Thank you for participating in Get Started!

We are so excited to work with you. Over the next 4 weeks, you will complete various assignments that will help you to build skills in communication, budgeting and financial literacy, community engagement, and more! By now, you should already have access to the assignments either via email or printed copy. Please use this page to access the links you need to successfully complete the get started course. If you have questions, please reach out to your MVAC case worker, or send an email to Get_Started@mnvac.org.

Each week of Get Started contains 5 assignments relating to the following topics:

• Communication
• Budgeting & Financial Literacy
• Professional Development
• Health & Wellness
• Community Engagement

For an overview of the program, please view this PowerPoint: Get Started Intro PowerPoint

PRE-SURVEY: Before you dive in, please take the time to complete this survey.

Each week will have its own section below, where you will be able to access the links needed to complete each assignment.

POST-SURVEY: Once you have completed all 4 weeks of Get Started, please complete this survey. 

Week 1

Assignment 1 – Communication: First Impressions

• Get Started – Team Introductions
• Making a Good First Impression – https://tpt.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/crhks20-cte-firstimpression/making-a-good-first-impression-workforce-readiness/
• The New 5 Second Rule – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=413_sACCuH8

Assignment 2 – Budgeting & Financial Literacy: Banking 101

• Banking 101 PowerPoint
• The Difference Between Checking and Savings – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K8pDRX3oaM
• Checking vs Saving Accounts – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41VbMxwgZ4o
• Mobile Banking – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxYn_3bDMVc
• How to Write a Check – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef5wNONNWb4

Assignment 3 – Professional Development: Ice Breakers

• No links required

Assignment 4 – Health & Wellness: Affirmations & Self Care

• Positive Affirmations – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XYoduQMAjU
• List of Affirmations – https://mentalhealthcenterkids.com/blogs/articles/positive-affirmations-for-teens
• Self-Care Action Plan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0iVTQS8ftg
• Self-Care Tips – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bARpudRvNgA
• Self-Care Practices – https://www.betterup.com/blog/self-care-practices

Assignment 5 – Community Engagement: Volunteer Opportunities

• Why Volunteer – https://coryames.com/why-volunteer/
• Get Started – Professional Skills Matrix

Week 2

Assignment 1 – Communication: Email & Social Media Etiquette

• Email Etiquette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5K2QYIVf0k
• Netiquette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7coJ7hkJKg
• Social Media Etiquette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwH33Ukr1bM
• Digital Footprints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eUDheHH5p4

Assignment 2 – Budgeting & Financial Literacy: Budgeting 101

• Budgeting 101 PowerPoint
• How to Make Your First Budget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GSGA8SVsOs
• Reality Check: https://www.jumpstart.org/education/reality-check/

Assignment 3 – Professional Development: Identifying Skills

• Skills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCbwqVP19zA
• Get Started – Professional Skills Matrix

Assignment 4 – Health & Wellness: Overcoming Adversity

• Overcoming Obstacles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MGMvEnoD6U
• Overcoming Adversity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61bMGNL6MrM&t=12s

Assignment 5 – Community Engagement: Extra Curricular Activities

• Why Extra Curricular Activities: https://www.careergirls.org/video/why-extracurricular-activities-3/?back=69
• The Benefits of Extra Curricular Activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWuMLMdl2A

Week 3

Assignment 1 – Communication: Active Listening & Following Directions

• Active Listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nmJW_zExk0
• Following Directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL1kE_U-ZU8

Assignment 2 – Budgeting & Financial Literacy: Credit 101

• Credit & Debit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbtSftL6dbY
• Credit Scores: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2ortkJfTKw

Assignment 3 – Professional Development: Interviewing Skills

• Interviewing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4Tgel45Eho

Assignment 4 – Health & Wellness: Time Management

• Time Management – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7E3VcECkww

Assignment 5 – Community Engagement: The World You Live In

• CareerForce Locations: https://www.careerforcemn.com/locations
• MN DEED Cost of Living: https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/col/
• MN DEED Occupations In Demand: https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/OidSelect.aspx

Week 4

Assignment 1 – Communication: Know Your References

• References: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvahpJOMGvo

Assignment 2 – Budgeting & Financial Literacy: Debt 101

• Debt: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/debt
• Debt Repayment Calculator: https://www.creditkarma.com/calculators/credit-cards/debt-repayment
• Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKK0obnyWoc

Assignment 3 – Professional Development: Maintaining Employment & Reflection

• Maintaining Employment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLneHudh6UM

Assignment 4 – Health & Wellness: Get Active & Stay Active

• Ways to Be More Active: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_emoxlq5Dh4
• Activity Planner: https://odphp.health.gov/moveyourway/activity-planner

Assignment 5 – Community Engagement: Community Resources

• Workforce Council Youth Directories: https://www.workforcecouncil.org/youth-council/projects/youth-directories/