Tag Archives: skills development

Jun 8 2019

Non-Financial Goals to Save Money

While many savings, investment, and retirement plans are available to achieve financial goals, other actions are possible to achieve personal ambitions. Financial advisors and counselors also recommend these actions:

  • Learn a new skill, which can result in time away from shopping or expanding your career and income potential.
  • Invest in friendships that does not involve a major monetary requirement as many free and low-cost activities are available.
  • Participate in a reading challenge at your local library or through a community organization.
  • Create art by getting involved with writing, photography, drawing, or sculpture through a community-based group.

Many activities are available to invest your time and energy without spending much money.

For additional information on non-financial goals, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students list free and low-cost activities that can enhance personal and career development.
  • Have students talk to others for additional suggestions for free and cost-cost personal and career development activities.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What factors might a person consider when selecting an activity to enhance personal and career development?
  2. Describe personal development activities that could result in enhanced career and income potential.
May 17 2014

Developing Career Capital and Achieving Success

Most career planning experts believe that “career capital” is vital for success.  Career capital refers to differentiated skills that are both rare and valuable, and usually involve creativity, impact, control, or autonomy. A great job requires that you can offer something of value. Factors that contribute to building career capital include:

  •  an attitude of “what can I offer the world and my company?”
  • understanding what’s valuable in your career field by seeking varied expert opinions
  • continuing to expand your skill set
  • obtaining feedback to gain knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses
  • setting priorities on what will benefit your career
  • creating goals appropriate to your career stage

For additional information about developing career capital, go to

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2013/05/22/7-steps-to-developing-career-capital-and-achieving-success/

Discussion Questions

  1. Why are some people more successful in their careers than others?
  2. What factors might be used to measure career success?
  3. How might a person better prepare for future career success?

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students create a list of attitudes, behaviors, and skills that they believe are important for career success.
  • Ask students to explain actions they are currently taking to enhance their future career success.