Career Resource Center 4-Step Career Action Plan
The key concept to remember when choosing a career path is that, in the USA, we don’t have to remain in one job our entire adult life. So when answering these questions, keep your answers focused on the present, knowing you can change your mind if and when you outgrow your current career choices.
Step 1: Self-Assessment
Who am I? What do I want? Where am I going? What are my current skills? Knowledge? Qualifications? What are my current interests? What do I enjoy? (see Self-Discovery Tools)
Step 2: Obtaining Career Information
How much money do I need to make? (see Multiple Streams of Income for salary information)
What jobs/positions intrigue me? See our Job Search and What Can I Do with a Degree in Psychology pages.
Occupational Outlook Handbook Lists training and education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job, and working conditions, plus job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more.
AskERIC The Educational Resources Information Center. (ERIC) provides access to education-related literature including resources for counselors
Step 3: Career Preparation
What areas do I need to develop in order to be qualified for the jobs I’m interested in? Who needs what I have to offer? How do I make them want me? What’s my plan for maintaining sanity while making these important decisions?
Step 4: Marketing
Polish your Resume and Interviewing Skills. Keep your career-planning log updated with interview results, assessments of how you performed during job interviews, and contacts made.
Step 5: Networking
Marketing Yourself lots of information on how to find and land that job you want
10 Tips for Marketing Yourself and Your Business If you want to work for yourself, start here—there are links to a lot of relevant material.
Personal Marketing Strategy “How to Approach Your Job Search” from About.com
LinkedIn A free network of professionals for references and contacts.
