When choosing CAS projects, there might be many possibilities that come to mind. What CAS skill do I want to develop this time? How will this project/experience look on my resume? Does it represent a personal challenge? Does it catch my attention? However, strategies to create coherence between your future career plan and your CAS work are not commonly mentioned. This article intends to guide you towards this target by providing tips you can do to effectively connect your CAS work and your career plans.
- Search for specific communities/educational institutions that provide programs you can join
Currently, there is a wide variety of universities and educational institutions that provide this type of resources. For example, there are essay competition programs if you opt for a journaling field. This allows students to have several opportunities in different fields related to their future career plans. It becomes a great space for developing innovation and new ways of considering if the student’s current major decision is really what they want.
When choosing a specific program to be part of, with the aim of building a curriculum for your future professional decisions, there are key aspects to consider such as the availability for high school students. Some programs may require a certain age or certificates to join that may not comply with a student’s current reality. Also, in some cases, there are economic expenses to consider like program costs. Reflecting if this program represents a challenge for the student is another feature that might be taken into account, since it allows a good reflection for the resume.
If the past filters are successfully surpassed, the specific program can be considered a new CAS project or experience.
- Engage with people that have experience with your desired major
This engagement can represent two different focuses. First, it can allow a wider view of the career of interest, in order to choose if the student really wants to commit to this specific career. Second, it can become a great chance for exploring activities that can be developed by students in this field.
A practical example can be to engage with business leaders, if business is the desired career. They can give a student the idea on how to start a small business. This entrepreneurship acquaintance can be placed in the resume, in which the journey of starting a small business during high school is reflected. Although this example may be considered situational, it can link up to many other majors.
Currently, contact with people with experience in specific careers is easier through social media. This way, a student can look for people that share their experiences with the major of interest. This gives the chance to come up with ideas of future activities that can be developed.
- Look at your CAS resume like your student profile
Some students may forget that CAS can be versatile. This means that it isn’t only one of the International Baccalaureate requirements but also a way to complement the student curriculum. Having good reflexes and a complete resume shouldn’t be the only aim when it comes to the CAS subject. By envisioning your work as a complement to your CV, there is a greater commitment, and looking for new ways to integrate your future interests becomes a goal.
Take into account that you own your resume and what you do with it, so make sure it is always the best that you can. So, select experiences/projects that comply with your future ambitions each chance you get to do so. This way, you can start building your curriculum and CAS work in parallel.
- Mention abilities that are developed in your future major inside your reflection
In some cases, it is harder to look for projects related to specific careers due to lack of access to resources or not enough knowledge on how to engage in these types of projects. However, there is an alternative: research on the abilities your major of interest develops and try to act in accordance with them. For example, for someone interested in medicine, you can reflect on abilities such as adaptability, time management & problem solving.
When doing research, a student can come across a new view of the actual skills some careers arise inside a student’s mind and life. This research can be considered the starting point for brainstorming projects that allow reflecting on these specific skills. Studying for a career can involve many new skills in the process, and not only a degree at the end of a certain period of time. So, an IB student can take advantage of this and try to work on these skills beforehand.
Overall, this can become a way to ensure a good reflection that shows personal commitment and genuine interest.
- Consult your college and career counselor in your school
Usually, consulting the College and Career Counselor for advice on the topic is a good way to go. A student can look up for this counselor in case they have any specific program or idea that can help the student integrate a new experience on their resume. Besides, it can guide the student if this is also a good activity to add inside the curriculum. Take into account that helping a student with CAS isn’t part of your counselor’s work, however it can be a good option.
Also, your CAS teacher can be familiar with opportunities you can take part in. Consult as much as you want and can, without forgetting that the search for new experiences or projects is a personal commitment.
Conclusion
With those recommendations provided, it can be said that aligning your CAS projects with your future career plans has many benefits and possibilities. As it was shown, many of the guidelines provided in order to achieve this goal are fully the student’s job. So, if you are currently completing your IBDP or about to get into the program, it becomes important to have a high level of personal dedication. Finally, remember that you can view a CAS resume as your student profile and only you can determine how far you want to go with it. Wishing you the best with your CAS work, remember you can do this!