Goals:

• describe factors of a personal assessment for career planning
• discuss methods for obtaining career experience
• identify information sources for available jobs

Key Terms:

• values
• talent
• ability

Planning Your Career  

• Personal Assessment – How can you make sure you select a job you will enjoy and that fits your life situation? Your career planning activities should start with self assessment of your, interests, values and abilities.
  Interests – Your interests provide a basis for your employment goals and possible career paths. If you have strong social tendencies, working with people may be for you. If you enjoy investigating situations, a career in some type of research should be considered. What are some topics that interest you? 
  Values – are things that are important to you. There are lots of exercises and questionnaires  designed to show you how you rank items such as prestige, money, power, achievement, independence, security, belonging and serving others. Each of these may influence you, directly or indirectly, when you select your life’s work.
  • Is it important for me to earn a lot of money?
  • Am I mainly interested in work that provides a service for others?
  • Is it important for me to have an occupation that others think is important even if I do not really care for it?
  • Do I want an occupation that is very challenging and may require additional schooling?
  • Would I be willing to start a job that pays a lower salary than another if that job was more challenging and offered better opportunities for future advancement?
  • Do I consider investing money in education or occupational training as important as spending for other things?

Another question to better understand you values is:  “What would you do if someone gave you a large sum of money to be used in any way you desire?”
Would you start your own business?
Would you hire a jet and travel around the world?
Would you set up a foundation to support underprivileged children?
Would you buy the trendiest wardrobe ever?
Would you use the money to finance an expensive education?
Your answers will reveal something about your personal values.
Talents and Abilities – Everyone has certain talents and abilities. A talent is a natural, inborn aptitude to do certain things. Ability is the quality of being able to perform a mental or physical task.

You can learn about your abilities in a number of ways. Think about the courses you have taken and the grades you have received in school. What kind of courses have you taken? In which ones have you excelled? Which courses have been easiest? Which ones have been most difficult? Answering these questions will help you identify your talents and abilities.
Abilities can be developed. If you are weak in a certain area, you may want to take courses that will help you improve that area. Work to strengthen your weak areas before you go to work full-time. You can plan your courses and future activities to help you grow toward your chosen career.

• Employment Experience – Most people have more career skills than they realize. You can obtain more career-oriented abilities in four main ways.
  Work-Study Programs – These programs provide an occasion to develop a variety of on-the-job skills. You will not only learn about the technical aspects of the job, but you will also learn to interact in the work setting.
  Internships involve work experience in organizations while learning about a career field. Internships for careers in accounting, finance, marketing, and communications are available with many companies and nonprofit organizations. Applying for an internship is similar to applying for a job.
  Part-Time Employment – can provide valuable experience. These work situations will allow you to see if you enjoy a particular career field. Your part-time work helps you make business contacts. These people will be able to help guide you and offer support throughout your working life.
  Volunteer Activities – Involvement in community service can result in gaining career experiences and improving work habits. Volunteering in community organizations also helps you develop organizational skills while making future career contacts.
  School Activities – Class assignments can provide work-related experiences. Research and communication skills are developed when you prepare reports and oral presentations. Working on team projects offers you a chance to interact with others, a skill willable in every career. School clubs and organizations can result in a range of valuable skills. Goal setting, planning, supervising and delegating responsibility are activities needed in many employment settings.
• Sources of Available Jobs