MODULE 4 (continued)

Goals are set on a number of different levels:

1. Decide on what you want to do with your life and what large-scale goals you want to achieve.

2. Break the large, long-term goals into smaller goals that are steps to your lifetime goals and that can be achieved in a relatively short time frame.

3. Once you have your plan, begin working towards achieving it.

Identifying work place goals can increase the knowledge, skills and abilities you gain through that work experience. What you learn on any particular job increases your marketability in the work force. Setting and achieving goals will show your work supervisor that you take your job seriously and that you care about the job and your performance.

Following are three goal setting methods for you to try:

2) SMART Goals Model:

When setting a goal it should be, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Related to your values and Time bound – SMART.

Below are questions to ask the intern while setting the goals.

Keep your objectives reachable within the semester that you’re working.

Specific: What specific task do I want to achieve in this internship?

Measurable: What action steps will I take so I know when I’m done?

Steps

How I will Measure Them

Achievable: Is this goal realistic? Did I give myself enough time to achieve this goal? Are there any other steps I should take?

Related to your Values (and those of your organization). Is it worthy of your time and effort and contributes to your/their overall purpose for existing? List how your goals relate and contribute.

Time Bound: By what date & time will you have this finished?

Task:

Date Time

Final Goal:

3) STAR Goal Setting Model

This simpler goal setting model is particularly useful in achieving short-term goals or accomplishing specific tasks.

STAR Model

Situation – describe the situation or the context for the goal

Task – identify the specific task that you wish to accomplish

Action – list the steps you will take to successfully complete the task and your timeline for completing them

Reward – how will you acknowledge the achievement of this goal?

For example:

Situation - The office you are working in has had a tremendous increase in the number of people utilizing the services offered by the office and it is getting harder and harder to keep track of everybody.

Task – Develop an excel spreadsheet to track individuals’ progress in completing the program within the specified time frame.

Action –

Identify the specific elements that need tracking(i.e. name, address, phone, student ID number, application complete, etc.).

Input fields in spreadsheet by Friday March 10.

Ask co-workers to review the spreadsheet to determine completeness and efficiency on Monday and Tuesday

“Test” the spreadsheet for two weeks to determine its completeness and efficiency – March 15 – 29

Make necessary revisions – March 30

Fully implement use of spreadsheet as standard office procedure – April 3

Reward – other than the altruistic reward for making the process easier and more efficient for yourself and your co-workers, you could celebrate by bringing in a food treat for the office staff or a personal favorite and/or buy yourself a grande double shot marble mocha macchiato from your favorite coffee joint.

4) Cooperative Work Experience Education Objectives

The purpose of a Cooperative Education course is to encourage the intern to seek new learning opportunities on the job that will make him/her a more efficient and valuable employee. Interns enrolled in a Co-op class earn units and must identify learning objectives, much like goal setting. This is an opportunity to develop new skills that may be valuable to the intern, as well as meet the needs of the internship site.

Three learning objectives which reflect new or expanded job-related responsibilities must be written by the student, then reviewed and approved by the employment supervisor and the Co-op instructor at the beginning of the semester. The objectives must be demanding, measurable and attainable. The Co-op instructor will discuss progress made in accomplishing the objectives with the intern supervisor and the student. From this evaluation, the successful completion of the objectives, and the other program requirements, the Co-op instructor will grant academic credit (letter grade). The employer and the college will provide supervision and guidance to insure maximum educational benefit from this work experience.

The student completes a ‘practice objectives worksheet’ by answering the following four questions for each objective (total of three objectives):

1. What is the task to be completed?

2. How will it be accomplished?

3. How will it be measured/evaluated/rated, and by whom?

4. When will it be completed?

Samples of objectives are below:

Objective #1: Demonstrate skills and abilities in budget planning. To be accomplished by maintaining an MS Excel spreadsheet for each month. To be evaluated by the supervisor. To be completed by May, 10, 2007.

Objective #2: Demonstrate skills and knowledge required to process orders for new materials. To be accomplished by reviewing the established policies and procedures. To be evaluated by the supervisor. To be completed by May, 10, 2007.

Objective #3: Demonstrate improved skills and abilities in providing customer service. To be accomplished by researching proven techniques for providing quality customer service. To be evaluated by the supervisor. To be completed by May, 10, 2007.

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	MODULE 4 (continued) [Back] [Previous page] Goals are set on a number of different levels: 1. Decide on what you want to do with your life and what large-scale goals you want to achieve. 2. Break the large, long-term goals into smaller goals that are steps to your lifetime goals and that can be achieved in a relatively short time frame. 3. Once you have your plan, begin working towards achieving it. Identifying work place goals can increase the knowledge, skills and abilities you gain through that work experience. What you learn on any particular job increases your marketability in the work force. Setting and achieving goals will show your work supervisor that you take your job seriously and that you care about the job and your performance. Following are three goal setting methods for you to try: 2) SMART Goals Model: When setting a goal it should be, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Related to your values and Time bound – SMART. Below are questions to ask the intern while setting the goals. Keep your objectives reachable within the semester that you’re working. Specific: What specific task do I want to achieve in this internship? Measurable: What action steps will I take so I know when I’m done? Steps How I will Measure Them Achievable: Is this goal realistic? Did I give myself enough time to achieve this goal? Are there any other steps I should take? Related to your Values (and those of your organization). Is it worthy of your time and effort and contributes to your/their overall purpose for existing? List how your goals relate and contribute. Time Bound: By what date & time will you have this finished? Task: Date Time Final Goal: 3) STAR Goal Setting Model This simpler goal setting model is particularly useful in achieving short-term goals or accomplishing specific tasks. STAR Model Situation – describe the situation or the context for the goal Task – identify the specific task that you wish to accomplish Action – list the steps you will take to successfully complete the task and your timeline for completing them Reward – how will you acknowledge the achievement of this goal? For example: Situation - The office you are working in has had a tremendous increase in the number of people utilizing the services offered by the office and it is getting harder and harder to keep track of everybody. Task – Develop an excel spreadsheet to track individuals’ progress in completing the program within the specified time frame. Action – Identify the specific elements that need tracking(i.e. name, address, phone, student ID number, application complete, etc.). Input fields in spreadsheet by Friday March 10. Ask co-workers to review the spreadsheet to determine completeness and efficiency on Monday and Tuesday “Test” the spreadsheet for two weeks to determine its completeness and efficiency – March 15 – 29 Make necessary revisions – March 30 Fully implement use of spreadsheet as standard office procedure – April 3 Reward – other than the altruistic reward for making the process easier and more efficient for yourself and your co-workers, you could celebrate by bringing in a food treat for the office staff or a personal favorite and/or buy yourself a grande double shot marble mocha macchiato from your favorite coffee joint. 4) Cooperative Work Experience Education Objectives The purpose of a Cooperative Education course is to encourage the intern to seek new learning opportunities on the job that will make him/her a more efficient and valuable employee. Interns enrolled in a Co-op class earn units and must identify learning objectives, much like goal setting. This is an opportunity to develop new skills that may be valuable to the intern, as well as meet the needs of the internship site. Three learning objectives which reflect new or expanded job-related responsibilities must be written by the student, then reviewed and approved by the employment supervisor and the Co-op instructor at the beginning of the semester. The objectives must be demanding, measurable and attainable. The Co-op instructor will discuss progress made in accomplishing the objectives with the intern supervisor and the student. From this evaluation, the successful completion of the objectives, and the other program requirements, the Co-op instructor will grant academic credit (letter grade). The employer and the college will provide supervision and guidance to insure maximum educational benefit from this work experience. The student completes a ‘practice objectives worksheet’ by answering the following four questions for each objective (total of three objectives): 1. What is the task to be completed? 2. How will it be accomplished? 3. How will it be measured/evaluated/rated, and by whom? 4. When will it be completed? Samples of objectives are below: Objective #1: Demonstrate skills and abilities in budget planning. To be accomplished by maintaining an MS Excel spreadsheet for each month. To be evaluated by the supervisor. To be completed by May, 10, 2007. Objective #2: Demonstrate skills and knowledge required to process orders for new materials. To be accomplished by reviewing the established policies and procedures. To be evaluated by the supervisor. To be completed by May, 10, 2007. Objective #3: Demonstrate improved skills and abilities in providing customer service. To be accomplished by researching proven techniques for providing quality customer service. To be evaluated by the supervisor. To be completed by May, 10, 2007. [Back]