Before you begin, we recommend starting a Google Doc as a place to store your notes. Once you're ready, let's begin!

Below are the three core elements of a Personal Career Story and a few questions to help inspire your thinking within each section. You are not required to answer every prompt, and you should feel free to include any prompts that you think would help give people an authentic sense of what you're all about.
‍

• Part 1: Who you are
  The goal of this section is develop a high level statement that showcase your core characteristics. This section will never be able to fully express all the different facets of you, so remember to keep it simple and focus on one or two key traits.
  ‍
  
  • When I was young, I constantly would find myself losing track of time doing ________
    
  • People have always told me that I'm ____, ____ and _____.
  • I always really enjoyed _____ but never really liked ______.
  • Something I'm super proud of is ________.
    
    Great example:
    "For as long as I can remember, I've loved understanding how things work. I would break apart and re-build my toys, default to any projects in school where I got to build things, and found myself watching "How It's Made" on YouTube any chance I could get."
    

• Part 2: What you've done
  The goal in this section is to get the really high level overview of what you've done so far in your life/career. Do not get overly detailed here - keep it to simple points.
  
  • In school, I was most interested in ____.
    
  • Then I did XXXX job, where I learned ____.
    
  • Then I did XXXX job, where I learned ____.
  • My most rewarding work or project so far has been ______ because _______.
    
    Great example: 
    "In school, I enjoyed my art class the most, which is what prompted me to pursue a degree in design.
    Once I graduated, I got a job at a civil engineering office and was there for 5 years doing a variety roles in support of the architects and engineers.
    During my time, I really fell in love with Landscape Design and Architecture, and would help friends and family design their outdoor spaces as a way to fill some of my free time. I've really enjoyed the sustainability piece of this work and figuring out how to make beautiful spaces that are also good for the planet."

• Part 3: Where you want to go next
  
  • During the next phase of my career, I want to work with people who are _________.
    
  • I'd like to be in an environment that is _______ and ______.
    
  • I'd like to stretch myself and learn _________ and _________.
    
    Great example: 
    "During the next phase of my career, I want to more deeply explore the intersection of design and sustainable landscaping. My natural inclination to build and learn how things work is stronger than ever, and I want to find a place where I can creatively solve some of the most pressing issues we face as a community." 

Once you've got your outline built, you can use it as the foundation for your story. Read your outline out loud and begin to add more complete sentences, a few more details, and any other personal touches that you think are relevant to turn your outline into a true story.