Career Planning

1. Career Planning Designed by: Regina Crews, Secretary of Student Support Services

2. What is Career Planning? • Career planning is learning about yourself and the job market -- and then making choices based on what you have learned.

3. Career Planning Helps You: • Decide what type of job you want • Determine the skills you need • Discover ways to get those skills • Most people want more than “just a job.” Career planning is the key to getting what you want from work for years to come.

4. Career Planning Gives You • A better chance to get what you want from life. Careful planning can help you focus on jobs that are right for you. • Lasting skills in evaluating yourself and your career opportunities. Career planning skills can be used throughout your life.

5. Career Planning Resources • Placement/Career Office - Many schools and colleges offer a full range of help, including: skills and interest inventories, counselors, career libraries, workshops and seminars on resumes, interview skills and other job-seeking skills. They may also maintain placement files and set up interviews. • Library Reference Room - Librarians can be extremely helpful in locating the information you need. • Employment Agencies - Some private or public agencies offer job testing, counseling and list of potential employers. (Private agencies may charge fees.)

6. Ways to Help Yourself • Part Time Work - A part-time job can give you skills, career contacts and an understanding of what certain jobs are really like. • Volunteer Work - Working without pay lets you test job preferences and skills. It gives you the chance to gain valuable experience with different jobs and organizations. • Internships /Other Training Programs - Depending on the program, these may provide: work experience, college credits, contacts within a certain field, a salary.

7. Begin by Assessing Yourself • Think about your values. Consider which job rewards are most important for you. • Consider your ideal work environment. What job characteristics do you most like or dislike? • Examine your personality. Everyone has personal traits that affect career choices. Be honest about identifying yours. • Recognize your skills and experience. Consider skills you may have gained and used in past jobs, volunteer work, hobbies, school and social situations. Identify the skills you have developed and not just the tasks you have completed • Write out your own personal evaluation. List your values, preferred work environment, skills, interests, strengths and weaknesses. Be specific. • Set priorities. What would be most important to you about a job? Personal achievement? Using a particular skill? A high rate of pay?

8. Learn About Careers Available • Use people as a resource. Talk to professors, co-workers, career counselors, friends, neighbors, relatives and even previous employers. They may be able to tell you about different job titles, actual openings and the skills needed to perform them. • Use written resources. Check a library reference room or college placement service for resources that list job titles and the skills needed to do them. • Set up informational interviews. One way to investigate a particular type of work is to interview people who do it. Be prepared with some questions and listen carefully to answers. • Don’t limit yourself! Try not to think in terms of a specific job title. Think in terms of your skills -- “I communicate ideas well,” or “I enjoy complicated tasks.” You will find these skills useful in more than one job title

9. Find the Job You Want • What type of organization do you want to work in? Your skills may be valuable to many types of organizations. • What organizational style is best for you? Would you prefer a young company just getting on its feet or a more established organization? Do you like fast-paced, rapidly changing atmospheres or slower, more predictable environments? Would you like a formal, highly structured atmosphere or one that is less formal?

10. Identify Potential Employers • Placement Interviews - Many colleges and universities offer organizations the chance to recruit students. • Federal and State Employment Agencies - If you’re interested in federal or state employment, these can assist in scheduling job interviews for openings. • Job Fairs - Many organizations participate in job fairs to help recruit employees. • Newspaper and Magazine Ads - Although not every job is advertised, you may get valuable information and good leads from help-wanted ads.

11. Once You’ve Identified an Employer: • Send out your resume. Most experts suggest making the cover letter and resume specific to the organization and job. • Prepare for any interviews. Learn as much as you can about the organization before you arrive for the interview. Prepare questions to ask -- and be prepared to answer questions, too. • Use any personal contacts you have. If you know someone who is involved with the organization, ask if there is any advice he/she can give you. • Follow up with a thank-you letter. This is always in order after an interview.

12. Additional Tips • Accept help. You cannot find all the information you need by yourself. Let people help you. • Keep at it! Career planning takes time and energy, and people are rarely successful right away. • Focus on transferable skills. Concentrate on building and promoting skills that can be used in a wide range of jobs. Example: speaking well, writing, meeting deadlines, working well alone, team player, etc. • Be specific -- but flexible. The more precisely you can define the type of job and organization you want, the better your chances of success. But, be willing to consider different job titles and situations. • Keep up with your work. Your grades and references can show an employer your skills and character. • Build a network of contacts. Keep in contact with people who can help with your career plans. Seek references from past employers.

13. Begin the Process of Planning Today! • Assess yourself and your skills thoroughly. • Match your skills and preferences to specific types of work. • Target specific jobs and organizations. • Build the career you want.

14. Career Decision-Making Quiz • Exploring potential careers may include: a. Asking questions about salary, hours and educational requirements. b. Declaring a major right away. c. Visiting your school’s career center. d. Eliminating some good choices. e. “a” and “c”. • Why might people make their best interests a priority when choosing a career? a. They rate salary or stability as most important. b. They don’t realize that they will perform better at jobs they like. c. They feel they have to take the first job that comes along. d. All of the above. e. None of the above. • Success is measured by: a. Your personal set of values. c. Promotions b. Doing what is expected of you d. Power and wealth. • Be the best you can be at what you do. The money will come on its own. a. True b. False • Networking means making contacts for the purpose of seeking employment. a. True b. False

15. Thank you for participating in this workshop. Do not forget to complete and turn in an Academic Enrichment Summary. If you are viewing this workshop via the internet please come by the Student Support Services office to complete an Academic Enrichment Summary or click on the link in the directions box on the Workshop page and print one out or e-mail it to: rcrews@wallace.edu so that we may document your participation. Handouts available upon request. EXIT