Final Exam: Final Story Project
Note: The Final Story Project is a mandatory assignment and attendance is required for all presentation days. Failure to submit this assignment or attend class on presentation days may result in you receiving an "F" in this course.
Overview
Throughout the semester you have had the opportunity to identify your purpose, explore your career, and plan for your education here at Valencia and beyond. You have taken a variety of assessments that offered insight into your strengths, values, interests, learning, and student strategies. You have also learned about Valencia’s valuable resources that will help you navigate your way through college and successfully accomplish your ultimate purpose in life. Now it is time to share what you have learned by telling a story.
Imagine that it is eight to ten years from now. You have already completed your education and you are currently working in your dream career. You are looking back on your journey and telling your story while incorporating what you have learned in this course. You can choose who you will be sharing your story with and the manner in which you tell your story, but it must be delivered in class during your final exam.
Creativity and forward thinking are extremely important for this project. Below are a couple of examples of ways a story could be told. Note: You do not have to tell your story in any of the following ways, these are only examples.
- You are talking to your high school coach/mentor who believed in you and now you want to let him or her see where you are today.
- You are being interviewed on the news because you ________________.
- You are mentoring a new employee/student who wants to know how you got to where you are today.
The ideas are endless, so think about your audience and bring the background, setting, and overall presentation to life. Be creative with how you share your story. Plan your presentation and ensure that delivery techniques (posture, gesture, eye contact, and vocal expressiveness) help to convey the meaning of your final presentation.
Presentation Instructions
Your presentation must be 5-8 minutes. After your presentation, you will engage the audience in a two (2) minute question and answer session. You must submit a copy of the presentation.
The following elements must be included:
| Creativity/Originality | Your story should be told in a creative, realistic way. The audience should be able to clearly identify the setting and background for your presentation. You should also use visual aids, props, and/or attire that is relevant to the setting and story. |
| Personal purpose | Discuss your personal purpose statement (from your purpose paper). Your presentation should include: A rationale for your personal purpose statementA clear connection between your values, interests, strengths or goals (from the assessments taken in the course)An explanation of how the personal purpose statement helped you choose your career |
| Academic pathway | Discuss the path you took to complete your education. Your presentation should include: The degree you pursued at Valencia and your transfer institution (if applicable)An explanation about how your degree relates to your goals, interests, strengths, values or purposeA review of how much it cost you to complete your associate's and bachelor’s degree (if applicable) and how you paid for your education (for example: grants, loans, scholarships, personal budget)Information about the resources (for example: people, places, course lessons) you used at Valencia to help you be successful and/or develop your education plan |
| Career pathway | Discuss the path you took to get to your career of choice. Your presentation should include: The steps you took after completing your degree to secure your career (internships, certifications, licensures, etc.)A detailed description of your profession (what do you do?)A discussion of general workforce skills (what skills are needed to do what you do?)Two interesting or relevant facts you learned about the profession from your career interview and how this information helped you achieve your goals |
During the two (2) minute question and answer session, audience members will have a chance to ask you questions about the information shared in your presentation. Throughout this session you should be significantly aware of audience feedback; consistently attentive to others when they speak, ask questions or provide feedback. You should also ask questions when you do not understand.
Review the Final Story Project Rubric to gain a better understanding of how you will be assessed on your final exam.