CAREER
PLANNING
One
of the most challenging aspects and decisions
we make in our everyday lives are those that
impact us professionally and personally. Career
decisions we make everyday affect us not only
today but in the future. Too often, we are
too busy with everyday chores to even have
time to systematically plan what we want to
do with our career, much more to explore important
issues surrounding the career planning process.
There are number of resources available to
help you in your career planning. eGovCareers
is dedicated to providing you with professional
assistance, as well as resources to help you
successfully plan your career. Here are some
suggestions and resources to begin your exploration
of the world of career.
KNOW
YOURSELF
The
most basic ingredients of a career planning
process is to take stock of yourself in terms
of your experiences, achievements, knowledge,
skills, abilities, interests, motivation,
temperament, and an assessment of what factors
are important and valuable to you i.e. financial,
working conditions, etc. Once you begin to
seriously look into these matters, you will
have a clearer vision of who you are, what
you are capable of, and areas you wish to
explore. This process will also provide clarity
to yourself in terms of your own strengths
and weaknesses. This self-assessment will
help you discover areas you may otherwise
not discovered.
EXPLORE
AND DISCOVER SELF DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER OPTIONS
Exploring
career options and discovering available employment
opportunities that match your skills, knowledge,
abilities, and overall personality means taking
the time to research and gather as much information
as you can to make an informed decision. There
are many occupational categories available
today, and depending on your overall assessment
of yourself and other important factors, such
as geographic locations, working conditions,
salary, etc. this step will help you find
out more about possible career options for
you.
Open
a world of possibilities by making use of
available resources around you. In addition
to researching occupational options, checking
on available training, educational and other
self-development opportunities will provide
you with helpful information you can use as
you are getting ready to make an important
career decision.
DECIDE
WHAT YOU WANT TO PURSUE
Once
you have carefully examined yourself and explored
career options available for you, deciding
what you want to pursue is an important step
in the career planning process. This is the
time to make a career decision that will test
your ability to take risks, to go beyond boundaries
you may have not been before, and at the same
time to set realistic expectations of yourself.
If you are undecided, do not hesitate to seek
out help from those who have the professional
training to help you focus on your decisions.
Take advantage of professional resources around
you.
MAKE
A CAREER MOVE!
Whether
you have decided to start a job search, enroll
in school, or change a career, making a career
move involves determination, perseverance,
and hard work. Once you are ready to implement
the career plan you have developed for yourself,
keeping up with your plan and taking action
is by itself a big challenge!
CAREER
PLANNING RESOURCES
Career Development
Manual: Electronic Edition
This award-winning site developed by Waterloo
University Career Services provides a detailed
step of the career development process from
self assessment, occupational research, employer
research, to a successful job offers.
Career
Planning Process
Bowling Green State University provides a
comprehensive and detailed approach to the
career planning process through its Career
Planning/Competency Model beginning from conducting
a self-assessment to changing job.
Myers
Briggs Type Indicator - An Online Version
of MBTI by KnowYourType.com
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has
been widely used in a variety of purpose
including career developments and exploration. Check
"KnowYourType.com site to learn more
about this instrument. If you know your
type, a section on "What is the right
career?" provides you a list of occupations
and career options a particular MBTI type
may be likely to enjoy.
