A career action plan is a road map that can help you reach your short-term and long-term goals. After you have completed a self-assessment, researched career options, and decided on a career path, the next step is to take action.
Here’s how to start:
Set “SMART” goals:
- Specific–identify your goal clearly and specifically
- Measureable–Include clear criteria to determine progress and accomplishment
- Attainable–the goal should have a 50 percent or greater chance of success
- Relevant–the goal is important and relevant to you
- Timebound–commit to a specific timeframe
Break Your Goals into Groups
- Short-term goals: achieve in one year or less.
- Long-term goals: achieve in one to five years.
Create a Career Action Plan
- Write down your action steps so you can check them off as you complete them.
- Note any actions that need to be completed to help you reach your goals. Prioritize the actions according to deadlines and importance whether your goal is to search for a job,an internship, or to apply to graduate school.
- Be realistic about expectations and timelines. Don’t try to take on more than you can reasonably manage.
- Be specific and do your homework. Understand exactly what steps will be required to achieve each goal.
Barriers You May Face
- List barriers that you think could be a challenge and find solutions.
Keep Moving, Celebrate Success, and Amend
- Above all, keep taking steps, even if they are sometimes small.
- Reward yourself as you complete the steps.
- Amend your career action plan as needed if your goals and priorities change.
Source by https://gecd.mit.edu
