Mission2 ASCEND - Module 1 - Initial Intake

Transcript

1. Initial Intake Background & Goals www.theASCENDcollective.org Visit Our Website
2. Mission2 ASCEND is committed to empowering individuals impacted by the justice system by bridging the gap between their unique skills and meaningful employment opportunities. Our cutting-edge AI-enabled platform bypasses traditional resumes and job applications, directly matching their experience and abilities with employers seeking their specific talents. The program emphasizes personal branding and custom career pathways, equipping clients with the tools, resources, and support they need to navigate the job market confidently and secure sustainable employment that aligns with their strengths and aspirations. Mission2 ASCEND The ASCEND Collective is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming employment opportunities for individuals often overlooked in traditional hiring processes. We harness innovative, AI- enabled technology to match people with meaningful job opportunities. The ASCEND Collective
3. Objectives Personal Experience Personal Goals Identify your experiences during civilian life by breaking them down into Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Reflect on the tasks and roles you’ve held, the knowledge you’ve gained, the skills you’ve developed (like leadership or problem-solving), and the abilities you’ve demonstrated (such as adaptability or team management). This breakdown will help you craft a strong personal profile that highlights your strengths and positions you for future career success, opening doors to meaningful opportunities. Define clear, tangible goals that align with both your personal and professional aspirations. Identify key achievements, desired outcomes, and measurable milestones. Outline the roles or industries that interest you, specify the skills you want to highlight or develop, and set a realistic timeline for each step in your career journey. By creating a focused plan that leverages your unique strengths, you'll be prepared for meaningful employment and long-term growth.
4. What is Personal Experience? Personal experience refers to the unique events, challenges, and situations individuals have faced throughout their lives, shaping their perspectives, skills, values, and character. It includes both professional and personal contexts—ranging from work history, education, and volunteer efforts to hobbies, life challenges, achievements, and relationships. Personal experience is highly individualized and shaped by background, culture, and life choices. It serves as the foundation for learning and growth, helping to develop skills and abilities, and often providing insights that can guide future decisions and career actions.
5. Why reflecting on your experience is an important step Translating Skills Solving Problems Knowing Your Worth Reflecting on past experience helps Mission2 ASCEND candidates translate their skills into long-term employment opportunities. Specialized knowledge, such as logistics, IT, or medical expertise, gained through hands-on experience, is highly transferable to many industries. Employers place great value on practical experience, as it demonstrates a candidate’s ability to contribute effectively from day one, making them a strong asset to any organization. Resilience and problem-solving skills are essential in any workplace. Having navigated personal challenges and high- pressure situations, you can excel in roles that require adaptability and quick decision-making. Employers value these qualities in candidates who can confidently handle obstacles and maintain focus under pressure, making you a valuable addition to any team. Life experience and lifelong learning make Mission2 ASCEND candidates highly valued by employers. You’ve developed the ability to lead teams, motivate others, and collaborate effectively. These qualities are highly sought after by employers looking for leaders who can manage team dynamics, inspire productivity, and navigate challenges, making you an ideal fit for new roles and opportunities.
6. Translate your Experiences Technical Skills Communication Skills Leadership & Supervisory Skills Flexibility Critical Thinking Translating your experiences into language that resonates with employers is essential for candidates to effectively communicate their value. This involves framing past roles in terms that align with civilian job requirements, such as describing leadership or decision-making experiences as "project management" or "team supervision," and using terms like "operations coordination" instead of "task oversight." By aligning personal achievements with in-demand skills, candidates can showcase their adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and leadership, clearly demonstrating how their unique background directly benefits potential employers across various industries. Mission2 ASCEND candidates possess skilled labor expertise in trades like carpentry, electrical work, and manufacturing, making them ideal for roles in construction, maintenance, and production, offering hands-on experience and precision. Experience with clear communication in high-pressure trade environments translates into strong verbal and written skills, essential for coordinating projects, collaborating with teams, and ensuring smooth operations in skilled labor roles. Leaders in skilled trades often manage crews, make critical decisions, and ensure productivity under pressure, translating into strong team-building, managerial, and conflict-resolution abilities in civilian skilled labor roles. The ability to adapt quickly to new environments and challenges, honed through diverse experiences, is crucial for roles requiring flexibility, quick learning, and the capacity to handle change effectively. Justice-involved individuals often develop critical thinking and data analysis skills through problem-solving and navigating complex situations, making them valuable in roles requiring strategic planning, data interpretation, or operational analysis.
7. Knowledge of relevant tools, equipment, or software within a trade or industry. Ability to quickly adjust to new environments and situations, demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges. Examples of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Technical Proficiency Adaptibility Team Collaboration Problem- Solving Project Management Leadership Attention to Detail Communication Ability to work effectively within teams, coordinating with others to achieve shared objectives. Strong analytical skills to identify and resolve issues efficiently in high-pressure situations. Experience overseeing tasks, managing resources, and ensuring the timely completion of projects. Experience managing teams, providing guidance, and motivating others to achieve goals. Ability to focus on the finer aspects of tasks to ensure accuracy and quality. Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, crucial for teamwork and client relations. Conflict Resolition Time Management Skilled in addressing and resolving disputes, maintaining harmony in work environments. Expertise in prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in fast-paced environments
8. Put it into action Access your Mission2 ASCEND talent profile and start identifying your specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities based on your experiences. Reach out to your mentor if you have any questions, need clarification, or want to brainstorm. Once you’ve completed the initial questionnaires and filled out the form, you’ll be ready to move on to setting your goals.
9. Overcoming barriers is essential because it allows us to identify obstacles that hinder our success, whether they are internal challenges like self-doubt or external ones like limited resources. Recognizing these barriers before setting goals enables us to create a realistic and achievable plan, ensuring we are prepared to face and overcome challenges effectively. Begin by identifying specific barriers that may hinder progress, such as skills gaps, limited resources, or external challenges, and prioritize them based on their impact. Develop targeted strategies for each barrier, such as acquiring new skills, seeking mentorship, or utilizing available resources, to address them systematically. Set small, achievable milestones to track progress, stay motivated, and adjust strategies as needed to ensure steady advancement toward your goals. After creating a plan to break down barriers, you can focus on achieving your goals with renewed clarity and purpose, using each small victory to build momentum. By systematically overcoming obstacles, you gain the confidence, skills, and resilience needed to reach your ultimate objectives, turning challenges into stepping stones for success. Identify General Barriers Make a Plan Achieve your Goals 01 02 03
10. Identify and engage with mentors, peers, or resources that can provide guidance, advice, or assistance in overcoming challenges. Clearly define the specific obstacles standing in the way of your progress, whether internal or external. Overcoming Barriers Stay flexible and ready to adapt your plan as needed, using each step forward as motivation to continue overcoming barriers. Break down your strategies into smaller, manageable milestones to track progress and maintain motivation. Evaluate how each barrier affects your goals and prioritize them based on their level of impact. Implement your strategies consistently, focusing on one barrier at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Regularly assess your progress, noting any new challenges or adjustments needed to keep moving forward. Create targeted strategies for addressing each barrier, such as learning new skills, networking, or finding alternative resources. Seek Support Adapt and Persist Identify Barriers Set Milestones Assess Impact Take Action Evaluate Progress Develop Strategies
11. Turning Barriers into Goals Recognize Barriers as Opportunities Set Goals Aligned with Overcoming Barriers Measure Success Through Barrier Removal View barriers not as setbacks, but as opportunities for growth and improvement. Each challenge presents a chance to learn new skills, expand your capabilities, or adapt to changing circumstances. By reframing obstacles this way, you can turn potential roadblocks into stepping stones toward achieving your goals. Transform each identified barrier into a specific, actionable goal. For instance, if lack of experience is a barrier, set a goal to complete a relevant training course or seek mentorship in that area. This approach ensures that every action you take is directly aligned with eliminating obstacles on your path. Track your progress by measuring how effectively you overcome each barrier, using it as a metric for success. Celebrate each small victory as you move past challenges, reinforcing the idea that every step forward is an achievement in itself, ultimately leading to your larger objectives.
12. Setting SMART goals ensures your objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time- bound, making them easier to accomplish. Set smart goals Put it into action Access the Goals and Barriers Worksheet on the Mission2 ASCEND portal. Based on what you have learned in this lesson you should: Knowing your barriers helps you understand the specific challenges you need to overcome to reach your objectives. Having an initial plan provides a clear roadmap for tackling these challenges step-by-step, ensuring you stay focused and proactive. Know your barriers Have an initial plan
13. Summary & Conclusion In this module, you identified your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities and created a Talent Profile. You also identified Goals and made a plan to achieve them. Make sure that all of the worksheets in this module are completed. If you have any questions, please ask! Let your career coach know that you are ready to review the worksheets and discuss what you learned in this module. In the next lesson, we will discuss Skills Enhancement for the career you deserve. Finish all worksheets Reach out to your career coach Prepare for the next step
14. Thank You Visit Our Website For Your Attention www.theASCENDcollective.org