ASSIGNMENT: For this touchstone, you will be writing a success narrative consisting of three components. Specifically, you will write about the following:
Who I Am Now: Create a brief biographical statement describing your academic and professional history, as well as any relevant personal characteristics you’d like to share.
My Goals: Identify three (3) professional and/or academic long-term goals for your future.
How I Will Get There: Based on the professional or academic goals you created, identify at least two (2) short-term steps for each of these goals, and set target dates for each of these short-term steps. Make sure that in your plan to achieve these goals, you account for obstacles that may present themselves along the way.
Sample Touchstone
A. Assignment Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
- Who I Am Now
❒ Have you provided a brief biographical statement explaining your educational and career experiences thus far?❒ Have you shared any personal characteristics (e.g., determination, flexibility) that you feel are relevant to your narrative? - My Goals
❒ Have you provided three long-term goals you wish to accomplish?❒ Have you connected those goals to either your academic or professional aspirations? - How I Will Get There
❒ Have you identified and explained at least two short-term steps for achieving each of your three goals?❒ Have you set target dates for each of these steps?❒ Have you addressed any obstacles you might face in pursuit of these goals?
B. Rubric
Advanced (100%)Proficient (80%)Needs Improvement (60%)Non-Performance (0%)
Who I Am Now (30 points)
Write a paragraph describing your academic and professional history, and related personal characteristics.Includes a detailed description of academic and professional history in a single paragraph; includes personal characteristics to support the description.Includes a partial description of academic and professional history in a single paragraph; includes some personal characteristics to support the description.Provides an incomplete description of academic and professional history (i.e., either academic or professional history is not described); does not include any personal characteristics.Does not include an academic biographical statement or a professional biographical statement; does not include any personal characteristics.
My Goals (30 points)
Write a paragraph stating three professional and/or academic long-term goals, and provide a brief description of each goal.Identifies three professional and/or academic long-term goals; provides brief description of each.Identifies two professional and/or academic long-term goals; provides brief description of each.Identifies one professional and/or academic long-term goal; does not provide a description of the goal.Does not identify any professional and/or academic long-term goals.
How I Will Get There (30 points)
Write a paragraph describing two or more short-term actions that you can take to achieve each goal described above.Provides a detailed explanation of at least two short-term actions that be taken to achieve each goal.Provides a partial explanation of at least one short-term action that can be taken to achieve each goal.Provides an incomplete explanation of at least one short-term action that can be taken to achieve each goal.Does not explain any short-term actions that can be taken to achieve the goals.
Overall Reflection (10 points)
Incorporate thoughtful personal reflection to connect the goals and actions described in the composition.Demonstrates a clear connection between the goals and the actions that will help achieve them. The composition is at least 500 words.Provides a partial connection between the goals and actions and/or partially establishes a timeline for the plan to achieve the goals. The composition is 1-100 words too short.Provides goals and actions, but does not establish a clear connection between them, and does not establish a timeline for the plan to achieve the goals. The composition is 100-200 words too short.Does not demonstrate a meaningful connection between the goals and proposed actions and no timeline to achieve the goals has been provided. The composition is more than 200 words too short
