Your desired profession likely played a major role

(ECE205: Introduction to Child Development my class)

Identify, Research, Plan, Act, Revise (IRPAR)

Your desired profession likely played a major role in your selected field of study and the degree you plan to earn. Knowing the career you want to pursue is an important first step to creating a professional guide and personal framework to achieve your career goals. To ensure that you achieve your goals it is helpful to develop a plan of action, prioritize your goals and proceed according to your plan. Please keep in mind that your Career Plan is a work in progress. As you acquire additional career resources and professional knowledge, you may find it helpful to revise your plan and continue your learning to meet your goals.

For this journal, you will research the requirements for your potential career path, reflect on your current skill set, and begin to examine the steps necessary to reach your career goals. The purpose for this journal is to help you create an organized career plan using the resources provided below.

To prepare for this journal, begin by reading the Career Planning Step-by-Step article that discusses the importance of developing a clear career plan. Next, consider how you can develop your personal plan.

Creating Your Career Plan

For additional details, view the presentation How do I build my career path?

Identify the job title you hope to enter

Establish your career/professional goals

Identify your competencies and professional preferences

Analyze your career –specific competencies

Create a professional development plan to achieve your career goals

Revisit and revise as needed

In a one-to-two page word document or equivalent Power Point:

Identify your long-term goals (What do you hope to accomplish in the next five-to-ten years?)

Explore the skills and qualifications related to this type of role

Discuss the anticipated resources necessary to meet the goals you identified

For additional guidance, see the following recommended resources:

Review the Roadmap to Success, an interactive tool to help you gather information that you may wish to include in your career plan.

Watch the Resources for Developing an Effective Career Plan pre-recorded webinar (54 minutes).