Question

Jane Smith In 2003, Jane a 12 year-old girl, lived in a quiet neighborhood near Providence, Rhode Island in the East Coast of the US. Jane had three brothers all under the age of 10. Jane, her three brothers and their mother, Marie, lived in a two bedroom apartment near the University, where Jane's mom worked full-time as a lab assistant. Jane's father, Tom, had moved to Colorado, to attend medical school for two years. When Tom first learned he had been accepted to medical school in another state, he thought he would turn down the opportunity, but after he discussed it with the family he decided he would go. Marie encouraged him to pursue his dream of becoming a pediatrician and Jane promised to help her mom with the younger children. Jane was very sweet and mild tempered. Despite Jane being a child herself, she was very helpful in her home. Every morning, Jane helped get the boys up for school while Marie made them breakfast. At home, after their mother picked them up from after school care, Jane would get herself and her brothers a snack before she began to do her homework. She also kept the boys busy, by playing games with them while her mother prepared dinner. Jane loved animals and hoped to be a veterinarian when she grew up. One day while at the park with her mom and brothers, Jane asked her mother if she could have a puppy. Her mother said she needed time to think about it. The next night, Marie came to Jane's room as she did every night to say goodnight, and told Jane that she would not be getting a puppy. Jane, was disappointed.

Answer 1

Jane Smith's self-assessment using a color-coded map revealed her interest in an office administration career, while reflecting on her experiences confirmed that veterinary work was not for her, although she maintained a love for animals and the outdoors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jane Smith had a range of early experiences that influenced her career path, including helping in a family business, assisting a school receptionist, a customer service role, and volunteering at a library. These experiences, along with a negative volunteering experience in the veterinary field, led her to choose a career in office administration. Her preference emerged after she drew a map with different colors representing her interests, showing three main themes: Administration, Animals/Vet related careers, and Outdoor/environmental themes. Despite her love for animals, she decided against a career as a Vet Technician and considered the possibility of an administrative position in an environmental field.

Jane mapped out her interests to trace her passion and abilities. This self-reflective process utilized different colors to help her visualize her preferences, leading to a clearer understanding of what career paths held her interest. Her favorite experiences, highlighted in purple, pointed to themes that brought her joy and satisfaction.

The process of reflection and self-assessment can often reveal unexpected themes or confirm one’s aspirations. For Jane, this methodology confirmed her inclination towards administration, allowed her to recognize her affinity for animal-related themes as a hobby rather than a vocation, and unveiled her appreciation for the outdoors which she may pursue in a different capacity.