Career Exploration Student Workbook

This comprehensive 24-page career exploration workbook was developed as a strategic enrollment tool for Salt Lake Community College’s Workforce Training & Education department. The primary goal was to guide prospective students through a structured self-discovery process that would naturally lead them to relevant SLCC training programs and encourage enrollment.

Strategic Enrollment Objectives

The workbook was designed to:

• Attract prospective students through valuable career exploration content
• Build trust and authority by providing professional career guidance tools
• Create clear pathways from self-discovery to SLCC program enrollment
• Address barriers to enrollment by demystifying the career planning process
• Generate qualified leads for admissions and career counseling services

Workbook Pages / Career Exploration Activities and Self-help Resource Integration

Content Strategy & Structure

Phase 1: Self-Discovery (Pages 4-14)

Goal: Help students understand their career preferences and motivations

• Career Planning Process Overview - Visual roadmap showing clear steps
• Personal History Reflection - “How did you get here?” exercises
• Goal Setting Activities - 1-year and 5-year career planning
• Interest Assessment Tools - Connecting to Focus2Career platform
• Skills Inventory - Categorizing soft, transferable, and technical skills

Phase 2: Market Awareness (Pages 15-17)

Goal: Educate students on labor market realities and opportunities

• Labor Market Information (LMI) - Teaching students to research careers
• Wage and Education Correlation - Visual data showing training ROI
• Resource Directory - Guiding students to authoritative career data
• Occupation Research Activities - Hands-on exploration exercises

“Workshop attendance increases of 40% after workbook implementation with 35% more career services appointments”

Phase 3: Action Planning (Pages 18-23)

Goal: Direct students toward SLCC training solutions

• Career Pathways Introduction - Connecting education to employment
• SLCC Program Showcase - Highlighting Workforce Training & Education
• Training Categories - Employment-focused vs. skill-specific options
• Program Examples - Specific SLCC offerings with clear benefits

Phase 4: Next Steps (Page 24)

Goal: Convert interest into enrollment action

• Direct SLCC Contact Information - Multiple entry points for engagement
• Resource Directory - Additional tools to maintain engagement
• Clear Call-to-Action - Encouraging students to contact career services

Design for Engagement & Conversion

Visual Hierarchy

• Professional, approachable design that builds credibility
• Color-coded sections for easy navigation and completion
• Ample white space to reduce overwhelm and encourage participation
• Interactive elements including fill-in exercises and checklists

Professional layout with clear visual hierarchy and interactive elements

Enrollment Psychology

• Gradual commitment building from self-reflection to program research
• Social proof integration through labor market data and success metrics
• Barrier reduction by providing clear, actionable steps
• Authority positioning of SLCC as the trusted education partner

Practical Implementation

• Workshop-ready format for career counseling sessions
• Self-guided capability for independent exploration
• Reproducible exercises that can be revisited over time
• Professional presentation suitable for high school and adult learners

Measurable Enrollment Outcomes

Direct Impact Metrics

• Workshop attendance increases of 40% after workbook implementation
• Career services appointments up 35% in first six months
• Program inquiry volume increased by 25% for featured programs
• Conversion rate improvement from initial contact to enrollment

Qualitative Feedback

• “Finally understand my options” - common student response
• Counselors reported more prepared and engaged students
• High school partners requested additional copies for distribution
• Faculty noted better-prepared students in introductory courses

Technical Specifications

Print Production

• 24 pages, full-color with professional saddle-stitch binding
• 8.5” x 11” format for easy handling and workshop use
• High-quality paper stock reinforcing SLCC’s professional image
• Cost-effective printing for mass distribution (1,000+ copies)

This workbook serves as more than just an informational tool—it’s a comprehensive enrollment funnel that transforms casual interest into qualified enrollment leads while providing genuine value to prospective students in their career exploration journey.