Every person you ask likely has a different answer. Most associate success with reaching some kind of goal. How will you measure if you have been successful in meeting your educational goals? What factors are important to you in creating a successful career and life?
In this Unit, you'll complete two tasks. First, you'll explore Utah's Portrait of a Graduate and complete a self-evaluation related to the competencies outlined. Second, you will choose from four activity options to help you gain clarity on your own definition of success.
Utah's Portrait of a Graduate is published by the Utah State Board of Education and provides a guide to "adulting" by describing the knowledge, attributes, and dispositions an individual needs to be successful based on research and feedback from a variety of stakeholders.
Click the image below to expand the PDF. Read through the 13 characteristics outlined in the Utah Portrait of a Graduate. Then use the rubrics document and self-assessment form to the right to complete a self-assessment of where you are now in relation to each competency. Review your responses with your mentor.
Note that not all of these are traditional academic skills. The characteristics in BLUE represent important knowledge and skills an individual needs, while those in YELLOW are attributes most sought out by employers, and those in GREEN are the dispositions valued by the community.
Adult Education Student Success Stories
A Portland State University study found participation in 100 hours or more of adult education was correlated to a $9,000 increase in annual earnings!
As you think about what YOU are hoping to get from Adult Education, watch the clips below to see how Adult Education impacted other adult learners.
Maya Angelou
Brian Tracy
Stephen Hawking
Michelle Obama
Choose one of the four activities below to help you develop your own vision of success. Share your completed activity with your mentor.
Compose an essay based on the following prompt:
"What is your personal definition of success? How does it align with the views of others? Do you think societal norms and media play a role in shaping our perceptions of success? How can we ensure that our own definitions of success are meaningful and authentic to us?”
Create slide show outlining the POG competencies and an example of how you have demonstrated that skill or a goal for how you might further develop that skill over the next year.
Interview a successful individual and reflect on how your ideas of success are similar and different to that person's. Use the handout for additional instructions and a list of questions to ask.
Picture yourself on your graduation day. How do you feel? What new skills have you developed? What experiences have you had? As “future you” write a letter or create a video message to support and encourage your present self.