Prepared by: Engr. Maria Diorella A. Paguio

Career Planning is an on-going process that involves making positive choices about the direction you want your work and study life to take. For the young and older adult population, it is important for you to assess where you are if you are to meet your needs and turn your dreams into reality.

The unemployed and unskilled worker in transition with little experience in the workforce has different needs from the young adult student looking to launch a first time professional or technical career. The older adult, who has been recently affected by an employer's reorganization, faces a different set of issues.

All populations can benefit from the career planning process of self-assessment, exploring career opportunities in the world of work and learning assertive job search strategies that produce results. This is where your career path begins - learning about yourself, exploring career, and beginning your job search.

Remember, career planning can be a life-long process. Few people stay in one job or on one career path throughout their lives, and you may find yourself completing the circle more than once along the way. Take a moment to follow the process and see where it takes you.

Figure 1: Career Planning Steps

Self-Assessment/Knowing Yourself Look into yourself to discover your interests, skills, personality and values. What do I like to do?, What activities do I find fun, motivating, interesting and enjoyable?, What skills and abilities do I have or want to develop?, What personal style or characteristics do I have that is important to me in the work place?, What purpose or goal do I want to accomplish in my career? Self-Assessment simply means asking yourself the following questions: What do I like to do?, What activities do I find fun, motivating, interesting and enjoyable?, What skills and abilities do I have or want to develop?, What personal style or characteristics do I have that is important to me in the work place?, What purpose or goal do I want to accomplish in my career?

Career Exploration Exploring careers means investing all the career choices, options and opportunities available to you. Attend career fairs, visit a career center in your school or your community, talk to people in various careers, shadow or spend time one day with people in various careers, shadow or spend time one day with people in careers that interest you. Ask them, "How did you get started in this career?" "What is a typical day like?" " What type of training or education is required?" "What is the starting and average salary?“

Career Exploration Next, Set some goals. Look at the careers that interest you. Ask yourself, "What do I have to do to prepare for these careers?" " How much education or training does it take to prepare for each one of them?" After you gather information about education and training, set goals for yourself to attain the required training.

Job Search Once you've decided on a career path and made strides in getting the required training and education, you'll need to begin searching for a job that suits you. Job searching skills include knowing how to write a resume and cover letter, how to network to find job openings, filling out applications, and interviewing for a job. You'll learn more about these skills.

In addition to finding out what type of careers interest you and suit your abilities, by going through this process you will: Realize the many career choices that are open to you. Have an increased sense of self-awareness and self- confidence, as you will be more consciously aware of your strengths

Be aware of your weaknesses, and thus, be in a position to do something about them. For example, if you learn that you are not comfortable speaking in front of a group of people, then you can overcome this by taking a public speaking course. Develop a well-targeted resume. You will know more about what skills and experience are required for a position and those skills employers seek out. Employers receive many qualified applications. To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate a high degree of self-awareness for who you are, what you have to offer, and where you plan to be in the future.

Be prepared for interviews. By learning more about yourself you will be able to easily answer interview questions with precision and focus.