Learn

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What are my education choices?

Time:Set the timer to 30 minutes for the Learn section.

Read:We now have ideas about our future work. This week we will discuss the kind of education or training we need to gain the skills to qualify for that work.

Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5	Week 6
What type of work will help me become self-reliant?	What education will qualify me for my work?	How will I pay for my education?	Should I apply for a Perpetual Education Fund loan?	How will I succeed in the classroom?	How will I succeed outside the classroom?

Practice:The facilitator should give each group member a copy of the Self-Reliance Services Preferred Lists if they don’t have the lists from last week.

Choose two people to write on the board. Then, everyone should quickly name as many local schools or training programs as possible in two minutes. Consider the following:

Public and private schools or universities
Vocational and technical training
Apprenticeships or company training
Preferred programs and schools from the Preferred Schools and Programs List

Read:Which options could qualify us for our future work? It is important to know that not all schools and programs are equal. They differ in length, cost, and difficulty. Some succeed in helping graduates get jobs. Some are not effective or cost too much.

“Choosing a School or Training Program” (No video? Read page 38.)

Discuss:What steps will you take to find the right training program?

Read:If we use a PEF loan, we need to choose a school or program from the Preferred Schools and Programs List. These schools provide the skills to get a preferred job. They also help graduates find that job. You can request an exception or addition to the list by contacting your local self-reliance services manager.

Read:This week, we will ask this question and take this action:

Read:QUESTION OF THE WEEK—What education or training will qualify me for my work?

ACTION OF THE WEEK—Explore options for education, learn about the programs by talking to other people, and prepare an education plan.

How will I create my education plan?

Practice:During the week, we will create an “education plan” (see page 33). This practice will help us learn how to do that, step by step!

Step 1. Read the examples. Then, just for practice, write the name of an educational option you are considering under “Your Example.” List all the people you could talk with about that option.

MY EDUCATION PLAN: WHAT ARE MY EDUCATIONAL CHOICES?
	Example 1	Example 2	Your Example
List the training programs or schools you are reviewing	Polytechnical Institute	Software Certification Center

WHO KNOWS ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR SCHOOL?
List people for each program or school you can talk with	Sister Addo works there School advisors, teachers My friend, Sophia, went there Students	Guy at computer store Brother Moldona is certified Someone at the certification center

WHO KNOWS ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR SCHOOL?

List people for each program or school you can talk with

Sister Addo works there

School advisors, teachers

My friend, Sophia, went there

Students

Guy at computer store

Brother Moldona is certified

Someone at the certification center

Step 2. Read the questions and examples below. Fill in the boxes for “Your Example.” For this practice, you may need to guess.

WHAT WILL I ASK?
	Example 1	Example 2	Your Example
How many graduate? How many get good jobs?	80% graduate and certify Most graduates get good jobs Many are managers in one year	60–65% certify Nearly all who pass get good jobs
What does it take to be accepted into the program or school?	They accept 100 people per year in welding; must pass basic math test; need 2 references	Pass the math test Pay the fee Have access to a laptop
How long does it take to certify/graduate?	18 months to certify 6 months recommended apprenticeship (school arranges for it, no fee)	9 months plus certification test
What are the costs per year? For entire program? For certification?	10000/year tuition and fees 15000 for total program 8000 (additional) for certification and tools	15000/9 months (15000 for total program) 5000 (additional) for proof of certification
Are there scholarships? Grants? Loans?	Scholarships for top students for last 6 months; no grants; loans with high interest rate	No
What is the schedule? Transportation?	3 sessions (morning, afternoon, night) Near bus line; 45 minute commute for me	Morning and night Two bus rides, 1 hour each way

Step 3. Now, read the examples and then summarize the “Your Example” answer in the box on the right. Remember, this is just practice. We will gather more accurate information this week.

WHICH WORK SEEMS BEST TO PROVIDE INCOME AND MATCH MY STRENGTHS AND SKILLS?
	Example 1	Example 2	Your Example
What have I learned about these options? Which seems best for me?	More time. Slightly more cost. Good placement, scholarships, flexible times. Good connections with employers.	Less time. Less overall cost. Higher risk to fail. Great placement. Transportation difficult.

Read:After gathering information this week, we will need to make decisions. We can pray and read our patriarchal blessings to help us. As we are worthy and sincere, the Holy Ghost will guide us. The Lord desires to bless us. Let’s seek His help!

How will I present my education plan?

Read:To prepare for next week, let’s practice an education plan presentation.

Practice:Stand up and get with a new practice partner. Present one example education plan as if it were yours (see pages 30–31). If you do not have all the information, use your imagination. Make it three minutes. Then take two minutes to ask for feedback from the other person.

Switch roles and let the other person practice presenting.

Discuss:Get back with the larger group. Talk about how you will gather information during the week and how you will present your education plan next week. Ask questions and share ideas.

Read:During the week, gather information and put it in this education plan. Talk to as many people as you can. Ask many questions and add more questions to your notes. If you need another education plan form, there is a copy on page 39.

How can I prepare to get a PEF loan?

MY EDUCATION PLAN: WHAT EDUCATION OR TRAINING WILL QUALIFY ME FOR MY WORK?
School chosen (from the SRS Preferred Schools and Programs List):
Major or program (from the SRS Preferred Schools and Programs List):
Preferred job (from the SRS Preferred Jobs List):
With this loan request, when will you start school?
Planned graduation month and year:

Note: If the school or program is not on the SRS Preferred Schools and Programs List and you still wish to apply for a loan, contact the self-reliance services manager.