Steps to Career Planning

What's in your Future?

Career planning is too important to be left to chance. After all, the decisions you make now will affect the rest of your life, especially the 25-40 years you will spend in the work force. If you want a satisfying career, you must prepare by following these steps:

Step 1: Self Assessment

Learn about yourself, your values, your interests, and your abilities.
Talk to your school counselor about a variety of tests to give you information about yourself.
Utilize the interest inventory on page 3, or check websites on page 5 for additional inventories.

Step 2: Occupational Research

Learn as much as you can about a variety of careers.
Investigate what's available and preparation needed.
"Try out" careers through job shadowing, mentorship, cooperative education, or other means. (See page 4 for ideas.)
Check out trends in occupations (Where are the jobs?)

Step 3: Decision Making

Develop personal and career objectives.

Step 4: Education/Training

Investigate options for education/training.
Enroll in and complete necessary training.

Step 5: Applying for Jobs

Learn the skills to seek and keep a job.
Launch a search for your career.

Step 6: Work

Begin your job.
Investigate ways to upgrade your skills and advance in your career.

Step 7: Career/Life Planning

Review periodically where you are and where you want to be.
Make changes as needed.

Planning for your future may not be a steady progression up the steps. You may need to move up and down the steps as your life's circumstances change - the career/life planning steps will continue throughout. The Career Outlook publication is designed to help you make decisions as you navigate your career/life plan.