Veteran Workforce Development Program
THE VETERAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Is a comprehensive initiative designed to empower military members transitioning to civilian life and veterans seeking to re-enter the workforce.
PROGRAMS
Program Structure:
The program is structured around five core competency domains, each crucial for success in the civilian workforce. We utilize a blended learning approach, combining the benefits of a flipped classroom model with both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning experiences to ensure maximum flexibility and engagement.
Flipped Classroom Model: This model emphasizes pre-class preparation. Before each two-hour synchronous session, participants will engage with pre-recorded videos, readings, and other resources. This allows participants to come to the live session prepared to actively engage in discussions, activities, and personalized guidance, maximizing the value of your time and expertise.
Synchronous Sessions: Each competency domain features a two-hour live, interactive session facilitated by experienced instructors. These sessions provide a dynamic environment for Q\&A, peer-to-peer learning, case studies, role-playing, and personalized feedback.
Asynchronous Learning: In addition to the synchronous sessions, participants will complete five hours of asynchronous learning per domain. This self-paced component consists of supplemental materials, assignments, practical exercises, and assessments reinforcing the concepts learned and allowing for a deeper understanding of the material.
Program Components:
The program is divided into five competency domains:
1. Self-Assessment and Career Exploration:
This domain helps participants discover their unique strengths, interests, and values and explore potential career paths. Activities include self- assessment tools, career research strategies, industry exploration, and goal setting.
2. Personal Marketing and Branding:
3. Navigating the Civilian Hiring Process:
4. Translating Military Skills and Experience:
5. Professional Development and Workplace Success:
Delivery Format:
The Veteran Workforce Development Program is offered in both virtual and in-person formats, offering flexibility and convenience to accommodate participants’ diverse schedules and locations. Participants can choose the format that best fits their needs. Regardless of the format, all participants will have access to program materials and instructor support.
Outcomes:
Upon completion of the Veteran Workforce Development Program, participants will:
• Have a clear understanding of their skills, interests, and career goals.
• Possess a polished resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.
• Be confident and prepared for interviews.
• Be able to effectively translate their military experience into civilian terms.
• Be equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the civilian workplace.
• Expand their professional network and build connections within target industries.
The Veteran Workforce Development Program is committed to providing veterans and military members with the resources and support they need to achieve their career goals. We are dedicated to your success.
COMPETENCY DOMAIN 1: SELF-ASSESSMENT & CAREER EXPLORATION
Lesson Title: Self-Assessment and Career Exploration
Educational Context
The transition from military to civilian life can be a challenging journey, filled with uncertainties about how to navigate a new career landscape. This lesson, focused on “Self-Assessment and Career Exploration,” aims to empower military personnel by providing them with the tools and insights necessary to understand their unique skill sets, values, and interests, making it easier to identify suitable civilian career options. By facilitating both self-exploration and group discussions, participants will be able to align their military experiences with the broader workforce, ultimately building confidence in their ability to market themselves effectively to potential employers.
Central Focus for the learning segment.
The central focus of this lesson is to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to conduct thorough self-assessments, explore potential civilian career paths, and develop SMART goals that will guide their transition into civilian employment. By emphasizing the importance of aligning personal skills and values with career choices, the session aims to foster an understanding of how military experience is not only transferable but also highly valuable in the civilian workforce.
Central Focus for the learning segment.
- Career Development: Understanding and applying career development principles in military-to-civilian transitions.
- Self-Assessment: Conducting self-assessments to identify transferable skills and core values.
- Occupational Information: Utilizing tools and resources for career research, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and O*NET.
- Goal Setting: Applying techniques for setting SMART goals to create actionable career plans.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
- Remembering: Participants will recall and list transferable skills and core values from their military experience.
- Understanding: Participants will explain how their self-assessment results correlate with potential civilian careers.
- Applying: Participants will conduct research on at least two civilian careers that align with their skills and interests, identifying job duties and required skills.
- Creating: Participants will formulate a SMART goal and an action plan outlining the immediate steps they will take in their career transition.
Lesson Details and Timeline
Domain 1: Self-Assessment and Career Exploration
Overall Goal: To guide participants in understanding their skills, values, interests, and how these translate into potential civilian career paths.
Pre-Work (Approximately 5 hours)
Objective: Complete a self-assessment of skills, values, and interests, and begin initial career exploration.
Activities:
Skills Inventory (1.5 hours):
- Provide a list of transferable skills (e.g., leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, technical skills, project management) with definitions and examples.
- Have participants rate their proficiency in each skill (e.g., novice, intermediate, expert).
- Encourage participants to provide specific examples of how they’ve demonstrated these skills in their military roles.
Values Assessment (1 hour):
- Offer a values clarification exercise. Participants should list their core work values (e.g., autonomy, security, creativity, recognition, helping others, work-life balance).
- Provide prompts for participants to reflect on what is important to them in a job.
Interest Assessment (1 hour):
- Suggest free or low-cost online interest assessments (e.g., the Holland Code or similar career aptitude tests).
- Encourage participants to reflect on their favorite aspects of their military roles and how theymay translate to potential civilian careers.
Initial Career Exploration (1.5 hours):
- Provide a list of potential career paths that may align with various military occupations.
- Have participants research 2-3 careers that seem interesting based on their skills, values, an interests, using resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), O*NET, and professional association websites.
- Participants should identify job duties, required skills, and educational/certification requirements for each career.
Instructor-Led Session (2 hours)
Objective: Review self-assessment results, explore career options, and set preliminary career goals.
Agenda:
Icebreaker question: “What are you most excited about or nervous about regarding your transition to
civilian life?”
Review the session objectives.
Review and Discussion of Pre-Work (40 minutes):
- Have participants share their key skills, values, and interests with the group (use a chat, polls, or breakout rooms).
- Discuss common themes and challenges.
- Address any confusion or questions about the assessments.
Career Exploration Deep Dive (40 minutes):
- Facilitate a discussion of the careers participants researched.
- Provide information about industry trends and the job market.
- Discuss resources for further exploration (e.g., informational interviews, job shadowing, networking events).
Q&A and Wrap-Up (10 minutes):
- Open the floor for questions.
- Summarize key takeaways and next steps.
- Preview the next session’s topic.
Activities:
Polls: “What is your primary area of interest?” (e.g. IT, Healthcare, Finance, etc.)
Breakout Rooms: Participants discuss their self-assessment results in small groups.
Whiteboard: Online whiteboard for participants to collaboratively brainstorm potential careers based on their skills.
Resources:
- List of transferable skills with definitions.
- Values clarification exercise.
- Links to online interest assessments.
- Links to BLS, O*NET, and other relevant job search websites.
Assessment/Follow-Up:
Homework: Complete a more in-depth exploration of at least one career (e.g., research salary expectations, educational requirements, and create a list of companies hiring in that field).
Assessments
Summative Assessment
At the end of the lesson, each participant will submit a written report that details their chosen civilian career
path based on their self-assessment, including:
- A summary of transferable skills and values.
- An analysis of the researched career (job duties, salary expectations, educational requirements).
- A SMART goal and a brief action plan with specific steps they intend to take for career advancement.
Formative Assessment
Throughout the session, participants will engage in various collaborative activities, including polling, breakout discussions, and a brainstorming session. This will serve as real-time feedback on their understanding of the material and their ability to articulate their self-assessment results. Instructors will actively monitor group discussions, provide feedback, and encourage peer support to enhance learning outcomes.
COMPETENCY DOMAIN 2: PERSONAL MARKETING & BRANDING
Lesson Title Personal Marketing and Branding
Educational Context
This lesson plan is designed for individuals transitioning from a military background to civilian employment.
This context is crucial because it informs the content, emphasizing transferable skills, translating military experience, and adapting professional communication to suit civilian hiring practices. The target audience likely has a unique set of experiences, skills, and knowledge, but may need assistance in framing these effectively for the civilian job market.
Central Focus for the learning segment.
The central focus is on equipping participants with the skills and tools necessary to create compelling personal
marketing materials that effectively communicate their value and increase their chances of securing civilian
employment. This encompasses developing a strong understanding of personal branding and building a
professional presence (resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile) that resonates with potential employers.
Discipline or Professional Standard(s)
Career Development: This encompasses the knowledge and skills required for career planning, self-
assessment, job searching, and professional development. The lesson plan directly supports career development by providing guidance on resume and cover letter writing, and LinkedIn profile
optimization. This will allow the participants to understand and leverage their skills, experiences and abilities.Communication (Written and Verbal): This focuses on effectively conveying information and ideas in both written and spoken forms. The creation of resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles requires clear, concise, and persuasive writing. The lesson also incorporates peer review and live critiques,
providing opportunities for participants to improve their verbal communication skills.- Marketing: This involves understanding how to promote a product or service to potential customers. In this context, participants are learning to market themselves as skilled and valuable employees, emphasizing their key qualifications and experience. They learn to target their resume and cover letter
to their desired job posting. - Technology Proficiency (LinkedIn): This involves utilizing digital tools and platforms, particularly LinkedIn, for professional networking and self-promotion. The lesson plan provides instruction on how to build and optimize a LinkedIn profile, showcasing the importance of online presence in today’s job market.
Learning Outcomes.
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
- Knowledge (Remembering/Understanding): Participants will be able to identify the key components of a strong resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, explaining the purpose and best practices for each.
- Application (Applying): Participants will be able to apply the STAR method to effectively describe their accomplishments and utilize provided templates and examples to create initial drafts of their resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.
- Analysis (Analyzing): Participants will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their marketing materials, comparing their drafts against provided examples and identifying areas for improvement based on feedback.
- Synthesis (Creating): Participants will be able to revise their resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile based on feedback from peers and the instructor, integrating best practices to create a cohesive and compelling personal brand.
Domain 2: Personal Marketing and Branding
Overall Goal: To help participants develop a strong personal brand and marketing materials (resume,cover letter, LinkedIn profile) to effectively communicate their value to potential employers.
Pre-Work (Approximately 5 hours)
Objective: Develop the initial drafts of a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.
Activities:
Resume Template and Examples (2 hours):
- Provide a template for a military-to-civilian resume, emphasizing transferable skills and accomplishments over specific job titles.
- Provide examples of well-written resumes from various military backgrounds.
- Emphasize the use of action verbs and the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to describe accomplishments.
Cover Letter Guidance and Examples (1.5 hours):
- Explain the purpose of a cover letter and its role in supplementing a resume.
- Provide a template and examples of effective cover letters that highlight skills and express interest in the company and the role.
- Explain the importance of tailoring cover letters to each job application.
LinkedIn Profile Development (1.5 hours):
- Provide guidance on creating a professional LinkedIn profile.
- Highlight key sections (photo, headline, summary, experience, skills, recommendations).
- Emphasize the importance of a strong headline and a compelling summary that highlights accomplishments and career goals.
Instructor-Led Session (2 hours)
Objective: Refine marketing materials, practice articulating value, and understand the role of personal branding.
Agenda:
Brief review of the pre-work and expectations.
Resume Review and Feedback (45 minutes):
- Review common resume mistakes and best practices (e.g., formatting, keyword optimization).
- Have participants share their resumes (or parts of them) in breakout rooms and provide peer feedback.
- Offer individual resume reviews (optional) or a list of resume services.
Cover Letter Workshop (30 minutes):
- Discuss the importance of tailoring cover letters.
- Review a few cover letter examples.
- Guide participants in drafting the content of a cover letter (e.g., addressing the hiring manager, highlighting relevant skills, expressing enthusiasm for the role).
LinkedIn Optimization (30 minutes):
- Review key components of a LinkedIn profile (headline, summary, experience, skills).
- Participants edit their profiles and brainstorm content for the summary section.
- Discuss how to connect with professionals in their field and build a network.
Q&A and Wrap-Up (5 minutes):
- Address questions and provide final tips.
- Preview the next session’s topic.
Activities:
Peer Review: Breakout rooms for participants to review and provide feedback on each other’s resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
Live Resume Critique: Instructor critiques selected resumes (with permission) to demonstrate best practices.
Poll: Ask “What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered when building your resume so far?”
Resources:
- Resume templates.
- Cover letter templates.
- Examples of strong resumes and cover letters.
- LinkedIn profile optimization guide.
- Link to a free online resume checker.
Assessment/Follow-Up:
Homework: Revise resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile based on feedback and resources.
Assessments
Summative Assessment:
The summative assessment will be based on the final, revised versions of the participants’ resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. These materials will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Content: Relevance of skills and experiences to target roles, use of action verbs, effective use of the
STAR method, clarity, and conciseness. - Format: Adherence to resume and cover letter best practices (e.g., formatting, readability).
- Branding: Consistency of messaging across all three platforms, highlighting of value proposition, and
overall professional presentation. - LinkedIn Optimization: A complete profile, a compelling headline and summary, and clear
articulation of career goals and accomplishments.
A rubric will be provided outlining specific expectations for each criterion.
Formative Assessment:
Formative assessments will be ongoing throughout the session to gauge participant understanding and provide
real-time feedback. These include:
- Pre-Work Review: Initial review of pre-work drafts of the resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. This helps tailor the live session to address the specific needs and challenges of the participants.
- Peer Review: Breakout room sessions where participants provide feedback on each other’s resumes and LinkedIn profiles. This encourages collaborative learning and allows participants to learn from each other.
- Live Resume Critique: Instructor critiques selected resumes (with permission) to demonstrate best practices and address common mistakes.
- Poll: During the instructor-led session, a poll will ask participants “What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered when building your resume so far?” This allows for real-time assessment of participant difficulties and provides an opportunity to address common issues.
- Q&A: Dedicated time for participants to ask questions about the content and process. This will help ensure participants understand the concepts and are able to apply them to their own work.
COMPETENCY DOMAIN 3: NAVIGATING THE CIVILIAN HIRING PROCESS
Lesson Title Navigating the Civilian Hiring Process
Educational Context
This lesson plan targets individuals preparing to enter or re-enter the civilian workforce. It recognizes the importance of a well-structured job search process, including application, interview, and negotiation. The context is practical and directly related to career development and employment. The
target audience might include veterans, career changers, recent graduates, or anyone seeking to improve their job search skills. The lesson is designed to be a practical and supportive learning experience, providing participants with the tools and knowledge they need to confidently navigate the hiring process.
Central Focus for the learning segment.
The central focus is to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully navigate the civilian hiring process from start to finish. This includes understanding application strategies, mastering interview techniques, and negotiating job offers.
Discipline or Professional Standard(s)
- Career Development: Focusing on developing skills to find a job within the civilian sector
- Communication: Mastering the art of professional communication for each step within the hiring process, from resume crafting to networking, interviews, and salary negotiations.
- Job Seeking Skills: Building the ability to effectively research, apply for, and secure a job.
- Professionalism: Understanding and demonstrating professional conduct throughout the hiring process.
Learning Outcomes. By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
- Knowledge (Remember): Identify and recall the key stages of the civilian hiring process (application, interview, negotiation).
- Comprehension (Understand): Explain the purpose and components of a compelling resume, cover letter, and application.
- Application (Apply): Demonstrate the ability to answer common interview questions using the STAR method in a mock interview setting.
- Evaluation (Evaluate): Assess their market value and justify their salary expectations during a salary negotiation simulation.
Domain 3: Navigating the Civilian Hiring Process
Overall Goal: To prepare participants to navigate the different stages of the civilian hiring process, from application to interview and negotiation.
Pre-Work (Approximately 5 hours)
Objective: Understand the stages of the hiring process and prepare for common interview questions.
Activities:
Application Process Overview (1 hour):
- Explain the different application methods (online portals, email, company websites).
- Discuss the importance of tailoring applications and following instructions.
- Provide tips for writing a compelling online application.
Interview Preparation (2 hours):
- Review common interview question types (behavioral, situational, technical).
- Explain the STAR method.
- Provide a list of common interview questions, categorized by skill/competency.
- Encourage participants to practice answering questions out loud, recording themselves, and practicing with a friend or family member.
Company Research and Networking (1 hour):
- Explain the importance of researching companies before applying and interviewing.
- Provide resources for company research (company websites, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc.).
- Introduce networking strategies (LinkedIn, informational interviews, career fairs).
Salary Research (1 hour):
- Provide resources for researching salary ranges for their target roles (e.g., salary surveys, BLS).
- Explain the importance of understanding their market value.
Instructor-Led Session (2 hours)
Objective: Practice interviewing, learn about salary negotiation, and understand the hiring process.
Agenda:
Review the pre-work.
Mock Interview Practice (60 minutes):
- Breakout rooms for participants to conduct mock interviews (either one-on-one or in small groups).
- Provide a set of interview questions to use as a starting point, or have the participants use questions for a role of their choosing.
- Rotate interviewers and interviewees.
Interview Skills and Techniques (30 minutes):
- Discuss common interview mistakes.
- Review best practices for body language, communication, and answering difficult questions.
- Offer tips for handling virtual interviews.
Negotiation Strategies (20 minutes):
- Discuss the basics of salary and benefits negotiation.
- Provide sample negotiation scripts.
- Explain the importance of knowing your worth and being prepared to walk away.
Q&A and Wrap-Up (10 minutes):
- Address questions.
- Summarize key takeaways.
- Preview the next session.
Activities:
Mock Interviews: Participants practice interviews in breakout rooms.
Role-Playing: Instructor models different interview scenarios and negotiation techniques.
Polling: “Are you comfortable discussing your salary expectations?”
Resources:
- List of common interview questions.
- STAR method guide.
- Links to company research resources.
- Salary negotiation scripts.
- Resources for handling virtual interviews.
Assessment/Follow-Up:
Homework: Research a company, practice answering interview questions, and develop a negotiation
strategy.
Assessments
- Formative Assessment: Observe participation in breakout room mock interviews, monitor answers during group Q&A sessions, and observe polling responses to gauge participants’ confidence and understanding.
- Summative Assessment: Homework assignment: Require participants to research a specific company, prepare answers to common interview questions related to a role they’re interested in, and develop a basic salary negotiation strategy. This could be evaluated based on the quality of the research, the use of the STAR method, and the rationale behind their negotiation approach.
COMPETENCY DOMAIN 4: TRANSLATING MILITARY SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Lesson Title: Translating Military Skills and Experience
Educational Context
This session is designed to empower military members and veterans as they navigate the transition from military service to civilian careers. These individuals have honed invaluable skills and gained significant experience during their service. However, the language and expectations of the civilian workforce can sometimes feel like a different world. This session will equip individuals with the tools and strategies to effectively translate their military skills, experience, and accomplishments into terms that civilian employers understand and value. During this lesson, we’ll focus on demystifying the translation process, crafting compelling narratives of individual achievements, and communicating a unique value proposition.
Central Focus for the learning segment.
To empower veterans to effectively articulate their military skills and experience in a manner that resonates with civilian employers, ultimately increasing their job prospects and career success.
Discipline or Professional Standard(s)
- Career Readiness Standards: Focuses on career planning and exploration, understanding skills, and the job search process.
- Communication Skills: Emphasis on clear, concise, and persuasive written and verbal communication tailored to specific audiences.
- Self-Awareness: Promotes the ability to identify strengths, weaknesses, and values and to articulate these effectively.
- Professionalism: Emphasizes the ability to present oneself professionally, understand workplace norms, and navigate interview processes.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
- (Knowledge/Remember): Identify their primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and recall at least three potential civilian job titles that align with their experience.
- (Comprehension/Understand): Explain the core concepts of the STAR method and how to apply it to construct compelling accomplishment statements.
- (Application/Apply): Translate at least five of their military skills into civilian-relevant skills, providing specific examples of how those skills were demonstrated.
- (Evaluation/Evaluate): Critically assess their draft resume and cover letter, incorporating translated skills and accomplishment statements, and identify areas for improvement to effectively communicate their value to a civilian employer.
(Evaluation/Evaluate): Critically assess their draft resume and cover letter, incorporating translated skills and accomplishment statements, and identify areas for improvement to effectively communicate their value to a civilian employer.
Pre-Work (Approximately 5 hours)
Objective: Identify and translate military skills and experience into civilian equivalents.
Activities:
Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) Translation (2 hours):
- Provide resources for translating military occupational specialties into civilian job titles and descriptions.
- Provide the Department of Labor’s crosswalk of military jobs to civilian roles.
- Participants should identify their primary MOS and research potential civilian equivalents.
Skill Mapping (2 hours):
- Develop a skill mapping exercise where participants translate their military skills into civilian-relevant skills.
- Provide a list of common military skills (e.g., leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, technical skills, project management, communication, training, security, logistics, etc.) and help them identify how these skills translate..
- Encourage participants to provide specific examples of how they demonstrated these skills in the military.
Accomplishment Statements (1 hour):
- Practice writing accomplishment statements using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight their achievements and quantify their impact.
Instructor-Led Session (2 hours)
Objective: Refine the translation of military skills and experience, practice communicating value, and address concerns.
Agenda:
Review the pre-work.
MOS Translation Review (30 minutes):
- Discuss common challenges in translating military experience.
- Answer any questions about MOS translation.
- Offer assistance with translating specific MOS descriptions.
Skill Translation Workshop (40 minutes):
- Have participants share examples of their translated skills.
- Use breakout rooms to allow peer feedback.
- Provide examples of how to quantify accomplishments.
Communicating Value (30 minutes):
- Discuss how to communicate the value of their military experience to civilian employers.
- Review how to explain complex military jargon in a way that civilian employers can understand.
- Share strategies for addressing potential concerns or misconceptions about military experience.
Q&A and Wrap-Up (10 minutes):
- Address any further questions.
- Summarize key takeaways.
- Preview the next session’s topic.
Activities:
Group Discussion: Address the specific struggles of translating military experience into civilian terms.
Peer Review: Participants practice communicating their value to a civilian audience in breakout rooms.
Live Translation: Instructor translates a military skill into civilian terms.
Resources:
- Resources for translating MOS codes.
- Skill mapping exercise template.
- STAR method guide.
- Examples of accomplishment statements.
Assessment/Follow-Up:
Homework: Revise resume and cover letter, incorporating the translated skills and accomplishment statements.
Assessments
- Revised Resume and Cover Letter: Participants will submit a revised resume and cover letter incorporating the translated skills, civilian job titles, and accomplishment statements created during the pre-work and instructor-led session. These documents will be evaluated based on clarity, accuracy, relevance to target roles, and effective use of the STAR method.
Formative Assessment: - Breakout Room Peer Review: During the instructor-led session, participants will engage in a peer review exercise in breakout rooms. Each participant will briefly present their translated skills and accomplishment statements to a small group and receive constructive feedback from their peers. The instructor will circulate among the groups, providing real-time feedback and guidance.
COMPETENCY DOMAIN 5: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & WORKPLACE SUCCESS
Lesson Title: Professional Development and Workplace Success
Educational Context
The transition from military to civilian employment can be a challenging journey for many veterans. Realizing this, our professional development workshop aims to equip participants with the crucial skills and knowledge necessary for thriving in the civilian workplace. This class is structured to offer insights into workplace expectations, foster essential communication skills, and provide strategies for conflict resolution while promoting an understanding of the differences between military and civilian work cultures.
The workshop commences with pre-work assignments, which serve as a foundational introduction to key concepts regarding workplace cultures and norms. Participants engage with materials that encourage critical reflection on their existing skills and how those can be adapted for civilian success. This self-guided reflection is pivotal as it prepares participants for a more interactive and collaborative experience during the instructor-led session.
Central Focus for the learning segment.
Our central focus is on preparing participants for effective communication, robust teamwork, strong work ethics, and navigating the nuances of civilian employment. These skills not only ease the transition but also empower veterans to become valuable contributors in their new roles.
Discipline or Professional Standard(s)
- National Career Development Association (NCDA) Career Development Competencies: Promoting skills for effective career development and lifelong learning.
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning Standards: Equipping trainees with foundational professional skills in alignment with workforce expectations.
- American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Competency Model: Encouraging the development of effective communication and interpersonal skills within organizational settings.
- International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Standards: Adhering to recognized standards in providing adult education and professional development.
Learning Outcomes.
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
- Remembering: Participants will identify key elements of workplace culture, including communication expectations and professional norms, to facilitate their understanding of civilian work environments..
- Understanding: Participants will compare and contrast military and civilian workplace cultures, demonstrating their comprehension of how cultural differences impact workplace interactions..
- Applying: Participants will role-play common workplace scenarios to practice effective communication and conflict resolution techniques, applying learned concepts in a simulated environment.
- Evaluating: Participants will analyze workplace scenarios and provide constructive feedback on their peers’ handling of those situations, enhancing their evaluation skills while reflecting on best practices..
Overall Goal: To prepare participants for workplace success, including communication, teamwork, work ethic, and navigating the civilian work environment.
Pre-Work (Approximately 5 hours)
Objective: Understand workplace expectations and learn about professional development resources.
Activities:
Workplace Culture Overview (2 hours):
- Provide an overview of common workplace expectations and norms (e.g., communication styles, dress code, time management, work ethic, teamwork).
- Discuss differences between military and civilian workplace cultures.
- Share examples of workplace scenarios and how to handle them professionally.
Communication Skills (1.5 hours):
- Provide resources on effective communication skills (written, verbal, nonverbal).
- Discuss strategies for communicating with different audiences.
- Provide examples of professional emails, memos, and presentations.
Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving (1.5 hours):
- Explain common workplace conflicts and how to resolve them constructively.
- Provide resources on problem-solving techniques and decision-making skills.
Instructor-Led Session (2 hours)
Objective: Practice workplace skills, learn about professional development, and address common challenges.
Agenda:
Review the pre-work.
Workplace Scenario Role-Playing (45 minutes):
- Present participants with common workplace scenarios (e.g., conflict with a coworker, receiving feedback from a supervisor, making a presentation).
- Breakout rooms for role-playing and practicing handling these scenarios.
- Offer feedback and guidance on how to navigate these situations.
Professional Development (30 minutes):
- Discuss the importance of continuous learning and professional development.
- Provide information about available resources (e.g., online courses, certifications, professional organizations).
- Discuss how to set career goals and create a development plan.
Teamwork and Collaboration (30 minutes):
- Discuss the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the workplace.
- Review strategies for building positive relationships with coworkers.
- Discuss how to handle difficult team members.
Q&A and Wrap-Up (5 minutes):
- Address questions.
- Summarize key takeaways.
- Provide final encouragement and resources.
Activities:
Role-Playing: Scenarios to practice workplace interactions.
Group Discussion: Discuss the differences between a military and civilian workplace and how to navigate that.
Poll: “What is your biggest fear about entering a civilian job?”
Resources:
- Workplace culture overview.
- Communication skills resources.
- Conflict resolution resources.
- Professional development resources.
Assessment/Follow-Up:
Homework: Create a professional development plan.
Follow-Up: Provide links to LinkedIn and other professional organizations.
Assessments
- Summative Assessment: As a summative assessment, participants will be required to submit a comprehensive professional development plan that outlines their career goals, strategies for continuous learning, and techniques for building professional relationships. This plan will demonstrate their understanding of the material covered in the workshop and their readiness to engage effectively in civilian employment.
- Summative Assessment: As a summative assessment, participants will be required to submit a comprehensive professional development plan that outlines their career goals, strategies for continuous learning, and techniques for building professional relationships. This plan will demonstrate their understanding of the material covered in the workshop and their readiness to engage effectively in civilian employment.