11.2: Assess Your Progress and Create Your Plan of Action

In this course, we highlighted career exploration and understanding of the difference between a job and a career. We encouraged you to identify resources and factors related to your personal and career vision. Your vision was the foundation for your evaluation and assessment of four phases of the career exploration process. The goal was for you to gain a better understanding of yourself and your best fit for the world of work thus allowing you to learn and harness a strong sense of self and increased self-confidence to make informed choices for your professional goals and career pathways. Supportive resources were included to help assess your skills, abilities, strengths and preferences for intentional and personalized self-discovery.

As an extension, you used online tools to research and envision how the “big picture” of your abilities and skills correlate with potential careers. Perhaps you found and took advantage of unknown opportunities in careers you had not considered. Most importantly, you now have a personal platform to use as a strategic marketing campaign to employers.

Everything you completed brings you closer toward accomplishing your career search plus achieving future short- and long-term goals. Moreover, resources both on and off campus as well as online links were provided to guide you moving forward.

We hope you have mastered decision-making skills to help you pursue your career. Please continue to network, explore and connect with others in your areas of interest. Stay up to date on workplace trends and shifts in “new technology” and the impacts on certain industries. Do not shy away from learning opportunities and be open to unexpected success.

Career exploration is not a linear process. Remember the career development theories explained in this text that indicate career exploration is complex and changes with your growth and mastery of new skills. Retool your personal platform and marketing campaign as needed and continue to build your self-confidence and self-efficacy. Mentor others along the way and maintain a strong network of professionals. Allow yourself to feel uncomfortable and identify new possibilities. Use your career vision statement to affirm the passion you have for your career. Update and revise your vision statement to serve as a reminder to continue to explore and achieve new levels in your career.

The checklists in the activity below provide specific next steps and activities based on where you are in your educational and life plan. Please use these checklists to help guide you through your journey at HACC from this point forward.

Activity 11.2

Next Step Checklists

Below are different options for next step checklists. Please consider which activities will help you through your career and life planning process as you create your plan of action.

Table: Planning Checklists

Option 1: Undecided Step 1: Test your interests through courses, volunteer work, student activities, part-time jobs Register for courses in areas of interest if possible Step 2: Join student organizations relevant to your major Gain experiences inside and outside the classroom Conduct informational interviews to verify major and start networking
Option 2: Graduation Checklist Step 1: Graduation Planning Apply for graduation? When is the deadline to apply? ___________ Plan to attend graduation (commencement)? When do you need to order/purchase your cap/gown? _____________________
Option 3: Job Search Checklist Step 1: Job Search Preparation Make an appointment with a specialist in HACC's Career Services to “polish” your resume or attend a resume workshop. List the name of the person and the date you will meet or list the workshop and the date you will attend. Attend job search, networking, interviewing and other preparation workshops Step 2: Applying for jobs Attend job fairs. Search for jobs on College Central Network and other job search sites.
Option 4: Transfer Checklist Step 1: Choosing Transfer Schools Explore colleges Similar to the career priorities, decide on your transfer priorities. What is most important for you about the college you will transfer to? Size? Location? Programs offered? Visit each college as a way to explore and research schools Take a tour of the campus Talk with students on campus Prioritize schools (1st, 2nd, 3dr choice) Talk with a transfer coach in HACC's Transfer Services office Step 2: Apply to schools Apply online through the college’s website, be aware of application deadlines and scholarship deadlines for transfer schools What is the deadline to apply?_______________________ Is there a deadline to apply for your major? _____________________ Do you need references from HACC faculty, advisor, etc.? __________ Do you need to complete standardized testing for admissions? ___________ When do you need to send official transcripts? ________________ Complete the FAFSA with the new school code or do you need to add the school code? ______________________ Apply for scholarships at the college or at an outside scholarship service like fastweb.com ___________________ Attend orientation at the new school. When is it held? _______ Get a copy of their planning guide. Request one or go to their website and print the published graduation requirements. ______________________ Do you need to move? If yes, do you have a moving plan? _____________________ Contact HACC's Transfer Services for additional information at Email: HACC Transfer Services _______________________________________ Additional information you need to find out? ___________________________________ Additional steps you need to take? ____________________________________
Option 5: Clinical Application Checklist List the clinical program for which you plan to apply: Who is the Program Director? Have you met with the Program Director? When is the deadline to apply? Do you need references from HACC faculty, advisor, etc.? Do you need to complete standardized testing (e.g. TEAS)? Do you need to submit clearances or background checks? Do you need to have a physical or vaccinations? If so, which ones? Do you have to attend orientation for clinicals? If yes, when? Have you developed a “parallel path” with your advisor? If so, what is that path? Additional information you need to find out? ___________________________________________________________________ Additional steps you need to take? _____________________________________________________________