Personal Life & Career Planning Course (EDUC 121)

EDUC 121 is not only about the types of careers that exist, but more importantly about who you are and how you will fit into these fields.

Students in classroom
Students learn about themselves and how to best prepare and plan for the world outside of the classroom.

Personal Life and Career Planning (EDUC 121) is a two-credit, elective course designed to teach students the process of decision making and the application of this process to career and life choices. This course is offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, plus check out the Study Abroad & Away Office page for details on our next section abroad.

NOTE: This course does not fulfill core requirements.

Why Take EDUC 121?

  • To assist you in selecting a major
  • To help you to develop a sense of career directionality and confidence
  • To link a choice of major with possible career options
  • To improve your awareness of the world of work and the requirements and strategies for success
  • To improve your decision-making skills and confidence
  • To take action toward achieving satisfactory life planning, in the context of a decision making format
  • To earn two elective credits toward your degree

“ The resources used really helped me understand myself personally, my preferences, and where I wanted to fit in to the workforce. This experience ultimately led me to choose to pursue my master's degree in counseling and the class provided me with the professional skills and experience to successfully do so. I would recommend this class to all students! ”

Megan Dejter, TU Graduate Student

Sample of Course Topics

  • Taking Stock of Skills
  • Values Clarification
  • Personality and Interests
  • Making Decisions
  • Targeting Your Job Search
  • Preparing a Winning Resume
  • Interviewing Effectively
  • Networking

Course Purpose and Objectives

EDUC 121 enables students to understand their role in the world of work, develop a sense of career directionality and maturity, explore concepts related to successful career choice, and begin to take action toward achieving satisfactory life planning, in the context of decision making.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the context in which career-related decisions are made in the 21st century
  • Describe and use a model for making decisions and transitions that can be applied repeatedly throughout life
  • Describe personal characteristics identified through knowledge of Holland Codes, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, values inventory, and textbook exercises
  • Identify a group of occupations that meet the criteria suggested by these characteristics and goals
  • Discuss elements of ideal job and workplace
  • Develop primary and alternative academic or career objectives
  • Learn and apply skills that will assist in the job-search process
  • Identify, visit, and use various career resources available