Have you ever been asked:
“What do you want to be when you grow older?”
“What are you planning to apply for at university or college?”
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Whether you think you've nailed down your dream job or are still figuring it out, getting started on your career planning will help you feel more motivated and confident in preparing for what’s to come.
Why is career planning important?
On average, an adult will dedicate one-third of their life to their career.
Setting up a career plan can help you decide on which direction to take so that you can engage in work that fulfills you.
So how does career planning help you?
Career planning gives you the building blocks to achieve your career goals.
Career planning is much more than choosing your ideal job. It's about making long-term objectives and identifying what actionable steps you need to take to achieve them.
These steps could include knowing which courses, activities, internships, or networking opportunities you need to engage in to move closer towards your career aspirations.
Career planning helps you identify your superpowers and growth areas.
Learning about your strengths can be a great help in choosing which career options are most suitable for you. When career planning, you're looking at which skills you can flex and which areas there may be more learning to do.
Whether you're applying directly to a job or applying for post-secondary education, you want to make sure that you're investing time in the right areas and developing the right skills that suit your career.
Career planning helps guide you in making strategic decisions.
Your career path most likely may not follow a straight line, but having a career plan will make it easier to confidently stay on track.
Of course, your career goals may also evolve depending on your grades, school admissions, the job market, or personal interests.
By having a career plan, you'll always have an idea of where you are and the steps you need to take to get to where you want to be.
You can make strategic decisions to adapt to these changes and help you figure out what choices will best fit your plan.
Quiz
Stephen is preparing for his senior year and knows he wants to become an engineer. What should he do to kickstart his career planning?
Take Action
Now that you're motivated and ready to start career planning, where should you begin?
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