Follow Your Dreams

A Guide To Planning Your Career – Part I

What is Career Planning?

It is an ongoing system of decision making regarding the world of

work which may be used throughout your life.

Career Planning Steps

• Self-Assessment

• Career Exploration

• Career Decision

• Action Plan

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here?”

“That depends a good deal on where you want to go,” said the cat.

“I don’t care where-” said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you walk,” said the cat.

Lewis Carroll

STEP 1: Self-Assessment

Anything that helps you learn more about yourself could be considered self assessment.

Types of Self Assessment

• Basic Needs• Values Inventories• Interest Inventories• Skills Assessments• Personality Inventories• Computer Assisted

Career Guidance.

Basic Needs – Maslow’s Hierarchy

1. Physiological = food, water, air, sleep.

2. Safety = security, order

3. Love/Belonging = family, companionship

4. Esteem = confidence, recognition

5. Actualization = satisfaction, fulfillment

Actualization

Esteem

Love/Belonging

Safety

Physiological

Values Inventories

• What satisfactions do you seek in a career?

• In what ways must you be challenged and rewarded?

• In what type of work environment would you be happy?

Interest Inventories

• What are you interested in doing?

• What activities have you enjoyed most?

• What kinds of people would you like to work around?

• What kind of job settings would you enjoy?

John Holland’s system

Realistic (R) – Machines, tools, outdoors

Investigative (I) – Science, theories, ideas, data

Artistic (A) – Self-expression, art appreciation

Social (S) – People, teamwork, human welfare

Enterprising (E) – business, politics, influence

Conventional (C) – organization, data, finance

Skills Assessments

• What are my strengths and weaknesses?

• What are my most prominent skills and abilities?

• What skills do I want to use on the job?

• What skills do I need to acquire?

Personality Inventories

• What personal qualities do I possess that will help me?

• How will my personal style influence my career choice?

• How will I get along with my supervisor/co-workers?

Myers-Briggs Types Indicator (MBTI)

• A system for understanding human behavior

• Based on belief that there are 16 personality types that do not change

• Personality type is based on a set of natural preferences.

Preferences

Extraversion (E) ----------------------- Introversion (I)(Energy)

Sensing (S)------------------------------ Intuition (N)(Pay Attention To)

Thinking (T) ----------------------------- Feeling (F)(Base Decisions On)

Judgment (J)---------------------------- Perception (P)

(Deal With The World)

ESTJ INFP

16 Personality Types

ISTJThe Duty Fulfiller

(The Inspector)

ISFJThe Nurturer(The Protector)

INFJThe Protector(The Counselor)

INTJThe Scientist

(The Mastermind)

ISTPThe Mechanic(The Operator)

ISFPThe Artist

(The Composer)

INFPThe Idealist(The Healer)

INTPThe Thinker(The Architect)

ESTPThe Doer

(The Promoter)

ESFPThe Performer

ENFPThe Inspirer (The Champion)

ENTPThe Visionary

(The Inventor)

ESTJThe Guardian(The Supervisor)

ESFJThe Caregiver

(The Provider)

ENFJThe Giver

(The Teacher)

ENTJThe Executive

(The Field Marshall)

Computer Assisted Career Guidance Assessments (SIGI3)

Included in SIGI 3:

• Self Assessment

• Career Search

• Career Information

• Skills

• Preparation

• Coping

• Deciding

• Next Steps.

Other Considerations

Family Responsibilities:Work HoursTravel requirementsBenefits

Finances:Ability to pay for EducationBasic Needs

STEP 2: Career Exploration

• Gather as much information as possible regarding careers that interest you.

• Be Open Minded

• Also research job market and individual companies or employers

Research Career

Find Out

• What career options are available for your major?

• What qualifications are required to enter that career?

• What are the work conditions, expected salary, benefits, etc.?

• What additional training would you need?

Resources

• Resource Materials(OOH, DOT, DOL, O*Net, Journals, Internet)

• Personal Network(Family, friends, professors, advisors, career fair)

• Experience(Cooperative Education, Internships, employment, volunteer, study abroad)

Research Job Market

Find Out• Fastest Growing

Occupations

• Educational Requirements

• Job openings compared to job seekers

• Projected change in the work force.

Resources• Occupational Outlook

Handbook (O*Net Online)

• Internet sites

• Bureau of Labor Statistics

Research Company/Employer

Find Out• Nature of business

• Size of company

• Products

• Locations

• Reputation

• Competition

Resources• Chamber of Commerce

• Trade Publications

• Business Journals

• Annual Reports

• Government Reports

• Human Resources

Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Confucius