Career Planning Overview

Choosing a major or defining an initial career path is an exciting opportunity for you to examine your hopes and dreams and make lifestyle choices. Like the world-of-work, people are a dynamic and evolving individual. Experts predict that on average people will make 10 to 12 shifts in their career direction over the course of a lifetime. Our goal is to teach you skills that will guide you throughout the course of your life.

There are TWO GREAT MYTHS about career planning:

• There is only one true or best occupation possible for you.
• Someone (a career coach) or something (a career “test”) can tell you what it is.

There are multiple environments and life roles in which people find satisfaction. Though career “tests” can provide important and valuable insights and “career coaches” can be catalysts in helping you explore and grow your ideas, you are the only one who knows what is most important to you at any given time. The best career choices are achieved through the processes of self-exploration and values-clarification which are lifelong processes.

How can career coaches help me?

Career coaches are trained to help you meaningfully interpret sophisticated career assessments. It is important to keep in mind that though career assessments may be excellent at sorting and differentiating interest and personality patterns, they do not assess your skills and abilities or sort based on your personal “success criteria” such as desired salary range or employment availability. Career coaches can aid you in thinking holistically, even synergistically about your results, and help you transform the information into achievable action plans.

How can I get started?

Research suggests that the best place to start the career planning process, including choice of a major, is with self-assessment. Follow up with exploration of the world-of-work and the world-of-education and training. We encourage you to “Start Somewhere, Trust the Learning Process, and Keep Going!”

Click here to view suggested career exploration activities or contact a career coach to schedule an "intake" appointment.