Creative, Critical, and Reflective Thinking Notes

Topic Overview: Creative, Critical, and Reflective Thinking

  • Introduction to the week’s topic focusing on enhancing critical, creative, and reflective thinking skills.
  • Importance of these skills in relation to assessments and overall educational growth.

Announcements

  • Class Representatives:

    • The course is looking for two class reps to voice student interests regarding workloads and assessments.
    • Informal meetings with the program director scheduled for Weeks 4 and 8.
    • Interested students should send an email with details (student ID, program, name) using their student email.

  • UniSA Careers Expo:

    • Scheduled for March, free event but requires registration.
    • Location: Adelaide Convention Center, 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
    • Great opportunity for networking, exploring career options, securing internships, or graduate jobs.

  • UniSA Careers Hub:

    • Offers resources and workshops on resume writing, networking, etc.
    • Students should explore the Career Hub's resources early in their degree journey.
    • Workshops provide valuable skills for career preparation, especially towards the end of the degree.

Career Mentor Program

  • Overview:
    • A free program linking students with industry professionals to prepare for the workforce.
    • Mentors help with career advice and enhancing professional relationships.
  • Benefits:
    • Personal growth and understanding of self in relation to career aspirations.
    • Opportunity to ask questions and gain insights from industry experience.

Course Expectations

  • Preparation:

    • Engage with all topic materials (recordings, readings) before attending classes.
    • Come prepared to class to participate in discussions and activities meaningfully.

  • Assessments Overview:

    • Total of three assessments: two parts each for assessments one and two, plus a portfolio for continuous assessment.
    • Assessment One - Oral Presentation:
    • 3-minute presentation covering:
      1. Personal introduction and marketing experiences.
      2. Inspirations (personal/professional).
      3. Career aspirations (short and long-term).
    • Practice is crucial; students should rehearse and record themselves.
    • Internal students present between Weeks 3 to 5; external students submit by Week 4.
    • Assessment Two - Written Reflection:
    • Due Week 6, involves reflecting on self-assessment quizzes and professional learning.
    • Encourage exploring resources from the UniSA Careers Hub.

Importance of Self-Reflection and Personal Development

  • The course is dedicated to helping students identify their passions and career aspirations.
  • Introducing the concept of Ikigai:
    • A Japanese term for finding life's purpose through overlap of four areas:
    1. What you love.
    2. What you are good at.
    3. What the world needs.
    4. What you can be paid for.
    • Students encouraged to discover their unique place within these overlaps to guide their career paths.

Career Planning and Growth

  • UniSA’s Career Plan:
    • Designed to help students prepare for the workforce by establishing clear goals throughout their degrees.
    • Focus on building practical skills, developing career networks, and preparing effective career documents (resumes, cover letters).
  • Encouragement for students to reassess their progress and set actionable, achievable goals to remain motivated and reflective throughout their journey.

Inspirational Video on Career Choices

  • Emphasis on pursuing passions rather than chasing money alone.
  • Important to explore what individuals truly desire from their careers and find enjoyment in their working lives.
  • Creating actionable steps in alignment with intrinsic motivations and values.