Degree plan

Tanya Sanchez Part 1: Degree Plan Sketch In this area, create a timeline or sketch of your degree
plan. This may be a 2 year plan or more. Part 2: Career Plan Sketch: In this space, you will
define who you are,
To
Me
Sep 16
Part 1: Degree Plan Sketch
In this area, create a timeline or sketch of your degree plan. This may be a 2 year plan or
more.
I will finish my associates degree in June 2015 then apply to a university where I can obtain a
bachelors degree in special education.
Part 2: Career Plan Sketch:
In this space, you will define who you are, how you have gotten here, what is important to
you, and most importantly, where you want to go with your life. In each of these sections,
respond using complete sentences and paragraphs.
Section 1. INTRODUCTION: Compose a brief introduction of yourself, who you are, where
you grew up, what has influenced you, and what is important to you.
My name is Tanya Sanchez; I was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. I grew up on the North
West side of Chicago. Being a parent through the head start program, the program manager of
the center recommended I attend Harold Washington College and obtain a CDA certificate. From
there I have continued to pursue my education. What is most important to me is my family, my
daughter and my son. I want to show my children that education is the key to success. I want to
be able to help families reach their goals and educate them
Section 2. YOUR DREAM: What do you want for yourself?
I want to finish my associates degree in early childhood development and pursue bachelors in
special education. I do not want to be in the classroom. I want help educate families on their
rights as a parent with a child that has special needs. I want to be able to support the families
through the referral process from birth to early intervention and to cps.
Section 3: PERSONAL STRENGTHS: What strengths do you bring to this decision, and what
personal traits will you have to develop?
The strengths I bring to this decision is I have a daughter with severe disabilities. My daughter is
fourteen years old, so I have been to plenty of IEP. Plus, I have worked for Easter Seals for nine
years and have gain the knowledge and experience with both in the classroom and as an
Inclusion/Education coach. I have advocated for families and supported them through
evaluations/IEP. I continue to keep myself knowledgeable through workshops, trainings and
taking classes. I think the personal traits I will have to develop will be to continue attending

school and keeping myself abreast with different cultural aspects of families I will be working
with.
Section 4: MAJOR INTERESTS: Describe the major interests that direct your career choice.
The major interest that directed my career choice is the passion and love I have for children.
Also, my own person experience with my daughter, i feel parents who have children with special
needs should have an outlet and someone to help support and advocate for them as well as give
them knowledge regarding their rights as a parent.
Section 5: PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: What professional skills do you possess?
I have good organizational skills, effective communicator, team player, open and willing to adapt
to change, good time management skills, trustworthy, dependable, quick learner, reliable, patient,
committed and willing to go above and beyond.
Section 6: CAREER INFORMATION: What information have you gathered so far about the
career/s of your choice? What do you know about this job market? What education, training,
and skills will you need to be successful?
Well, being that I have worked in this field for nine years, I have already established myself in
the company. I know that this job market doesnt pay well and it takes a lot of patients,
dedication and research when working with children and their families. The education I will need
to be successful in this field would be for me to get my masters degree in special education. I
will also need to attend training on different disabilities and how to work with families. The
skills I will need to be successful will be researching on line for different resources,
communication skills, writing skills, skills on ethical conduct, cultural and diversity.
Section 7: PRESENT PLAN: Outline your present career plan, the parts involved in making it
happen, and the time line.

June of 2016 I will graduate with my associates degree from Harold Washington College
In 2020 I will graduate with my Bachelors degree in special education
In 2023 I will obtain a Masters in education with a specialization in special ed.

Part 3: You have just completed seven (7) exercises of self-assessment. You should have a
better picture of who you are, and what is important to you. Below you will find an outline for
an Implementation Plan. This Implementation Plan should have at least six (6) sections in
it. Use this outline and fill in information under each heading to complete your plan.
1.
Career Objective/goals: This section should be specific so the employer can match your
request to an opening.
My eager ambition to learn and effectively communicate well with others allows me to
accomplish complex tasks. My excellent interpersonal skills enables me to work with people at
all levels, internally and externally throughout the organization

2.
Education: This section should contain a list of your current college experience and your
future plans for completing your degree and certification/licensure.
Child Development Associates (CDA)
Obtaining an Associates degree in Early childhood development

3.
Experience: This section should contain a list of the work experiences that support your
anticipated career in some way.

2005-2006 Eater Seals Near South Side

Social Service Aid
2006-2009 Easter Seals GM
Teacher Assistant
2009-2010 Easter Seal GM
Paraprofessional
2010-2012 Easter Seals Head Start/Early Head Start
Education/Inclusion Coach
2012-present Easter Seals Head Start/Early Head Start
Transition/Safe Environments Specialist

4.
Special Skills: This section is the place those operational skills you have developed so
far in your professional career, which apply to your anticipated job request.
Microsoft Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Health Care training
Familiar with Spanish

5.
References: Usually it is NOT A GOOD IDEA to list references until the employer
shows an interest in you, unless you have been requested to apply for a job. Create a tentative
list of professional references.
Tracey Mikasa- Eater Seals Head Start/Early Head Start Director 312-972-1704
Victoria Canova- Easter Seals Health Coordinator 773-322-7329
Osmar Rodriguez-Heffernan Elementary Lunch room manager 773-241-2301
6.
Timeline: This section lets the employer know when you will be available for
employment in their organization.
Two weeks after I get hired

As you develop a long form of your Implementation Plan, it can be as long as you wish, but the
short form of the plan should be contained on one page, and should be easy for a prospective
employer to read.

Career/Life Plan Long Form

The purpose of this long-form of your Professional Career Plan is to have a road map or blue
print for your professional life. This blueprint will need to be adjusted for reality from time to
time. Like any plan, it is your attempt to predict the future. It will not be perfect. The plan must
include the following four sections that summarize your previous relevant experiences.
1. Career Goals/Plan
2. Education Plan

3. Experience Plan
4. Implementation Plan

Assignment Description:
Your task with the long form project is to lay out the materials you have produced so far (in the
short form) and form the materials into the four sections listed above.
After you have completed your rough draft, read through it for readability and
completeness. You should also show a copy of your Professional Career Plan to others you can
trust, who you feel can make a contribution to your plan.
Career/Life Plan Short Form
The purpose of this short-form of your Professional Career Plan is to have a one-page copy o
present to others interested in your career. It should fill most of one page. It should show details
of your planning, but not be more than one page. People may not read it if it is too long.
You may wish to show a copy of the short form to a concerned professor, trusted supervisor, or
manager to get feedback. It may be included with a resume and an application to a prospective
employer. Prospective employers may be impressed that you have taken the time to think
through your professional career.
The short form of your Career/Life Plan should be no more than 500 words (one word-processed
page). Plot and plan this out. Plan to have four sections, some headers and some lines of space
between the sections. That should work out to approximately 100-125 words per section. You
want this document to be easy to read and hold the interest of the reader.
My Career goal plan is to continue working for Easter Seals Head Start/Early Head Start
You have now completed substantial research and a written/typed form of your career
plan. Please review the plan and the following questions as you look forward:

What amount of education do you need to accomplish this goal?

1.
2.
3.
4.

What types of additional work experience will you need, if any?

What other experiences will strengthen you?
Do you need to develop a professional network of people who might help you?
Does any of this process make you want to adjust your plan?

Review your plan every 6 months to see if you are on track, or if you need to adjust
some element of your plan.