The document discusses the author's career goals and plans. The author's main goal is to have a career in the mental health field as a psychiatric aide or special education teacher. To achieve this, the author has set smaller interim goals like researching careers, taking AP Psychology in high school, getting accepted to an exceptional college, and applying to several jobs after graduating. The author acknowledges there may be obstacles along the way but believes determination will help achieve the goals on time to realize their future career aspirations.

1. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Morriston
Graduation Project
30 October 2011
Goal Setting
To accomplish anything in life, there needs to be plan and a path to get there. This
especially applies to my career path. No matter what I plan on achieving, I must have a
premeditated way to get there. I have created a few small goals that are like checkpoints to my
main goal. They include what I need to accomplish through education to get where I’d like to be.
The goals that I have set throughout my career path will help me successfully become what I
aspire to be.
My main goal is to acquire a career in the mental health field, specifically some type of
psychiatric aide or special education teacher for children. I have also set smaller goals on the
way. Psychiatric aides do not require much schooling other than on- the-job training, but special
education teachers need college degrees in education. . I learned all this information from career
cruising. That helped me satisfy my first goal, which was to research potential careers. To
eventually attain my long-term goal of reaching one of those careers, I will take AP Psychology
in high school and take the AP exam to get a head start, and to improve my college applications.
To assure that I will succeed in this small goal, I will speak with my counselors and schedule
early if possible. They can help me plan out the most convenient time for me to take it amongst
my other classes. Another step to achieving my main goal is to get accepted into an exceptional
college and graduate so that employers can view me with more respect and see me as a potential
employee. To do so, I will do many college searches and apply early. After I graduate, I will
begin the search for possible employers and places of employment. I will apply at several before
I decide which one I am really interested in.
As of now, I am a sophomore in high school with plenty of time to achieve these goals.
As long as I stay focused and achieve my checkpoints, I should complete my goal on time.
Throughout this process, I could experience several obstacles. First of all, is my high school
scheduling, but that can be very easily avoided by speaking with my counselors and being
proactive. Another complication would be getting into the colleges I want to attend, paying for
them, and getting through. Being admitted is a problem that I can’t truly overcome. I can only try
my hardest in applying and making money to pay for it. As long as I stay dedicated and focused,
I will be able to graduate and get through college. The hardest part of my entire career path will
definitely be getting a job. I will have to apply at many places and work hard to present myself at
interviews. Whether or not I get the job depends on the interviewer’s opinion of me. The

2. workforce is very competitive these days. Though there are many obstacles to be overcome
throughout this process, determination will help me through.
The concept of the circumstances of our future and fate can be a very intimidating
thought. Many people do not have the slightest clue where they will be in the next few years. The
only way to rid of the fear of the unknown is to plan and set goals that will help create a picture
of where the future lies. As long as the plan is properly followed, the future won’t be so
uncertain. I have set career goals so I have a more accurate picture of where I will be in the
future and how to get there.