The following post is by Kate Cunningham, who writes about online university rankings.
It’s no secret that the best way to get something done is to plan for it. The same goes for your career. Not as daunting as is sounds, career planning is simply mapping out the necessary steps you need to take to obtain the position you desire. Dream jobs are rarely handed out and are usually only secured through hard work and determination. To get where you want to be and land the job title you most covet, it never hurts to begin planning.
Choose your destination.
You can’t plan for something if you don’t know what it is. Whether you decided what you wanted to be at the age of five or are just starting to figure it out, you should take some time to figure out what your ideal job looks like. Career planning is not something that should be thought about after you have been handed a diploma. If you have chosen a major, you have already begun to plan your career. Earning the right degree can be the minimum requirement that qualifies you for that dream job, and your educational background is the foundation you will begin to build your career on. Explore all the possible career opportunities that are in your reach with a particular degree, and think about the destination you want your career to lead to.
Get directions.
While there is a set path that leads to some jobs, there may be several different paths that lead to others. One of the best ways to figure out what path leads to your ideal occupation, is simply to ask for directions. Informational interviews are typically the most informative and helpful way to do this. These types of interviews give those who are looking for direction and insight in their careers the chance to obtain occupational information from a professional who has been there. Look up people who hold a job title that you hope to eventually possess, and contact them about setting up a time where you can meet with them. Be sure to come to the meeting prepared to ask questions about their work and educational history and find out what type of experience led them to their current position. While following a particular path is not a guarantee of a particular job, after talking to some people who have been there you may have a better idea of what kind of career goals you need to set to get you where you want to be.
Climb the ladder.
Chances are, your dream job isn’t exactly one at entry-level. If someday you really want to have that particular job title, you are not only going to have to work for it, but also progress towards it. If there is an ideal job you are determined to one day work in, you should never spend more than two years in any related position along the way. Learn all you can in each job you hold, but move on once you have. This doesn’t mean jumping from job to job; after all, no one wants to hire a quitter. Go to jobs that will advance your career. By doing this, you will become more and more qualified and eventually just might move up to your dream job.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Kate Cunningham, who writes on the topics of online university rankings. She welcomes your questions and comments at her email Id: cn.kate1 @ gmail.com.