The Art of Planning your Career

From meeting hundreds of people in my career, I have seen the importance of conquering how to get from point A to point B. Making a career move can be a difficult decision, which is why planning out how to get where you want to be is crucial. You do not have to let the marketplace dictate your career, you can map out and create your own path!

I am going to compare your career plan to traveling since I really enjoy traveling. When I want to go on a trip, I follow four steps: decide, research, book and enjoy. Most likely you will have things change during your trip, but having the proper resources and information are important to planning. Just like your career, you can use several avenues to obtain answers and learn what you want to do. Here are some key tools to help plan for a successful career:

• Goal Setting: When it comes to setting goals, everyone has a different way to go about them. A values list and SMART goals are two approaches that you can use to develop your plan, so you can choose the best option that works better for you.

• Values List: A values list is a useful tool you can use to analyze what is important to you and your lifestyle. To design one, list ten traits that are most important to you in your career and life then define them. Common examples include location, culture, work/life balance and compensation. Once you have made your list, rank them from one to ten. Your number one ranked trait should be the most important one. Another blog post on our website talks about how to make an effective values list, which you can check out here. In relation to planning a trip, a values list is the decision portion. You can discover your options, look for deals and self-reflect where you want to go. For example, if you are thinking of going to San Francisco, why? Do you want to visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge? Explore Fisherman’s Wharf or walk the grounds of The Golden Gate Park?

• SMART Goals: Now that you have done your research, planned and booked your trip, it is now destination time! What is important to do during the trip? Narrow down what you really want to do and what is worth your time. When it comes to your career, what are your goals? They need to SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Write them down and put them in a noticeable spot where you can see it every day. Who cares if others see them? Let it be known. With your goals, you can also keep track of how you are doing with each one by journaling where you are.

• SWOT Analysis: Conducting a SWOT Analysis on yourself allows you to focus on your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This is an awesome opportunity to self-reflect and really figure out skills you can offer to benefit a company. A SWOT Analysis is similar to doing research to determine the best time to travel. There are positives and negatives to all travel times, regardless on where you go. For example, when I travel to the Caribbean, I tend to go during winter months to avoid the cold weather in Washington DC. On the flip side, it tends to be more expensive and attracts more tourists.

• Mentors and Network: Using your mentors and network are powerful tools to use. I would imagine that your mentor is one of the closest people to you in your professional career, and one who knows you the best. Mentors have a lot of knowledge, whether it is within the industry or your company. They are the ones who generally care about your professional success. If you need assistance, do not be afraid to ask them for advice or to make an introduction to an individual or potential opportunity. If you do not have a mentor, designforce is here for you. As career consultants, designforce help individuals map out a career plan in order for them to reach their professional goals. Similar to mentors and designforce, travel agents or people who have previously traveled to your destination have first-hand knowledge and can give you the “ins and outs” of the place.

Regardless of what stage you are in your career, you need to be true to yourself. Just like vacation, planning needs to be involved in order it for it to be successful. Even if there are bumps and detours on your vacation and career, be aware of what you are trying to achieve. You be the one who navigates your career. Enjoy your adventure!