STEC@UKZN

Having a successful career does not happen by chance or accident. You need to spend time reflecting on what type of career would best suit you and how you wish pursue this. Career planning provides you with a roadmap to your future and indicates how you going to get from Point A (present day) to Point B (your ultimate goal).

Having a clear goal in mind helps you identify the necessary actions you need to take in order to achieve success. Actions that you take could be in the form of searching for information about a career, attending expos or looking at the trends within the field of the chosen career.

If you are undecided about a career and need some clarity, spend some time getting to know yourself more.

You can start by ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where am I now internally, in terms of a career?
2. Where do I want to be?
3. What do I want out of a job or career?
4. What do I like to do?
5. What are my strengths?
6. What is important to me?

1. Explore occupations that interest you and ask yourself how do my skills and interests match up with these occupations?

2. Where are the gaps?

3. What options do I have to gain these skills or qualify for these occupations?

4. What skills do I need?

5. Where is the work?

Ask yourself:

1. What are my best work/training options?
2. How do they match with my skills, interests and values?
3. How do they fit with the current labour market?
4. How do they fit with my current situation and responsibilities?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
6. What will help and what will hinder me?
7. What can I do about it?

Begin by asking yourself:

1. What actions/steps will help me achieve my work, training and career goals?
2. Where can I get help?
3. Who will support me?

At the end of this step you will have:

Explore your options further (e.g. work experience, work shadowing or more research); or plan out the steps to help you achieve your next learning or work