Goals

Typically, students find it easier to write their goals page after they have completed a few examples of work and written their philosophy statement. While your philosophy page should describe your underlying beliefs and values, your goals should discuss how you specifically want to enact those beliefs and values in your future. What are concrete tasks you want to accomplish in the short term and over your lifetime? And what are the beliefs that produce those goals?

Example: Jessica believes that all students deserve a fair education (philosophy). Her goal is to become a teacher in Detroit so that she can improve the quality of education in an underserved area (goals and aspirations).

Example: Geri believes that health care is more than just doctors' visits; it is about changing habits. His goal is to start a pediatric practice where he teaches parents of young patients about nutrition and exercise, in order to decrease the likelihood of childhood illnesses.

Below are some questions to help you remember what your goals were when you entered UM and also prompt you to consider how your goals have changed over time. Consider what you have included on your philosophy page and how you answer these questions when writing your long term goals.

Prompts for Getting Started

Consider what you have included on your philosophy page and think about how you might live your life according to your beliefs. Or, consider what choices you might make that are informed by your underlying interests and tendencies. What do you see yourself doing that would most satisfy you? Demonstrate your values? Or have a positive impact around you?

You might consider the goals you used to have and ask yourself if those are the same. If they are, what experiences have led you to keep those goals? If not, what changed? Read your philosophy statement. Do your original goals still address the underlying beliefs you have developed? You might find that by looking into your past, your new goals will emerge.

Think about the audience for your portfolio, and decide how broad or narrow you want to be in listing your goals. For a prospective employer or graduate school, you may end up with a specific list of goals related to that career. However, to get started, write goals for all parts of your life, so that you can focus your list from there.

Identify ideal careers, jobs, and/or professional roles you are considering. List one or a few careers, positions, or roles that you seek, and the qualifications, knowledge, or skills needed for each.