Career Planning Process
Prior to searching for the ideal job, it is important to consider your long-term career goals. This can be accomplished by understanding what is important to you in a career and what opportunities exist in today's job market. The following steps should be included in your career planning process:
Step 1: Develop Self-Awareness - Develop a greater awareness of your work-related values, interests, personality type, and skills. The following are resources to help you achieve this step:
Step 2: Explore Careers - Gather information about potential careers based on the personal insight gained in Step 1. Learn more about work tasks and environment, salary ranges, educational requirements, job outlook, and related occupations. The following is a list of some of those resources you might consider utilizing:
- Career Center Counselors
- Academic and Career Horizons
- Occupational Information
- Career Resource Library
Step 3: Identify Career Options - Develop a list of possible career options to further explore and develop. At least three or four "positive" alternatives should be identified at this stage.
Step 4: "Test-Drive" your Options - Investigate your options through research and first-hand experience. By doing so, you will be able to get a better sense about the occupation and whether it's a good "fit" with your interests, skills, values, and personality type. The following are some ways you can "test-drive" your options:
- Informational Interviewing
- Volunteering / Service-Learning
- Internships/Summer Jobs posted on the CareerRAM System
- Student Employment
- Career Fairs
Step 5: Create an "Action Plan" - Using the information you've gathered thus far, develop a step-by-step plan to reach your selected goal. Career counselors at The Career Center can assist you with this step. As you explore the resources of The Career Center, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.