11.2: Assess Your Progress and Create Your Plan of Action
At the beginning of 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 you completed. 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 Activity 11.2 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.
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.
Option 1: UndecidedStep 1:
Step 2:
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Option 2: Graduation ChecklistStep 1: Graduation Planning
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Option 3: Job Search ChecklistStep 1: Job Search Preparation
Step 2: Applying for jobs
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Option 4: Transfer ChecklistStep 1: Choosing Transfer Schools
Step 2: Apply to schools
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Option 5: Clinical Application Checklist
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