Follow the SODA Steps to Career Success!

S Self Awareness: Understanding yourself based on interest, abilities, values and achievement test results. Ask questions like:

• Who are you? What do you love to do?
• What excites you? What is boring to you?
• What are your favorite classes? Why?
• Do you feel like you have a special purpose in life? What is it?
• What make you unique?

O Option Awareness: Understanding and realizing all the career, education, employment and training opportunities from which to choose. Ask questions like:

• What careers have you already explored?
• What are other career areas (related or unrelated) to what you’ve already explored?
• What education/training options are available to you?
• What kind of training and education are you willing to pursue?

D Decision Making: Determine the match between yourself and your opportunities. What is the best fit for you? Ask questions like:

• When you predict where you want to be after high school, what are you doing?
• What steps do you need to get there? What kind of education/training do you need?
• How are you making money to support yourself—housing, food, entertainment, etc.?
• Which courses should you take to help you gain the proper skills, knowledge and training?
• What kind of experiences will help you grow closer to your goals?

A Action/Planning: Identify and record steps toward your goal on your Educational Development Plan (EDP). Ask questions like:

• Have you created, reviewing and/or updated your EDP?
• Is your EDP still accurate?
• From new learning and experiences this year, what do you need to change on your EDP?

For questions about SODA, please contact Brandy or Liz.