| We can talk about how your career development | | | | Are there things which you can do which are outside |
| plan should be constructed, how it should allow for | | | | the generally accepted qualifications and courses for |
| possible changes in career path along the way, but | | | | your career but might put you forward as the one |
| what do you actually put into it? | | | | best suited? Are there magazines you should |
| Anything you want. That may not be the answer | | | | subscribe to in order to become more knowledgeable |
| you were expecting to hear but it's the right one. | | | | about your profession? Are there websites or blogs |
| There is no right and wrong content to your career | | | | that will keep you abreast of developments? How |
| development plan. It is for you to decide its direction. | | | | can you put yourself in a better position to succeed? |
| Only you can decide its goals so it is for you to | | | | Each of those things is an element of your plan. Each |
| decide what it is composed of. However, perhaps | | | | should be written down and referred to. Most |
| the following will help you make some of those | | | | importantly, they have to be acted upon - otherwise |
| decisions. | | | | you are going nowhere! |
| The point of your career plan is to help you outline | | | | A final important element in any career development |
| what you want to do then break that outline down | | | | plan is your mental state. Not just your academic |
| into achievable career steps. It doesn't all have to be | | | | abilities but your motivation. How do you feel about |
| written in stone - some careers won't allow that and | | | | the pursuit of your career goals? Are they really your |
| a degree of flexibility is necessary because you will | | | | targets or are they perhaps from someone else? |
| certainly meet obstacles along the way. However, | | | | Friends and family mean well, but they're not you. If |
| you must start with where you are and at least a | | | | the goals are not really yours either they will be |
| certain number of career targets. You must also | | | | difficult to achieve. |
| write it down and refer to it. | | | | Everybody gets down sometimes. Things don't |
| First you have to look at your current employment | | | | always go to plan. That's life. At times like that it's |
| position and your current qualifications. Then you | | | | easy for your career development plan to have all |
| need to look at what the next step is. What | | | | kinds of negative feelings associated with it. |
| qualifications will help you achieve the next level or | | | | Examining whether those feelings are real or passing |
| what courses should you take? If you are successful, | | | | is not easy to do but it is necessary. Maybe you just |
| what happens after that? How far can you sensibly | | | | need a bit of positive reinforcement? |
| and logically take that progression? | | | | |