Reflections on Career A Workbook and an Invitation to Explore
Acknowledgement: Inspired by a 2013 Messiah College career center questionnaire: Managing Transitions, William Bridges, Ph.D. Copyright Scott Downs and Gerald Doyle 2022
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Contents Introduction9 Grounding15 Gathering31 Assembling45 Walking61 Drawing 73 From the founders of Tri Cosain 76 Resources referenced 78 Notes and reflections 79
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Introduction This workbook offers participants in the Tri Coasain practice a series of questions for reflection on our career journeys. Tri Coasin, from the Irish Gaelic “three pathways” is an invitation to reflect on the integrated weave of inspiration, life and career. What inspires you? How do you want to be abundantly creative and of ser- vice in the world? And what are the learning journeys you have set for yourself as you seek to bring your inspiration to life? There are no right or wrong answers to any of these questions. For some of them, you may feel very comfortable about the answers, for others much less so. Some of them may attract you for further in- vestigation, others, again, less so. The questions in this workbook are in each case offerings and invitations, and not in any way a basis for evaluation or judgment. In each case, we invite you to consider your level of comfort and clar- ity with the question on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is very clear and comfortable, and 1 is very much at sea. And, similarly, we invite you to assess your level of curiosity about the question, where 10 is insatiably curious and 1 is not curious at all - at the moment. Finally, in each case we offer you space to write about your reflections and insights. Please be invited to link these observations to images or artefacts you keep, perhaps on your Vision Board if you have one, or in your Vision Box, or other reflections, metaphors, images, or draw- ings you retain in your journal. 9
We hope these questions will spark dialogue and learning journeys in partnership with other members of the Tri Cosain community, includ- ing with a Tri Cosain coach if you have one. Please be invited to engage with other elements of the Tri Cosain re- source base, including 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work, the nine companion volumes diving deeper into each of the nine ques- tions, and Conversations of Inquiry. A listing of these resources and where you can find them is offered at the end of the workbook. Questions, feedback and insights are always welcome at gerald@tri- cosain.com and wsdowns3@gmail.com 10
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The purpose of these questions isn’t to construct a theory, A hypothesis about how or why … The purpose is to help you notice the shape of what lies before you. The answers to these questions may be nothing more than Noticing the effect of asking them. -Verlyn Klingenborg Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. - Rainer Maria Rilke 13
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Grounding 15
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I am able to articulate three to five personal strengths or talents that relate to my future career. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further. 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q1 Inspiration, Q4 Stances, states and qualities of mind 17
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I am confident about my choices for my current program of studies as the foundation for my professional career. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further. 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q3 Learning journeys 19
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Through discernment and lived experiences, I am confident about the direction of my personal vocation and career. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q1 Inspiration, Q8 Being a maker 21
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I have completed at least one self- assessment inventory (personality, skills, values), which has informed the direction of my future vocational practice. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q3 Learning journeys, Q9 Journeys of transformation 23
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I can name at least two or three specific experiences from my past (vocation, volunteer activities, professional experiences, academic studies, etc.) that have influenced my vocation or career goals. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q1 Inspiration ,Q3 Learning journeys 25
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I have two or three mentors or role models who served or will serve as guides in the pursuit of my academic studies and the formation and direction of my career. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q2 Relationships, communities and dialogue 27
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I am aware of the resources and opportunities available to me through career services offered by my school, community, college or university. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q3 Learning journeys 29
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Gathering 31
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I have identified at least one out-of- class experience in which I plan to become involved (e.g., internships (i.e., work study), assistantships, student organizations, volunteer work, professional organizations, etc.). I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q2 Relationships, communities and dialogue, Q3 Learning journeys 33
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I have identified two intensive experiential opportunities, appropriate to me, that I can complete prior to my next graduation or matriculation which will serve to develop a range of marketable and transferable skills. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q2 Relationships, communities and dialogue, Q3 Learning journeys Q4 Stances, states and qualities of mind, Q5 Journeys of transformation 35
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I have conducted at least one job shadowing or informational interview experience with a professional in a field or practice that I am seriously considering for my future. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q2 Relationships, communities and dialogue, Q3 Learning journeys 37
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I have personally researched at least two to three career fields I am considering (e.g., typical job duties, skills/experiences/training required, job outlook, average salary, etc.). I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q2 Relationships, communities and dialogue, Q4 Learning journeys, Q8 Being a maker 39
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I have identified at least two to three people within my school, university or local community (e.g., faculty member, alumni, classmate, advisor, career coach, staff directors, mentor, etc.) with whom I can have ongoing conversations about my vocational and career path. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q2 Relationships, communities and dialogue 41
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I have participated in or scheduled a career coaching appointment through a career service at my school, college, university or community. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q2 Relationships, communities and dialogue, Q9 Journeys of trans- formation 43
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Assembling 45
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I have created (and received feedback) for a professional profile on LinkedIn. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q4 Stances, states and qualities of mind 47
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I have followed LinkedIn pages for five to seven relevant professional organizations and/or future employers. I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about my answer to this question. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ Not clear at all Very clear and confident I am curious to work on exploring this question further 10 ☐ 123456789 ☐☐ ☐ ☐☐ ☐ ☐ ☐☐ Not curious at the moment Extremely curious and motivated Resources: 9 Questions for Leadership in Life and Work Q3 Learning journeys 49
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