3. STEP 1-
REFLECTION AND SELF EVALUATION
The first step in career planning should be to gather information
about yourself to assist in making a decision about a career. You
should develop an understanding of self – including values, interest,
aptitudes, abilities, personal traits, and desired life style – and become
aware of the interrelationship between self and occupational choice.
4. STEP 2 –
EXPLORATION
The second step in career planning is to explore and
research your options. Exploring takes your self-assessment a
step further by looking at your personal interests, skills, values,
and work-life needs and narrowing down areas of possibilities. The
process involves investigating the world of work in greater depth,
narrowing a general occupational direction into a specific one
through an informed decision making process, and declaring a
major.
5. EXPLORING MAJORS
Typically, majors don’t dictate your career choice nor should your
career dictate your major. However, there are specialized careers,
like nursing or accounting, which require specialized majors. The
best major for you would be one that arouses your curiosity and
creativity, challenges you and helps you develop lifelong learning
strategies.
There are so many choices to consider, how can you know
which major will provide you with the skills to adjust to quick changes
in the world of work? Research, research and research are the keys
to providing you with the right information before selecting a major.
6. STEPS TO BEGIN EXPLORING MAJORS
Learn About Majors:
Review the college catalog and degree program web sites
for the majors you are considering to learn about the focus of
the major and courses required. Read books in the Career
Services Resource Library, peruse academic journals, and
professional association web sites related to your academic
interests.
Talk with Faculty in Major/Department:
Faculty are a valuable resource for gaining information on
majors.
Take Entry Level Courses To Explore:
Taking a survey or introduction course in the major can
help you learn about a major and your interest in this area.
7. LEARNING ABOUT CAREERS
Explore Careers – Learn about the many different types of
jobs that exist in the workplace. You can browse by
cluster, or find careers that meet requirements you specify.
Fastest Growing Careers – Discover fastest growing
occupations.
Learn about Nursing and Teaching Careers – North
Carolina has become one of the fastest growing
state/country. This steady growth has caused a critical
need for nurses and teachers across the state.
8. CONDUCTING INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
Want to learn first-hand what it’s like to work in
a specific career? Wish to gain advice about how to
find an internship or job in a specific career? The
best way to gather this information is to talk with a
professional who works in the field.
9. STEP 3 –
DECISION-MAKING AND GOAL SETTING
After having completed your self-assessment and
explored your options you should be ready to make some
career decisions. The question now is how you will decide.
Using the information you have gathered and analyzed,
you can now evaluate your options. What will you use as
your criteria to evaluate your options and experiences?
10. Identify the pros and cons of each college major or
career.
Explore how each major or career relates to your
interests, skills, and values.
Project the probable future consequences of each
major or career choice.
11. DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO CHOOSE ONE
OPTION OVER ANOTHER? IF NOT, YOU MIGHT NEED TO
DO MORE RESEARCH. SOME OTHER QUESTIONS TO
CONSIDER:
12. Have I fully considered and narrowed down, to the best
of my ability, my interests, values, and skills?
Have I explored careers beyond the surface?
Have I reflected on how my experiences fit my interests,
values, and skills?
13. Have I gathered enough information to feel
comfortable making a decision?
How much information do I need to gather to make
a decision?
Have I challenged assumptions or myths that I
may hold about certain careers or the career
decision-making process itself?
14. ASK YOURSELF:
What are the most important steps you need to take to
achieve each goal/objective?
What is your target date for completing each step?
What information or resources do you need to follow
through on your decision?
What are the obstacles to implementing your decision and
how can you overcome them?
15. STEP FOUR –
GAINING EXPERIENCE
Career related experience can help you develop
the skills, abilities and knowledge to solidify your
career goals. Students can gain experience through
summer jobs, part-time jobs, volunteer experience,
leadership opportunities and involvement in campus
activities. Students can make themselves more
marketable by completing a co-op or internship
experience.
16. Reasons to consider gaining career related
experience:
Gives you a chance to “reality test” the work environment.
Gain a competitive edge over other candidates who have no career
related experience
Acquire new skills that will strengthen your résumé
Get a head start on finding a full-time job
Networking
Gain references for future use
17. INTERNSHIPS
Internships are typically one-time work
experiences related to a student’s major or
career goal. The internship plan generally
involves a student working in a professional
setting under the supervision and monitoring of
practicing professionals. Internships can be a
paid or unpaid experience.
18. VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering is another way for you to gain
skills that are easily transferable to your
professional career. The experience highlights your
commitment to service and you gain a stronger
understanding of a variety of issues that impact the
community.
19. INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Contact agencies directly.
Once service is complete you will complete a short
survey on your experience.
20. STEP 5 –
IMPLEMENTATION
This is the step in the process where you
implement what you have learned and move
forward towards a new job or more advanced
education. You should also continue to evaluate
your options and make adjustments as needed.
21. STEP ONE:
IDENTIFY SOURCES OF EMPLOYMENT
The Internet is filled with postings either on company
sites or general job posting boards. You can utilize the
following online resources to help you with your job search.
Career Builder
Craigslist
Indeed.com
Idealist.org
Monster
Simply Hired
Job Search Sites for North Carolina Job Openings
Job Search Sites for Specific Career Fields
22. STEP TWO:
NETWORK
Use your personal network of family, friends, co-
workers and acquaintances to help you establish
contacts that may be helpful. Faculty in your college
program may also be able to help you network by
providing contacts and even potential job leads.
Don’t forget to utilize online networking sites like
Linked-In and Facebook.
