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Career Planning

Do you feel stuck in a career that you don’t like?

Are you having doubts about your current career path?

Do you have a career goal?

Do you lack information about a career or industry?

Career planning can help.

Figuring out what career to pursue can be stressful especially if you are unaware of the steps involved. Career planning is the process which allows you to identify your goals and the necessary steps to help you reach them. There are three essential steps in the career planning process: (1) self assessment which can accomplished through career testing (2) career exploration and research and (3) job search.

Why is Career Planning Important?

Career planning can occur at many stages in your life and is an ongoing process. It is essential for you to discover the right fit between who you are and your career. This can occur when you are initially thinking about what university major or training program to enter. It can also occur if you have been working in a particular field and are looking for a change. Ultimately, it does not matter whether you are just entering the job market or transitioning between careers – the process is the same. 

Three Essential Steps

1) Self Assessment – Before you can look for work you need to discover your interests, skills, personality traits, and values. In addition you will need to think about what you are looking for in terms of work life. This can be done through career testing.

I offer two web based career tests that will help us understand your personality traits and your career interests. If you are interested in taking part in the career planning process and would like more information about how I can help please contact me today.

2) Career Exploration and Research – Once you have a good understanding of who you are and what you like you are then ready to investigate all the career options and opportunities available to you. This will include research on different careers as well as finding out about what is needed which may include additional training and/or education. Career counseling will help you to identify a clear goal for you next steps.

3) Job Search – At this stage in the process you will have a sound understanding of your opportunities as well as specific careers to pursue. You will then need to prepare yourself for the job market. This will include various job searching skills such as resume and cover letter writing, networking abilities and interviewing skills.

When is Career Planning Useful?

1) You are Looking to Change your Career

Times are changing which means that you are likely to change careers over your lifetime. Despite this being a common task it can be a very difficult and challenging one to accomplish. You may be looking to change fields completely or perhaps you want to do something different within your own particular field. Whatever the case may be career counseling can provide you with the steps you need to clarify goals and set you in the right direction.

The key to a successful career choice is finding the right fit.

Some things to think about:

Do you enjoy the work that you presently do?
Are there external conflicts that are contributing to your unhappiness at work?
Are you getting along with your colleagues?
Do you enjoy the company culture and work environment?
Do you like the industry as a whole?

2) You are currently a student looking to choose a major

The idea of choosing a career can feel like a daunting task especially with the different options that exist out there. If you are a high school, cegep or university student and are trying to identify a career path or choose a major then career counseling can help. It is natural not to feel equipped with the right resources and skills to even know where to start.

The key to choosing a right major is to identify your personal interests, skills, values and personality traits in order to help you target an area of interest.

Some things to think about:

Do you have any particular interests or skills?
Do you spend time thinking about what you would like to do in the future?
Do you talk to friends and family about different types of careers?
Do you know what type of future you envision for yourself?

For current career clients please click here for career testing login.