SETTING YOUR EDUCATIONAL GOALS

What will I learn?

    How to think about and decide what you want from your educationHow to research jobs and careers to help you choose your educational pathWhat resources will help you make important decisions about your education

Setting your educational goals involves asking yourself some important questions about your future. What purpose do you want your education to serve? Is it a way to achieve a specific goal – for example, a way to get a better job? Is it an opportunity for personal growth? Or both?

Going through some of the questions below may make it easier to make a decision and help you get a clear idea of the goals you want to reach. Often there are several answers to a question, so making lists can help you organize your thoughts and priorities.

  1. Creating a strong plan for your personal educational journey

    1. Step 1: Assess your background, skills and talents.

    2. Step 2: Determine which careers match your strengths and goals

    3. Step 3: Research the qualifications, education, licenses, and/or certificates your desired field requires

    4. Step 4: Research any job barriers you may face because of your arrest or conviction history

    5. Step 5: Set yourself up for stability and success by planning for practical needs

    6. Step 6: Get assessed to determine your educational and learning needs

    7. Step 7: Collect identification documents and other records required for attending school

  2. How your criminal record and incarceration may affect your educational goals

    1. If I am still incarcerated. what barriers might I face in pursuing my education?

    2. If I am under federal, state, or county supervision, what barriers might I face?

    3. I am required to register as a sex offender. How this will affect going back to school?

    4. If I have completed my sentence, and I’m off supervision, what barriers might I still face?

  3. How to choose the educational path that meets your specific educational goals

    1. Once everything is considered, how do I start finding the educational program that is right for me?

    2. Can I be denied acceptance to an educational program or institution because of my criminal history?

    3. Do I need to disclose my juvenile record when applying to different educational programs?