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Career planning
Career Planning is an ongoing process through which young people could have more understanding about their interests, personalities, families, schools, communities and work world in making their career and lifestyle choices.
You may have asked yourself many times that what you want to do after completing secondary school. Very likely, in front of you, there are choices and opportunities of further studies, vocational training and working. However, it is easier to make informed, appropriate decisions concerning your future career if you know how to make a career plan and have access to career information and resource materials.
A Six-step Process
Career planning is simply a six-step process in which decision-making is considered to be the most important.
Step 1 Interests and strengths identification
Understanding yourself --- your values, interests, aptitudes, abilities, personal traits, experiences and desired life style --- will put you in a better position to make educational options and evaluate career alternatives that are best suited to you.
First of all, you may make some self-assessments to gather information about your interest, aptitude and career inclination. Career Assessment Kit assists you to analyze what you like to do, what you value and what your abilities are. Based on your information provided, the assessments identify your personality and provide advice on occupations that may best fit you.
You are advised to think hard about what you enjoy, what you are good at, i.e. the skills you have, what kind of personality you are, and the values you hold and make a list for each.
Compare the test results with your interests and personality. If possible, discuss them with your parents and career teachers.
Step 2 Information gathering
It includes gathering information about the types of career available to you from a variety of sources. Here you can
These activities enable you to find out more about the nature of the jobs that interest you, such as their educational requirements, salaries, working conditions, prospects and anything else that can help you to make a career choice.
Step 3 Evaluation
In order to find out the best career to fit your interests and skills, evaluate the information gathered and narrow choices through discussions with your career teachers, parents, family members and friends. Usually the career that matches your skills, interests and personality the closest may be the career for you.
Step 4 Decision making and goal setting
Set goals and take action to make decision about your career choice.
Step 5 Plan making
Once you have decided what occupation matches up best with you, then you can begin developing a Career Plan to reach your career goal. Review your plan every year and make some alternations if required.
Step 6 Career preparation
After determining what career path you want to follow, assess what you need to do to prepare for that career.
Do you need vocational training? If so, research the schools that offer the kind of training you need. Select a school that offers a college degree or training programme which best meets your career goal and financial need. Also find out the availability of financial aidsthat supported you in obtaining your career goal.
Also think about what kinds of experience you will need for joining the career chose. Consider participating in some work trial programmes as a way to get work experience in the field.
Learn about job hunting tips, prepare your resume, and practice job interviewing techniques as you prepare to move into the job market.
Helpful Tips
- Work situations and skills needed for employment are constantly changing due to changing technological and societal expectations.;
- Retraining and upgrading skills will be a requirement for maintaining employment;
- Two-thirds of the jobs created today will require education beyond high school;
- The worker of tomorrow must be able to work as a team member, communicate, solve problems, use technologies and adapt to changes; and
- Careers development is a lifelong process.
What do employers want?
What are the required employability skills?
What are the basic elements of job success?
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