Assignment: University and Career Goals Essay
Length: At least 400 words
Format: Typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins
AI: Not permitted
Overview:
In this essay, you will reflect on your goals for your time at the university and your first few years after graduation. This assignment will help you practice clear organization, detailed description, and thoughtful self-reflection—essential skills for academic and professional writing. It also allows your instructor to learn about your background, interests, and aspirations.
Prompt:
Write at least a 400-word essay explaining your academic and personal goals while you are at the university and in the years immediately following graduation. Consider questions such as:
- What is your major, and why did you select it?
- How does your major connect to your plans?
- What type of impact do you want to have on Ethiopia? The world?
- What kind of impact do you hope to have on your field?
Resources:
- How to outline
- How to write an introduction, boyd, and conclusion paragraphs
- Guide to Writing Introductions
- Introductions and Conclusions
- Academic Phrasebank
Criteria | Level 5 | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
| 10 points | 8 points | 5 points | 3 points | 1 point | |
| Content & Reflection | Thoughtful reflection on education and career goals Use of clear specifics Explains reasoning for major choice and connects it to goals | All parts of the prompt are addressed Shows a similar level of reflection but lacks specifics and depth Makes general connections between major choices and goals | Discussed goals generally without any specifics Connections between major, short-term, and long-term goals are not developed Lacking insight and discussion | Listing of goals without any development or connection to major, time at university, and early career. Fails to explain the choices included in the essay | Lack of self-awareness and reflection on the educational, personal, or career goals Does not provide any specific ideas |
| Criteria | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
| 6 points | 4 points | 2 points | 1 points | |
| Grammar, Spelling, & Style | 0 to 1 grammar errors No spelling errors Sentences demonstrate variety Individual paragraphs include introduction and conclusion sentences Writing tone is appropriate for an educational setting | 2 to 4 grammar errors Minimal spelling errors that do not affect the readability of the essay Some sentence variety Writing tone is appropriate for an educational setting, but not at the university level | 5 to 8 grammar errors Excessive spelling errors so that readability is an issue The tone of the essay is too informal or casual for an educational essay | More than 9 grammar errors Spelling errors throughout Writing lacks clarity or appropriateness for an academic audience |
| Organization & Clarity | Clear structure with an introduction, at least 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion Ideas flow from one paragraph to the next Use of transitions between paragraphs Organization adds depth to the content and clarity of the message | Generally well-organized, but may be missing one of the required paragraphs Ideas are logically presented, but the transitions between paragraphs are underdeveloped | Organization is lacking and may lead to confusion for the reader Difficult to follow/find the main points in the essay The introduction or conclusion is underdeveloped | No use of transitions between paragraphs Ideas are presented without organization Essay structure is not present |
| Criteria | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| Format and Length | The essay is at least 400 words long Format includes an introduction paragraph, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion Work is double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font | The essay is missing one of the following: The essay is at least 400 words long Format includes an introduction paragraph, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion Work is double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font | The essay is missing two of the following: The essay is at least 400 words long Format includes an introduction paragraph, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion Work is double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font |
| Overall Impact and Originality | Essay presents an original perspective Tone is personal No AI was used | Essay is lack in originality and personal perspective due to a lack of personal details No AI was used | AI was used |
Professor Karen Sichler 