Professional Development — Worksheet 9

Finding & Planning 3 Opportunities

Searching skills  •  building experience

Name: Date:
How to use this worksheet. Today we put our searching skills to work! You will look for three different kinds of opportunities that help you gain experience and build your path.
TYPE 1

A Part-Time Job

This is a job where you get paid. It helps you earn money and gain real work experience.

1A.What kind of part-time job are you interested in looking for? Think about places in Bayside, or jobs you've seen online or in stores.
1B.Where could you look for this part-time job? Examples: Indeed.com, company websites, walking into stores, asking someone you know.
1C.What is one part-time job you found or plan to apply for?
Organization name:
Job title:
Clarify — Start with what you already know: a store you shop at, a place a friend works, a job type you've done before. A real place on the page beats a perfect place in your head. Note the hours, too — does it fit around 9 am – 3 pm?
1D.What are 2–3 skills they seem to be looking for in this part-time job? Look at the job ad if you have it — words like "friendly," "on time," "teamwork," "cash handling."
TYPE 2

A Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteering means giving your time to help an organization or cause — you don't get paid. It's a great way to gain experience, meet people, and give back.

2A.What kind of volunteer work sounds interesting to you? Think about helping animals, people, the environment, or an event.
2B.Where could you look for volunteer opportunities? Examples: Idealist.org, volunteer-matching sites, local community organisations, your church/temple/mosque, local hospitals.
2C.What is one volunteer opportunity you found or plan to apply for?
Organization name:
Role / title:
Clarify — Match the cause to something you care about — you'll show up more happily for animals, kids, or the outdoors if that's your thing. Volunteering often asks less on paper than a paid job, so it's a great first "yes."
2D.What are 2–3 skills they seem to be looking for in this volunteer role? Examples: "reliable," "good with people," "able to lift boxes," "patient."
TYPE 3

An Internship — or a Second Volunteer Opportunity

An internship is a structured learning experience that builds specific job skills, often tied to your studies. It can be paid or unpaid. If you can't find one, a second volunteer opportunity is a great idea too!

3A.What kind of internship or second volunteer opportunity are you interested in? Think about something that relates to your college studies or a long-term goal.
3B.Where could you look for this internship or second volunteer opportunity? Examples: your college's career services office, Idealist.org, company websites, specific non-profits.
3C.What is one internship or volunteer opportunity you found or plan to apply for?
Organization name:
Role / title:
Clarify — Connect this one to your future: your major, a career you're curious about, or a skill you want to grow. Stuck finding an internship? Don't stall — a second volunteer spot counts, and your college's career services office can help you search.
3D.What are 2–3 skills they seem to be looking for in this role? Look for repeated words in the description — those are the skills they value most.
📝 Next Steps — For EACH of your three opportunities, write at least one next step to apply.

Examples: "Finish resume," "Write cover letter," "Ask mentor for help," "Click 'Apply Now'."

Part-Time Job — next step:
Volunteer Opportunity 1 — next step:
Internship / Volunteer Opportunity 2 — next step:
Clarify — A good next step is small and doable this week — one you could start today. "Apply for a job" is a wish; "email my mentor my resume by Friday" is a step.

💡 Tips for You: Searching Like a Pro

Reflection

What is one question you have about finding or applying for these different types of opportunities?

FOR MENTOR USE — WORK THROUGH THIS TOGETHER

Mentor Guide

How to help your student find and plan three real opportunities

1. What this worksheet builds

It turns "I should get experience" into three concrete leads and a next step for each. The student practices where to search (online, in person, through people), how to read a listing for the skills it wants, and how to plan a small first action. The win is three named opportunities with a step beside each — not perfect applications. Momentum first.

2. How to run it

3. Using the hints (Clarify boxes)

Let the student try each part before reading the Clarify box. The hints coach search strategy — start from what you know, match the cause to what you care about, tie the internship to your future — never a specific place to apply. If they're stuck, ask "Where might that exist?" before handing them the box.

4. Supporting the student

5. Following up on the 3 opportunities