How to Start a Career Action Plan

With the proper action plan for your career goals, you can enhance your knowledge and skillset to achieve your career ambitions. Southern Careers Institute is dedicated to providing educational tools and guidance to help our students succeed in their chosen industry. From business and technology to medical and skilled trades, SCI offers an extensive selection of programs and services to help you establish a solid education and career action plan.

What is a Career Action Plan?

A career action plan is a comprehensive and organized series of goals that will help you to achieve your professional ambitions. A career development action plan also provides a thorough analysis of your employment history, education, professional training, and special skills. Additionally, it provides clearly outlined long- and short-term goals. Furthermore, a good career action plan will help you to identify potential barriers that could prevent you from reaching your target. This will help you can improve your experience, education, and overall skill set to overcome these challenges.

So, in order to begin the process of growing your career, it is important to understand how to write a plan for your career. In this article, we have summarized the 7 career action plan steps that will help you organize your career path and meet your professional goals. 

Creating a Career Action Plan

A career action plan is a snapshot of your professional abilities and experience. In your plan, take the time to thoroughly describe and analyze the following:

Employment History:

Similar to a resume, this will help you to see your past work experience and plan for your future employment goals.

Education and Training:

Review your education and training and compare it with the education and training required for your current and future career goals. For example, a plan of action in a health career may require additional certifications or training in industry-specific areas.

Take a Self-Assessment:

If you are unsure of your skill level or knowledge of a given subject, it is a great idea to take a self-assessment. The U.S. Department of Labor has created the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to provide students and professionals with tools to analyze their career skills and knowledge. 

Skills Inventory:

Thoroughly analyze your education and career experience, and create a comprehensive list of the skills that you have learned. This will help you to determine which skills you already have for your chosen profession, and which skills you need to hone in order to reach your professional goals.

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals:

Set reasonable short-term and long-term goals for your career plan. Be sure to set goals that are challenging yet attainable, so that you can tell when you are making noticeable progress without growing discouraged.

Identify Barriers to Reaching Goals:

When considering your long term goals, review the requirements for your dream job and plan ways to surmount the barriers between your current position, whether it is additional education, expanding your skill set, or obtaining a position within a particular industry. 

Plan Action Steps for Each Goal:

For each goal on your plan, create specific steps that you will use to achieve that goal. Not only will this give you an easy-to-follow path to each of your goals, but it will also help you to chart your progress.

Importance of a Career Plan

Career action plans are a critical tool for measurable professional development. Without a sufficient plan, you may find yourself moving away from your ultimate career goals. If you aren’t sure how to organize your plan, there are a variety of resources available.

The Federal Acquisition Institute offers an excellent professional career action plan example for contractors that serves as a useful guideline for numerous professions. For individuals who are completing their high school or secondary education and just beginning their professional journey, there are various career action plan examples and skill development tools for students at Youth.gov.

With a reliable career action plan, you can dedicate your time and resources toward a tangible goal. In addition, a dedicated career plan will lay a clear path for you with multiple goals to keep you motivated and forward-facing.

Planning for Your Future Career 

At Southern Careers Institute, we are dedicated to helping our students plan, establish, and grow careers they love. We offer a wide array of courses and programs to help jump start your career in a broad range of industries, including:

• Business
• Beauty
• Medical
• Technology
• Skilled Trades

SCI offers both online and on-site courses from eight convenient locations throughout Texas, including:

• Austin
• Brownsville
• Corpus-Christi
• Harlingen
• Pharr
• San Antonio North
• San Antonio South
• Waco

Our easy-access locations and online resources allow you to advance your professional education. They also allow you to do so while working around your home and professional life. Whether you are new to your profession or advancing your career, let Southern Careers Institute help you create your career action plan and advance your professional goals. You deserve Recognition – Get the Promotion and Raise You Want. Apply today to start your professional journey with Southern Careers Institute.

Sources: 

https://southerncareer.wpengine.com/about-sci/

https://southerncareer.wpengine.com/programs/

https://southerncareer.wpengine.com/career-services/

https://www.fai.gov/tools/contracting-professionals-career-roadmap

https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-employment/career-exploration-and-skill-development

https://southerncareer.wpengine.com/locations/