Career Service
Career planning
Career Planning is a continuous career development process through which learners aspire to understand their personal, family, school, work, and community experiences and the importance they may have in doing career and lifestyle choices.
How several times have you been asked, "What do you wish to do when you graduate from high school?" Do you respond, "Go on to further education or training, go to work, go to travel, take time off to decide, or I don't have idea?" How can parents assist students do life and work decisions after high school? It is easier to do informed, correct decisions concerning future directions if you know the questions to ask, and have access to career information and resource material.

Career Planning Process
The Career Planning/Competency Model animates individuals to investigate and take information that enables them to synthesize, gain competencies, take decisions, set goals and take action. Each individual fluctuates in their progress through each of these stages for several reasons. Some improve quickly through each or all of the stages while others progress more slowly. Individuals may repeat all or parts of the career development process at diverse points throughout their lives as values, interests, abilities, and life circumstances change.

Each of the following steps explores the Career Planning Model

Step One: Self-Assessment

This step comprehends to accumulate information about you to assist in making a decision about a career. By formulating an understanding of self (values, interests, aptitudes, abilities, personal traits, and desired life style) you should become aware of the interrelationship between self and occupational choice.

Start by:

  • Learning interests, abilities, skills, and work values
  • Listing accomplishments
  • Understanding physical and psychological needs
  • Assessing aspirations and motivation level
  • Deciphering personal traits and characteristics
Competency Areas:

As you commence to develop a better understanding of yourself, you will obtain the following competencies:
  • Gain self-awareness.
  • Improve self-confidence.
  • Understand time and stress management.
  • Develop personal/professional management skills.
Strategies For Gaining Self-Assessment Competencies:

The following list gives concrete examples of ways to gain competencies for self-assessment.
  • Take exploratory classes.
  • Attend workshops for study skills, time management and stress management.
  • Join activity clubs or professional clubs.
  • Allow regular time for leisure, hobbies and friends.
  • Identify symptoms of stress.
  • Identify personality style.
  • Identify work values.
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills in expressing feelings and ideas.
  • Demonstrate skills in overcoming self-defeating behaviors.

Step Two: Academic/Career Options

This step permits you to explore the world of work in a bigger proportion, narrow a general occupational direction into a concrete one through an informed decision making process, and declare a major. You will commence to observe potential careers, gather information about those careers, and match the career information with the results from your self-assessment.

Start by:

  • Learning academic and career entrance requirements.
  • Learning related majors and careers to one's interests.
  • Investigating education and training required.
  • Learning skills and experience required.
  • Planning academic and career alternatives.
  • Learning job market trends.
Competency Areas:
  • Gain research and investigative skills.
  • Practice decision-making, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
  • Enhance internal locus of control.
  • Increase understanding of how abilities, interests, and values match career/academic requirements.
Strategies for Gaining Competencies:

Strategies are those concrete items that lead you to acquiring a specific goal or competency.
  • Investigate careers in the Career Resource Library.
  • Conduct Informational Interviews to acquire information.
  • Spend a day on the job with two professionals in different careers.
  • Seek information from academic advisors and career counselors.
  • Invite two professors to a student group meeting to discuss academic fields.
  • Take courses or attend workshops in areas where transferable skills will be gained (i.e. communications, computer knowledge, foreign languages, diversity and international studies).
  • Attend Job/Career Fairs and/or Career Panels.
  • Participate in the Study Abroad program.
  • Work on a university, resident hall or club event.
  • Join an intramural team.
  • Run for an elected office.
  • Start a small business.
  • Be a camp counselor or Big Brother/Sister volunteer.
  • Volunteer as a campus tour guide or in a service organization.

Step Three: Relevant/Practical Experience

In Step III you commence to evaluate occupational alternatives and obtain practical experience through internships, cooperative education, relevant summer employment, volunteer work and campus activities. You will start to make more concrete decisions about occupational choices and confirm the decisions made during Step II.

Start by:

  • Learning about the types of related, practical experience available as a co-op or intern student in your areas of interest.
  • Testing new skills and try diverse experiences.
  • Deciding the type of organization in which to volunteer or work.
  • Assessing likes and dislikes of work values, skills, work environments, responsibilities, etc.
  • Assessing if additional/different coursework or skills are needed for your targeted career goals.
Competency Areas:
  • Improve interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
  • Gain an appreciation for working with individuals from diverse cultures.
  • Understand and practice ethical behavior.
  • Gain supervisory/leadership/teamwork skills.
  • Enhance self-management skills.
  • Obtain work related, transferable skills.
  • Develop conflict resolution skills.
Explore Competencies to gain understanding in how they are gained.

Strategies for Gaining Competencies:
  • Strategies are those concrete items that lead you to acquiring a specific goal or competency. Participate in the Alumni Extern Program.
  • Complete a co-op, intern or volunteer experience in your area of interest.
  • Work part-time or during summer to acquire new skills and experiences.
  • Choose course electives to compliment your career goals.
  • Conduct Informational Interviews.
  • Attend Career/Job Fairs.
  • Attend relevant conferences and seminars.
  • Participate in student exchange or Study Abroad program.
  • Become familiar with work settings and job descriptions.
  • Practice making decisions by supervising a group of people.
  • Act as a leader in a student or civic organization.
  • Practice public speaking in classes or in organizations.
  • Tutor students in various subjects.
  • Develop a new campus organization.
  • Talk to alumnus/a about your career goals.
  • Join a professional organization.

Step Four: Job Search/Graduate School Preparation

An initial occupational decision is made during Step IV. You will commence to preparation for and conducting a job search, and/or apply to graduate/professional school. You will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to move into an occupation.

Start by:

    Learning how to prepare resume and cover letters, and complete employment applications.
  • Learning and implementing job search strategies.
  • Learning and practicing interviewing skills.
  • Researching graduate programs and financial aid packages.
Competency Areas:
  • Demonstrate ability to write correspondence in a coherent, professional manner.
  • Communicate verbally in a clear, concise manner.
  • Effectively use networking, problem-solving, and decision making to reach career goals.
  • Develop budgeting skills in relation to the job search, travel, and relocation.
Strategies For Gaining Competencies:

Strategies are those concrete items that lead you to acquiring a specific goal or competency.
  • Work on an academic project with a professor or develop an independent study project.
  • Investigate specialty areas within graduate programs; determine strengths and weaknesses of graduate programs.
  • Complete applications and the GRE, GMAT, LSAT or other tests required for graduate work.
  • Register with Career Planning & Placement Services.
  • Review resume with a career counselor or professional in your career choice.
  • Develop a budget for the job/graduate school search.
  • Enroll in a financial planning course.
  • Receive referrals from Career Planning & Placement Services.
  • Listen to vacancies via the Vacancy Information Phone Service.
 
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