careers.

Category

  • Character
  • College and Career Prep

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify interests and aptitudes that could lead to a future career.

Supplies

  • Zeroing in on My Interests activity sheet—make a copy for each participant
  • Focusing on My Attitudes activity sheet—make a copy for each participant
  • Pen or pencil for each participant

Advisor Note

Text in italics should be read aloud to participants. As you engage your post in activities each week, please include comments, discussions, and feedback to the group relating to Character, Leadership, and Ethics. These are important attributes that make a difference in the success of youth in the workplace and in life.

Activity 1

ZEROING IN ON MY INTERESTS

Give each Explorer a Zeroing in on My Interests activity sheet. Explain that this activity is one method of identifying interests. Ask Explorers to reflect on what they have done outside of school time during the last seven days. Then have them write down the things they did during their leisure time each day for the last week.

 

After Explorers have had sufficient time to list their leisure-time activities for all seven days, ask them to review their lists. Have them place a check mark by activities on the list that appear more than twice; these should be written under “Frequent Activities.” Then ask them to review their lists again and place a star by activities that appear more than four times. These should be listed under “Favorite Activities.” In groups of three or four, allow them to share their lists and brainstorm possible careers that are related to their interests. After a brief period of time, have a few volunteers share examples of their frequent activities, interests, and possible careers.

Activity 2

FOCUSING ON MY APTITUDES

Give each Explorer a Focusing on My Aptitudes activity sheet. Ask them to review the seven headings and circle the items they feel they do well in each area, filling in specifics as needed. Usually, participants need encouragement to identify areas in which they excel. After a sufficient period of time, ask Explorers to reflect on each topic and then list under “My Main Aptitudes” the ones that they feel are their strongest. After they have finished, have them gather in groups of three or four to brainstorm occupations related to the main aptitudes of everyone in their group. Each Explorer should then list the occupations relevant to them under “Possible Careers” on their own worksheets. After a brief period of time, have a few volunteers share examples of their main aptitudes and possible careers.

Advisor Note

Some sample questions are below. They are designed to help the participants apply what they have learned to their own interests. You are welcome to use these questions or develop your own questions that relate to your post or specific focus area.

Reflection

Focusing Questions

  • What is the difference between aptitudes and interests?
  • How are they related to each other?

Analysis Questions

  • What did you learn about your interests and how they might lead to a career?
  • How might you use this in your potential career?

Generalization Questions

  • Based on these activities, what lesson will you take away for yourself?
  • How might you use this in life or in college?
  • Why is this important?