Brainstorm Your Interests in a Document

In this lesson, you will brainstorm lists of your interests and skills to help you think about the types of jobs you could look for.

Brainstorming is a useful way to start any new project.

It helps you generate ideas, think through problems, and create solutions.

Plus, when you record your ideas in a digital document, you can access them from any device connected to the internet.

You can add more ideas as you think of them later.

To start, add a heading to your document to create an “Interests” section.

Then, think of the types of things you like to do outside of school.

These may be hobbies, sports, or activities you do at home, like: Reading, Playing an instrument, Singing in a choir or to the radio, Playing sports, running, or swimming, Participating in an afterschool club, Painting, drawing, or sculpting, Playing board games, Or cooking.

Add a bullet point, and begin your list.

Press enter to add a new interest on each line.

After you’ve added at least five interests to your list, think about your strengths at school and in your community.

What classes do you do well in?

Maybe you’re really great at math but aren’t as interested in science.

Maybe you love to read novels and prefer to be alone rather than hang out in big groups.

To brainstorm your list of strengths and preferences, ask yourself whether you: Prefer to be alone or with other people?

Like taking care of others, like children or animals?

Like helping people?

Prefer to be inside or outside?

Add a new heading to your document for strengths.

Then, add at least three strengths to your list that answer one or more of these questions.

Don’t worry if you have trouble coming up with strengths for your list.

Spend a few minutes brainstorming.

You can always come back to that list later.

If one of your strengths is your talkative personality, you might want to work in a store helping customers.

If you love TV and movies, consider working in a movie theater.

If you like to be outside, you might look for jobs as a dog walker or referee.

The strengths on your list can help you decide what kinds of jobs to look for.

Now, it’s your turn: Add a heading to your document for your interests, List at least five interests as bullet points, Add another heading for your strengths, And list at least three strengths as bullet points.