career action plan example essay

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How To Develop and Write a Career Action Plan

A career action plan is a roadmap to your future

Dawn Rosenberg McKay is a certified Career Development Facilitator. She has written hundreds of articles on career planning for The Balance.

Choosing an Occupation for Your Career Action Plan

Goals: the foundation of your career action plan, how to write your career action plan, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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A career action plan is a roadmap that will guide you from the starting point in your career to a place where you feel like you're truly advancing. For example, a career action plan can help you choose an occupation and then guide you to getting a job and advancing in your career. Also referred to as an Individualized Career Plan or an Individualized Career Development Plan, a career action plan will help you reach your career goals .

Key Takeaways

• A career action plan is a roadmap that guides you to where you want to be in your career.
• Choose an occupation to craft your career action plan around, and then set goals that you want to achieve.
• The timeline for achieving your career action plan goals should start with your short-term ones and end with your primary objective.
• Be flexible—your career action plan can always change.

The first step in developing a career action plan is choosing an occupation. You can follow the career planning process in order to identify which occupation you want to have as a career. There are a few steps to follow.

Self Assessment

Try several different self-assessment tools to learn about your values, interests, aptitudes, and personality type. Your goal is to identify a list of suitable careers that match these traits. Ideally, there should be between 10 and 15 occupations on your list.

Career Exploration

Now that you know what occupations are suitable based on your self-assessment, begin exploring the ones that interest you. Don't do an extensive investigation into every single career on your list—only ones that are real possibilities deserve that sort of attention. For the others, read more about them before eliminating them from your list. The occupation that appears on the surface as something you wouldn't like could end up being the one that interests you the most.

Dig deeper into the careers that you would consider pursuing. It's smart to narrow down your list to three to five occupations.

Make a Match

Armed with information about several careers, begin to make a final decision. Think about the pros and cons of each of your options. Consider job duties, educational requirements , earnings, and job outlook. Not only must you enjoy your work, but it also has to support your lifestyle financially and should have decent job prospects. It is also imperative that you be able to fulfill the educational requirements. Choose the career that, based on this data, is the best fit for you.

Now that you have chosen a career, it is time to set goals that will make up the foundation of your career action plan. Include short-term objectives which you can reach in under a year and long-term ones that will take from one to five years to achieve.

A career action plan is different than a simple list of goals. It also includes all the steps you will need to take to reach them.

You can follow these steps to set goals for your career action plan:

• Make a list of every career goal you might want to achieve : Remember this is your list, and no one is judging what you put on it. These goals can be small, like getting a positive review from a boss, and big, like making a six-figure salary one day.
• Categorize your goals into short-term goals and long-term goals : Applying to college or a training program, for example, will take less than one year to do, so put that on the short-term goal list. On the other hand, getting your degree or finishing the program is generally a long-term one that could take four or more years.
• Identify barriers that could threaten your ability to reach your goals : There is likely to be something that comes up along the way. Considering what that could be and how it could impact your career action plan is important. You can then figure out if and how to overcome those challenges. If you can't find viable solutions, you may need to reformulate your goals. If, for instance, you have a learning disability that could impede your ability to earn a degree, find a college that provides students with resources to help them succeed.

Finally, it's time to write your career action plan. Your timeline for achieving your goals should start with your short-term ones and end with your primary objectives, such as getting your first job or being promoted to a certain title and salary. Some people find it helpful to begin their plan at the end with the primary objective. You could state the goal that will take the most time first, and work your way backward, putting a plan in place for how you could achieve it. There is no hard and fast rule, as long as your plan is easy for you to understand and follow.

List each of your goals and indicate how long it will take to achieve each one (just estimate the timing to the best of your ability).

Then, beneath each goal, write a bulleted list of every step you need to take to achieve that goal. In this bulleted list, you should also state the barriers that might get in the way, along with workable solutions for overcoming them.

Your career action plan should be flexible. Don't be afraid to make changes to it as you go, such as adding more short-term goals to the plan.

After you're done writing your career action plan, follow it. Set aside time on a weekly or daily basis to review it and the steps you need to take to reach your goals. You can even make a career action plan alongside a friend and then check in with each other every week. The important thing is to hold yourself accountable and take action on the plan.

Once you reach your primary objective and goal, you can start all over with a new career action plan.

What is a career action plan?

A career action plan is a document that outlines your plan and strategy for achieving your career goals. It can guide you from landing your first job to leveling up to the C-suite, if that's what you want to do. It's also known as an Individualized Career Plan or an Individualized Career Development Plan.

Why is it important to have a career action plan?

It's important to have a career action plan because it can help you achieve your career goals. It outlines smart steps that you can take to reach your career potential. From landing your first job to becoming a manager, a career action plan is a roadmap that you can follow so that you can advance in your career. Setting goals like this can help you reach milestones in life that you're proud of.

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Penn Law. " Career Advancement Minute: Setting Short-Term and Long-Term Career Goals ."

American Psychological Association. " Setting, Elaborating, and Reflecting on Personal Goals Improves Academic Performance ."

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Make a Career Plan

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A career plan lists short- and long-term career goals and the actions you can take to achieve them. Career plans can help you make decisions about what classes to take, and identify the extracurricular activities, research, and internships that will make you a strong job candidate. Below are some helpful steps to guide you in creating a career plan customized to your interests and ambitions. Still have questions? We are here to help — set up an appointment  with a Career Advisor to get started or review your plan.

8 Steps to an Effective Career Plan

• Identify Your Career Options.  Develop a refined list of career options by examining your interests, skills, and values through self-assessment . Narrow your career options by reviewing career information, researching companies , and talking to professionals in the field . You can further narrow your list when you take part in experiences such as shadowing, volunteering, and internships.
• Prioritize. It’s not enough to list options. You have to prioritize. What are your top skills? What interests you the most? What’s most important to you? Whether it’s intellectually challenging work, family-friendly benefits, the right location or a big paycheck, it helps to know what matters to you — and what’s a deal-breaker. We provide skills and values assessments — set up an appointment with a Career Advisor to take advantage of this service.
• Make Comparisons.  Compare your most promising career options against your list of prioritized skills, interests and values.
• Consider Other Factors.  You should consider factors beyond personal preferences. What is the current demand for this field? If the demand is low or entry is difficult, are you comfortable with risk? What qualifications are required to enter the field? Will it require additional education or training? How will selecting this option affect you and others in your life? Gather advice from friends, colleagues, and family members. Consider potential outcomes and barriers for each of your final options.
• Make a Choice.  Choose the career paths that are best for you. How many paths you choose depends upon your situation and comfort level. If you’re early in your planning, then identifying multiple options may be best. You may want several paths to increase the number of potential opportunities. Conversely, narrowing to one or two options may better focus your job search or graduate school applications.
• S pecific — Identify your goal clearly and specifically.
• M easureable — Include clear criteria to determine progress and accomplishment.
• A ttainable — The goal should have a 50 percent or greater chance of success.
• R elevant — The goal is important and relevant to you.
• T ime bound — Commit to a specific timeframe.
• Create Your Career Action Plan.  It’s important to be realistic about expectations and timelines. Write down specific action steps to take to achieve your goals and help yourself stay organized. Check them off as you complete them, but feel free to amend your career action plan as needed. Your goals and priorities may change, and that’s perfectly okay.
• Meet with a Career Advisor. Our advisors are here to help you make effective career decisions.  Make an appointment on Handshake to talk about your career options and concerns.

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Professional Career Action Plan: Example Essay By An Expert Writer To Follow

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Profession , Health , Professionalism , Management , Skills , Health Care , Healthcare , Organization

Words: 1500

Published: 03/30/2023

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Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3 Observe, learn, and apply effective leadership skills to achieve executive level perspective of the organization as a whole. Self-Awareness Professional strengths I am a problem solver and takes necessary actions for remedy through effective leadership. I face challenges by thinking outside the box in which situations requiring immediate action, leadership and being a team player allowed me to collaborate and work with people to come up with creative solutions I utilize my knowledge and learned capabilities to enhance my professional skills in order to contribute to organizational success.

Personal strengths

Optimism is one of my strongest qualities, which allowed me to see things on a positive perspective despite several challenges at hand. Optimism also allows me to foresee success by insinuating positive outlook not only on myself, but also to the people that I work with. I am people person, and constant engagement with others allow me to learn from them and also to enhance my social skills that is essential for an industry that deals with people situation on a regular basis.

Professional weaknesses

I believe that my professional weakness is my insufficient knowledge in areas of where technology is an essential. This means I need to work more on technical skills by engaging myself in tasks that will allow me to be more acquainted with tools such as unfamiliar computer software. Lack of professional network is also a considerable weakness that limit my growth in the organization in terms of exploring outside opportunities for the organization that can be addressed by becoming more acquainted with various individuals, which is an opportunity that I can get upon working in the organization.

Personal weaknesses

I get to be very critical with very little details even in my personal affairs. This attitude creates unnecessary pressure that I should eradicate in order to be effective in my assumed responsibilities. I become assertive regarding my thoughts and personal opinions about certain things, which I believe could create a tension with people around me, hence, such attitude will change or at least learn to be more assertive in appropriate situations. As a potential employee I have the professional strength to tackle challenges that I believe would be mutually beneficial for the organization and me. Being able to able difficult situation trough leadership and excellent social and communication skills are important attributes of an employee in the healthcare sector. In terms of personal strength, being optimistic creates an positive attitude that can be shared to the people that I work with and that would also allow me to see things ahead with positivity and enthusiasm. On the other hand, certain weaknesses had to be addressed, which are inadequacy in advanced technical skills, lack of professional network around me for added professional support. However, these professional weaknesses can be addressed trough continuous learning and enhancement of essential skills that will allow me to be more acquainted with various people in my field of profession. In addition, personal weaknesses such as overly assertive and overly critical about simple things can be changed by emphasizing positive outlook drawn from my strengths and learn to adapt more to every social and professional environment. After being accepted in the healthcare junior management position, my next goal is to be promoted to the senior management with new and greater opportunities for professional growth

Display ethical and equitable behavior in the organization

Commit to sound leadership practices, serves a primary resource for learning and development for non-senior peers, commit to improvements of professional service, and acknowledge codes of conduct (IHF, 2015)

Compensation requirements

Salary between $46,000 to 67,000 depending on years of experience, professional background, and academic attainment (Payscale, N.D.).

Basic health and insurance benefits including pension

Company culture An organization that values positive attitude and values respect towards the colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders (Punke, 2013) The healthcare industry and the organizations operating within the industry exhibit a strong sense of professionalism and attention to service quality.

Compromises

Self-management regarding behavioral issues is a significant factor to achieve leadership effectiveness in the healthcare sector. Gap analysis, plan, and execution Credentials Degree in Healthcare Management Responsibilities Create, plan, manage, and execute projects Training and development of staff, develop goals for strategic growth, and ensure care of facilities, manpower, assets, and finances (Locsin, 2014). Accomplishments (personal and professional) Completed professional leadership trainings and organizational leadership Completed necessary academic requirements Career management gaps (lacking credentials) Skills enhancement in advanced technological tools for healthcare management and operations is a must to increase competitiveness (Purnell, 1999). Significant years of professional experience in the chosen profession. Personal marketing Resume (must be accomplished by the client as it requires personal inputs and details) Cover letter (must be accomplished by the client as it requires personal inputs and details). Networking Join professional groups both online example is LinkedIn Stay connected with professionals within the field of healthcare to gain acquaintances with the key individuals in the industry Interviewing techniques and skills Two-way exploration technique, which allow both parties to determine if the candidate is a good fit for the organization and the job (Simonds, 2013). Asking question that sounds personal instead of directly attributed to the job enables the interviewer to gain insights about the attitudes and perspectives of the candidate that are essential to becoming an effective employee.

Periodic career audit

How often will you evaluate career plan – Evaluating a career plan involves reviewing the strengths and weakness and compare that with the current achievements to determine gaps, which should be done annually.

What influences or affects career plans

Most of the time, unforeseen circumstances can have significant impact towards career plans encompassing sudden changes that are not part of the original plan. Factors affecting or influence career plan includes, peer pressure to take a different direction, availability of opportunities, financial decline, or inadequacies in skills and capabilities, life roles, and social and economic conditions. My professional goal involves acquiring a career in the healthcare sector, preferably within the management capabilities. Within this capacity that I aim to develop and enhance code of ethics, philosophy, and set of values that will foster excellence in the healthcare industry, to develop comprehensive training and education opportunities, and enhance leadership skills. I am aiming for a position in the management sector more specifically as a junior management assistant. For this position, I would be able to practice the skills that I currently possess, such as organizing and leading a team within the organization where leadership would be instrumental. On the other hand, technical skills still require further enhancing as modernity in healthcare operations management encompasses the use of more advanced technological tools, which I still yet to master. In order to achieve the described goals, it is best to engage more in the learning process within the work environment in order to equip myself with better skills. In addition, actively participating in skills, enhancing activities and training would greatly improve the gaps that I feel needs addressing. In order to address the perceived gaps both in the professional and personal competencies, getting a job in organizations such as hospitals and government health agencies will enable me to be an improvement because of the competitive environment in the said organizations. In terms of the benefits that my career plan can provide, it serves as a guiding compass towards achieving my career goals and future professional success. Furthermore, the outlined plan is essential in keeping me inspired to do better and achieve more.

IHF,. (2015). Leadership Competenciesfor Health Services Managers. Sydney: International Hospital Federation. Retrieved from https://www.ihf-fih.org/resources/pdf/Leadership_Competencies_for_Healthcare_Services_Managers.pdf Payscale,. Bachelor of Science (BS / BSc), Health Care Administration Degree Salary, Average Salaries | PayScale. Payscale.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_(BS_%2F_BSc),_Health_Care_Administration/Salary Punke, H. (2013). Developing a Culture-Based Workforce: Top Healthcare Workplaces Share Best Practices. Beckershospitalreview.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/developing-a-culture-based-workforce-top-healthcare-workplaces-share-best-practices.html Purnell, L. (1999). Health care managers' and administrators' roles, functions, and responsibilities. Nurs Adm Q, 23(3), 26-37. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10363017 Simonds, L. (2013). Interview Techniques for Effective Hiring | TIME.com. TIME.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://business.time.com/2013/10/09/interview-techniques-for-effective-hiring/

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Writing a Career Action Plan

Background information, employment history/education and training, self assessment results, short-term and long-term goals, barriers to reaching goals.

• You're on Your Way

Dawn Rosenberg McKay is a certified Career Development Facilitator.

Developing a career action plan is the fourth step in the career planning process. You should write one after doing a thorough self-assessment, a complete exploration of viable career options, and determining which one is the best match. Next comes the action plan.

A career action plan is like road map that will get you from point A—choosing an occupation—to Point B—becoming employed in that career. It even helps you get past Point B, to Points C through Z, as your  career advances . It is also referred to as an Individualized (or Individual) Career Plan or an Individualized (or Individual) Career Development Plan.

Create a worksheet you can use to outline your career action plan. It should contain the four sections below.

Title the first section of your worksheet "Employment History/Education and Training." This part is straightforward. List any jobs you've had in reverse chronological order, from most recent to least recent. Include the location of the company, your job title, and the dates you worked at that job.

When you eventually  write your resume , having organized this information will prove very helpful. That goes for the next part as well—Education and Training. List the schools you attended, the dates you attended them, and the credits, certificates, or degrees you earned. Also list additional training and any professional licenses you hold.

Next, list volunteer or other unpaid experience. You may find that several of these activities are relevant to your occupational goals. By volunteering, you may have developed skills that will play a vital role your future career. Again, you can use this information on your resume, on job interviews, or when you apply to college or graduate school.

The next section of your worksheet should be "Self Assessment Results." If you met with a career counselor or similarly trained professional who conducted a self-assessment to help you gather information about yourself, this is where you can write down the results you got from them, including the occupations that were suggested to you during that phase. You may even want to attach the information you gathered when you explored these careers so you can refer to your notes later on.

Out of all the occupations you explored, at some point in the process, you narrowed your choices down to one of them. That is the one you plan to pursue. You may even have two occupations—one to aim for in the short term and one to strive for in the long term. For example, you can say you want to become a nurse's aid first, and then after you get some experience, you plan to  become a registered nurse .

The next section should be a place for you to list your occupational and educational goals. They should correspond to one another since reaching your occupational goals will usually be dependent upon reaching your educational ones. You should have short-term goals—those you can reach in a year or less—and long-term goals that you can reach in five or fewer years. You can use increments of one or two years in this five-year plan as well. This breakdown will make your plan easier to follow.

If your long-term occupational goal is to  become a lawyer , here's what your short-term and long-term plans might look like:

• Year One: Complete my bachelor's degree (12 credits left to go), apply to law school, get accepted to law school
• Year Two through Year Four: Enter law school, study hard and earn good grades, graduate from law school with many job offers
• Year Five: Begin working in a law firm

As you try to reach your goals, you may face some barriers. You will have to find ways to get around them. In this section of your action plan, you can list anything that may get in the way of being able to reach your goals. Then list possible ways to overcome them.

For example, you may be the primary caregiver for your children or elderly parents, which may interfere with your ability to complete your degree. You can deal with this barrier by enlisting the help of your spouse or another relative. Perhaps you can arrange for child or adult day care.

You're on Your Way

A well-thought-out career action plan will prove to be a very useful tool. You've gone through the career planning process carefully, choosing a suitable occupation. Setting goals and planning what you need to do to realize them will ensure that you reach your career destination.

Career Action Plan

The ultimate goal after finishing a degree is getting a job that will utilize the specialized skills and knowledge you have learned through your years in the academe. Not only because the job will help you survive, but more importantly because you want to pursue what you are truly passionate about.

• 10+ Career Development Plan Examples – PDF, Word
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However, you must remember that as you immerse yourself in the corporate world, you will eventually find something that will lead you astray from the original path you have chosen. And that is acceptable; you can change your mind if you think changing your mind will do you more good than sticking to a job that does not interest you anymore. With uncertainty at bay, you need to constantly reevaluate what you are truly passionate about in order to be genuinely sure you gain satisfaction with what you are about to do.

Immediately after you graduate, it is always better to give yourself a chance to breathe. This is the best time for you to experience things beyond what has been taught in the classroom. This will also be the perfect time to get yourself involved with activities you have interest in. This way you can self-reflect what you actually want to do before joining the working force. Once you actually know yourself and your passion, only then will you be able to find the perfect career for you.

What Is a Career Action Plan?

A career action plan is a document that you can customize to fit your ideals. The document can be sued to establish the goals you wish to achieve in your career. It is basically a road map that will lead you from choosing an occupation to getting a job and strengthening your career. Simply put, the career action plan contains your ideal career and the necessary steps you need to take in order to reach it. The plan will serve as your guide as you journey into reaching your main career goal/s.

With that in mind, a career action plan can either be made as you begin your journey into your career or as you near your retirement. Either way, it will guide you as you make new career changes. The plan will let you make clear priorities for your career. In addition, the plan will also let you establish a vision of where you want to be on a certain point of your career/life. Your career action plan will allow you to assess your strengths and weaknesses so that you can build around them. It will make it easier for you to make a decision for your next step if have a strong basis.

Moreover, a career action plan will also allow you to reevaluate job promotion opportunities should it present itself. And since the plan is only for personal use, it can be personalized; meaning there is no right or wrong way to make it. Furthermore, it has enough flexibility to allow you to adjust your goals and timelines, as you see fit. With that, a career action plan is an effective document that will let you assess your current abilities that can help you pinpoint where you can proceed with your career and how should you get there.

Personal Career Action Plan Template Example

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Career Action Plan Worksheet Example

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Career Action Plan Format Example

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College Career Action Plan Example

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Contents of a Career Action Plan

Your career action plan is somewhat tasked to assess your ability to manage your career/s from beginning to end. Since the plan is intended to guide you to figure out what you should do with your career and how to effectively do it, it should contain all the information you will need as basis. With that, here are some of the contents that should be included in a career action plan:

• Current situation – This is where you describe your current situation in terms of qualifications, skills, abilities, personal attributes, strengths, and weaknesses. However, you only need to include those that are relevant to any career ideas, job sector, or perhaps an organization that you want to work for. This will allow you to have a clear picture of your current status as a professional and will serve as your basis when you make new decisions.
• Ideal situation – Your ideal situation is basically your career goals. What career would you rather have aside from your current one? Or what position would you want to achieve next? You should present a clear description or a specific title or position you wish to achieve.
• SWOT analysis – It is also important for your action plan to offer you an objective insight about yourself and your abilities. Therefore, it is very useful to include an assessment of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that have a direct relation to your career goals.
• Steps toward goals – It is also important to include a specific strategy regarding what you plan to do in order to reach your goals. This also means you need to include and set some targets with their specific deadlines.
• Resources – A list of resources that you can use to research your career opportunities and to plan your actions will be a great help for your career action plan. Your resources should consist of the prospects’ website, courses, training, your tutor, careers adviser, or anything/anyone else that you can engage with in order to enhance your career aspirations.
• Reflection – Your reflection should explain what you think and feel about your career plans. You can only do this by objectively evaluating your careers plans that you have made so far. You need to ask yourself if you deem yourself successful with how far you have gone in your career. If not, ask yourself what you need to change.

Basic Career Action Plan Template Example

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Editable Career Action Plan Example

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Comprehensive Career Action Plan Example

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Career Action Planning Process

Now that you know the significance of a career action plan, you should start thinking where you should begin your planning process. It is important to have a clear understanding on what you need to do in order to make an effective career action plan. Thus, here is an account of the career action planning process you can follow:

1. Consider where you currently are

Your planning processes should definitely start with examining your current situation. You should assess where you currently are in relation to your career goals. This will allow you to objectively examine where you should start your process of improving or advancing your career. This will also allow you to consider if work matches your aspirations, needs, and lifestyle. During this step you should take your time to decide whether you are satisfied with where you are currently at in your career or whether something needs to change.

2. Decide where you want to be

Although you already have a clear idea on the career that you want to pursue or you have clear understanding to your current career, it is always interesting and refreshing to explore other possibilities. This is most prevalent when you are really not happy with your current position. With these thoughts of checking or trying out other opportunities, you will be able to create a realistic vision for your future. The information or thoughts you have about the career that you want to do will be your starting point for your vision. It can help you decide on what you genuinely want to do for the rest of your life.

3. Plan on how to get there

This is the part where you decide what strategy or approach you will use in order to achieve your career goals. It is very helpful if you identify specific tasks that will let you achieve your goals, this way you can also stay focused and committed to your career goals. The broad goals you haves set will serve as an overview of what you intend to do, but breaking them down to realistic and practical step-by-step tasks will help you reach your end goal. With that in mind, setting SMART goals will help you stay on the right track.

SMART goals are basically clear objectives written in a simple and concise manner. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed (SMART) goals that you want to achieve throughout your plan. It basically lets you highlight what you need to do and specifying a clear outcome withing a time frame. In order to set SMART goals you need to:

• Specific  – Identify a clear goal/s that you want to achieve.
• Measurable  – How will you determine when you’ve done it?
• Achievable  – Is it possible to achieve within your specific time frame? Are you motivated to complete it?
• Relevant  – Is the goal/task relevant to your specific career goal?
• Timed  – When will you complete your goal? Present a timeline.

4. Take the necessary action

This part is when you should start to implement your plan. However, although you have a clear picture of what you should do and a plan on how to do it, it can still be challenging to complete. You can even get sidetracked although you have a clear outline and time frame. But you should not be easily discouraged, there are some things you can do to help you stay on track.

• Examine your commitment to completing your goal/s . Reflect on your goal and decide if you are actually committed to achieving them. If you see that you are quite not committed to it, see to it what you can change in order to be committed to it. Make sure to adapt those changes to your plan.
• Make sure your goals are clear and feasible . The goals you set should always be realistic. It will be a waste of time to set goals that you know are almost close to impossible to achieve. Your goals should be clearly defined in order for you to achieve them. And although it is okay to set challenging goals, make sure they are well within what you’re capable of.
• Make lists or use reminders . Making to-do lists will allow you to have a clear sense of progress every time you tick off items off your list. You can also use reminders to help you kick-start your momentum.
• Enlist the support that you will need . Although this is a personal goal, you can still enlist for help form other people especially during the planning process. This will allow you to gather useful insights and information that can help you achieve your goals.
• Brainstorming can lead you to success.  When you are faced with a road block, brainstorming can help you find ways to continue on with your goals. This will give you enough ideas on how you can proceed as planned. Although this may bring change to your original plan, it can still help you achieve the goals you have already set.
• Reward yourself.  Once you see the progress you have had so far, you need to reward yourself for getting as far as you have. Positive reinforcement will inspire you to stay determined.   

5. Review your progress

You have come a long way in order to reach your goals, although you may be preoccupied with the tasks that you still need to complete, do not forget to review and realign your focus. Reviewing your progress will also allow you to reflect back to why you started the journey, reminding you to continue on.

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We hope that this article has helped you learn important information about a career action plan and the corresponding career action plan process.

Text prompt

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Create a study plan for final exams in high school

Develop a project timeline for a middle school science fair.

What Is a Career Goals Essay?

An opportunity to expand, what to avoid in a career goals essay, final thoughts, how to write a career goals essay.

Updated January 15, 2024

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As the name suggests, a career goals essay is a personal document that outlines your professional plans.

It describes your educational and work history, and your ambitions for the future.

A career goals essay is generally used in three situations:

• When applying to a school or college
• When applying for a scholarship to fund education
• When applying for a new job

It allows the reader to better understand your personality and fully appreciate why you are making the application.

Career goals essays help admissions staff and hiring managers to select the ideal candidates for a position.

What Should a Career Goals Essay Contain?

A little backstory.

This essay is an opportunity for you to allow your personality and experiences to shine, so avoid generic statements.

The document should be personal and concisely describe your life experiences.

You should explain why you have chosen this career path.

If there was a pivotal moment in your life that led you to this application, be sure to highlight it.

Outline Your Goals

The main focus of the essay should be your goals for the future.

Readers want to see that you are ambitious and driven, with a genuine passion for the role or course you are applying for.

These career goals should be split into your short-term goals (looking over the next one to three years) and your long-term goals (which might look as far as 10 years into the future).

Show How This Application Will Help You Reach Your Goals

Critically, your career goals essay must show how this degree or job will help you achieve your goals .

If your long-term goal is to become a veterinary surgeon, studying a veterinary medicine program will obviously be essential.

However, your goal may be more nuanced than that. For example, you might want to become an expert in a particular piece of technology or software. Your application must show how your success in this role will enable you to become an industry leader.

This will also emphasize to the reader that you have done your research and understand the skills required for that particular sector.

You will have likely submitted a CV and covering letter at other points throughout the application process.

Remember, your career goals essay should complement these documents rather than repeat them.

This letter allows you to expand on the points mentioned in the earlier documents, aligning your previous experience with your goals for the future.

If you are writing a career goals essay as part of an application for a new job, be sure to refer back to the job description and person specification.

These documents highlight the exact type of individual the employer is searching for, so be sure your career goals essay matches the content in them.

Most career goals essays will be submitted via email, so an appropriate title is essential.

‘The Career Goals of [Name]’ isn’t a title that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Don’t forget, whether you are applying to a school or an employer, the reader will have the job of sifting through hundreds, if not thousands, of applications .

Where candidates have very similar experiences and education, their creativity and personality will be used to make the final decision.

Example titles:

How a Digital Marketing Degree Will Allow Me to Support Sustainable Businesses

How My Next Role in Nursing Will Help Me Help Others

An Introduction

Your introduction should set the theme for the essay, and crucially, outline your why .

Many candidates find the introduction the most challenging part of the essay to write. Therefore, it often makes the most sense to write it last.

Your introduction should be an honest and personable account of why you have chosen this field of study.

Starting with a generic opening paragraph will not inspire or motivate your reader. Stay away from phrases such as “I have wanted to be a lawyer ever since I was a little girl.”

This sentence tells the reader very little about your current aspirations.

It can also damage your integrity, as we all know most small children dream of being a movie star or astronaut before the job of lawyer ever springs to mind.

Example introduction:

Most individuals in the US are lucky enough to never need the law to protect them. However, many fail to see how the intricate details of the constitution support their life every day. I have a particular fascination with criminal law after being introduced to the field by a family friend. The monumental impact a lawyer can have on the life and welfare of an individual truly astounded me, and I have spent the years since investigating the effects of the American legal system. This is why I have tailored my education so far to prepare me for a legal career. I work every day on developing my research and analytical ability, and now feel ready to dedicate myself fully to the legal field.

School-Specific Content

Admissions staff, tutors and hiring managers want to know that their applicants have done their research.

You can show them that you have done yours by adding a small paragraph straight after your introduction showing why you chose this school to study at or this company to work for.

First example of school-specific content:

[Insert company name] has an incredible global reputation, with clients in every continent. I can see that staff retention rates are incredibly high, indicating strong career opportunities and the prospect of continuous development. The company values show that diversity and integrity are of the utmost importance, and I would love the opportunity to work for an organization whose principles align with my own.

Second example of school-specific content:

[Insert school name] is well known for producing the highest caliber of graduates, with an excellent global reputation. The school leaderboards show that the grades from [insert school name] ranked within the top five in the country for the past 10 years. I would be proud to associate myself with an establishment that holds itself in such high regard and am thrilled at the prospect of learning alongside the best.

Your Long-term Vision

Remember, it is crucial you show why and how you are actively working towards these goals. For example, merely stating, 'My long-term goal is to become a lawyer with my own practice’ is worthless.

The reader wants to see how this goal aligns with your personality and why you have chosen this route.

The goals set out in this essay should be precise and meaningful .

Example of long-term vision:

Law is an area of study that affects us all. The law protects us, and I am fascinated by its impact on both an individual and global scale. Of course, I want to graduate with a top-class degree, but I am also passionate about the connections and network I will build along the way. My goal is to open my own practice one day, specializing in family law. At the moment, I volunteer in my local practice, gaining experience and building a network that will help me later in my career. I believe the combination of world-class education and hands-on legal experience will help me to achieve this ambitious long-term goal.

Your Short-term Vision

Next, it is crucial to discuss your short-term goals .

If you're applying to school, your short-term goals will explain what you aim to achieve throughout the degree or program.

For a job application, these goals will outline your targets for your first year in the role.

Example of short-term vision:

In the short term, my goal is to build a network in the legal sector. I have already begun doing this through my weekly volunteering role. However, this degree will undoubtedly allow me to meet a much broader spectrum of people. I am excited to curate this network with a range of legal specialists, from students at the start of their careers to tutors with many years of experience in the industry.

The Conclusion

As with any essay, your conclusion should summarize what you have discussed throughout.

You should not throw in any new ideas, subjects or theories at this point. Otherwise, it indicates to the reader that you have not cohesively written the essay.

Your conclusion should be about the same length as the introduction, mentioning your final goals and the name of the establishment you are applying to.

You must outline again why you want to work for this company or study at this school. Using a statistic or fact will show that you have conducted thorough research.

Example conclusion:

I am immensely excited to begin my experience with [insert school name]. Ultimately, this education will allow me to fulfill my dreams of becoming a lawyer and one day opening my own practice. I will bring hard work, determination and enthusiasm to the law school, never forgetting why I began this journey.

Vague or Weak Statements

Every sentence in your essay should be specific to you.

For example, statements such as ‘I want to study medicine because it will allow me to get a good job’ does not show the reader that you are passionate or enthusiastic about this position.

Discussing Financial Remuneration

Whether the essay is aimed at a prospective employer or a college admissions office, they want to see why you want the position personally.

Someone solely focused on the financial rewards will likely not have longevity in the career.

Controversial Topics

Of course, there will be times where politics and current affairs are relevant to the discussion.

However, showing a one-sided argument that doesn’t align with the readers can alienate your application before you even begin.

A career goals essay is an opportunity for your personality to shine through. It isn’t a test of who has the best grades or the most experience , but a chance to show how this job or degree can change your life.

Although the reader is excited to hear about your goals, they are more interested in how this role links to your ambitions.

Be sure to constantly reflect upon how obtaining a place on this course, or securing the job role, is intrinsically linked to your goals.

A word limit is often applied to career goal essays. Where there is no limit, be sure to write no more than 1,000 words.

This piece should be concise and to the point, showing the reader you can effectively convey your thoughts and ideas.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Jobs & Careers / Career Planning sections.

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How to make a career plan [+templates]

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Sometimes when we see people with successful careers, we think their career was a result of luck or connections. While that may be true in some cases, often, successful careers are the result of planning. Talk to many executives, and they’ll detail how their career growth took place over a long path that included education, mentorship, challenges, and having an end goal in mind.

While you may have an idea of where you’d like to be, it’s difficult to take action on a general idea. By solidifying what you want exactly, you can take steps in the right direction, and those clear steps can help you feel empowered and motivated. 

What is a career plan?

A career plan is a structured and strategic roadmap that you can use to set and achieve your career goals. This plan outlines the steps, actions, and milestones needed to progress in your career over time. A well-thought-out career plan can help you make informed decisions about your professional development and enable you to work toward your desired career outcomes.

A typical career plan usually includes:

• Goal setting : Clearly define short-term and long-term career goals. These goals may include specific job roles, levels of responsibility, income targets, or personal development objectives.
• Self-assessment : Assess your skills, strengths, weaknesses, interests, values, and personality traits. Understanding yourself is essential for aligning your career choices with your personal preferences and capabilities.
• Research and exploration : Investigate different industries, job sectors, companies, and roles that align with your goals and interests. Gather information about the qualifications, experience, and skills required in your chosen field.
• Skill development : Identify the skills and knowledge you need to acquire or improve to advance in your career. Plan how you will acquire these skills through education, training, or on-the-job experience.
• Networking : Develop a professional network by connecting with colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals. Networking can provide valuable insights, opportunities, and support throughout your career.
• Résumé and personal branding : Create or update your résumé and online profiles to reflect your skills, achievements, and career objectives. Consistency in your personal brand can help you stand out to potential employers.
• Job search and application : If you are actively job hunting, your career plan should include strategies for finding and applying for positions that align with your goals. This might involve using job boards, attending job fairs, or leveraging your network.
• Performance evaluation : Periodically assess your progress toward your career goals. Are you meeting your milestones? Do you need to adjust your plan based on changing circumstances or priorities?
• Adaptability : Be prepared to adapt your career plan as circumstances change, new opportunities arise, or your interests evolve. Flexibility is crucial in navigating a dynamic job market.
• Long-term vision : Consider your ultimate career aspirations. Do you want to be a leader or make a difference in an industry? Maybe you want to start a business. Your long-term vision can guide your decisions and actions over the years.

Let’s be clear: a career plan is far more than just a piece of paper. It can sometimes be the difference between stagnating in a current role (and missing out on promotions, fulfillment, and earlier retirement) or achieving a fulfilling, higher-paying job. 

Career plan examples

With Lucid, you never need to start from scratch. We have a variety of career growth templates to get you started.

Career growth plan

Insert career growth plan template with caption: Career growth plan example (click to use template).

Career path

You may not want to become a project manager, but this career path template is an excellent example of a career path. What’s unique about this template is that it can help guide your research as you determine the steps from your current job to where you’d like to be. The research alone is helpful, but knowing what next steps lie ahead can also be motivating and inspiring. 

Insert career path template with caption: Career path example (click to use template).

Career progression chart

This granular career progression chart template shows the interconnectedness of many job roles, which is helpful for a career progression that can go in multiple directions. It also includes example salary ranges of job grades.

Insert career progression chart with the caption: Career progression chart example (click to use template).

How to make a career plan

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a comprehensive career plan:

Self-assessment

• Begin by assessing yourself. Reflect on your interests, values, strengths, weaknesses, and long-term aspirations.
• Identify your short-term and long-term career goals. What specific achievements or positions do you want to reach?

Research and exploration

• Research different career fields, industries, and job roles. Explore job market trends and potential career paths.
• Consider the qualifications, skills, and experience required for your desired roles.

Set SMART goals

• Make your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, instead of a vague goal like "get a better job," aim for something like "secure a project management role with a 20% salary increase within two years."

Identify skills and knowledge gaps

• Determine the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your goals. Be honest about your current skillset and identify any gaps.
• Create a list of the skills you need to develop or improve to reach your objectives.

Plan skill development

• Develop a plan to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. This may involve taking courses, attending workshops, seeking mentorship, or gaining on-the-job experience.
• Set milestones and deadlines for skill development.

Build a professional network

• Start or expand your professional network.
• Attend networking events, conferences, and workshops relevant to your field.

Update your résumé and online profiles

• Keep your résumé and LinkedIn profile up-to-date. Highlight your skills, achievements, and career objectives.
• Ensure consistency in your personal brand across all professional platforms.

Job search and application strategy

• If you're actively job hunting, create a strategy for finding and applying for positions that align with your goals.
• Tailor your application materials (résumé, cover letter) for each job application.

Performance evaluation

• Regularly assess your progress toward your career goals. Are you meeting your milestones?
• Adjust your plan as needed based on your performance and changing circumstances.

Adaptability and flexibility

• Be open to adjusting your career plan as opportunities and challenges arise.
• Adapt to changes in your interests, the job market, or personal circumstances.

Long-term vision

• Consider your ultimate career aspirations. Where do you see yourself in 10, 20, or 30 years?
• Your long-term vision can guide your choices and priorities over time.

Seek feedback and guidance

• Don't hesitate to seek feedback from mentors, career counselors, or trusted colleagues. They can offer valuable insights and advice.

Document your plan

• Write down your career plan in a document or digital format. This document should serve as a roadmap for your career journey.

Regularly review and revise

• Periodically review and revise your career plan, especially as you achieve goals, encounter new opportunities, or face unexpected challenges.

Remember that a career plan is a dynamic document, so it should evolve as your career evolves. Regularly revisit and adjust your plan to stay on track and align with your changing aspirations and circumstances.

Start planning your career with Lucidchart

If you’re convinced a career plan is the way to go to make your career dreams come true, we’re here to help!

Get started with this career growth plan template in Lucidchart.  

Lucidchart, a cloud-based intelligent diagramming application, is a core component of Lucid Software's Visual Collaboration Suite. This intuitive, cloud-based solution empowers teams to collaborate in real-time to build flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, customer journey maps, and more. Lucidchart propels teams forward to build the future faster. Lucid is proud to serve top businesses around the world, including customers such as Google, GE, and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid partners with industry leaders, including Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft. Since its founding, Lucid has received numerous awards for its products, business, and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucidchart.com.

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Career action plans

​A career action plan is a dynamic planning document owned and managed by young people intended to reflect their increased career development learning.

The plan helps young people:

• set their goals
• clarify the actions needed to achieve these goals
• commit to participating in the planned activities.

Young people should assume ownership of their career action plan. Parents and staff can work with them to help them complete the plan. The young person must be actively involved in the process.

Parents, family members, community members, carers, guardians or other trusted adults are encouraged to comment on their young person’s plan.

Using the career action plan

The career action plan is most effective when used in conjunction with the learning outcomes in the Victorian Careers Curriculum Framework.

Young people should complete a career action plan every year from years 7 to 12 when enrolled in a school or while enrolled with a VET provider or in the Learn Local adult community education sector. The plan should be continually revised to reflect career development activities taken throughout the year. Maintaining a plan is an ongoing process, not a one-off activity.

Customise the career action plan templates below to meet the needs of your young people. For example, education and training providers may choose to change images and words depending on individual needs.

The year level associated with a career action plan may be used as a guide for young people with disabilities in special school settings. For example, the year 7 career action plan aligns with young people aged approximately 13 years.

​Years 7 t​​o 10

The plan contains a range of components that develop progressively across years 7 to 10. The components reflect the three stages of career development. The components include:

• My profile : Self-development information to assist young people to understand themselves and the influences on them through identification of interests, values and skills.
• My progress : Self-development information to assist young people to reflect on their experiences and achievements over the past year.
• My goals and plans : Self-development information to assist young people to develop their capabilities, and career exploration information to encourage location, investigation and consideration of opportunities in learning and future work options.
• My review : Career management information to assist young people to adjust their career action plans and manage their life choices, changes and transitions.

Years 11, 12 VET and Learn Local students​​​

The career action plans for young people in years 11 and 12, and at VET or Learn Locals:

• concentrate on career management information through additional components
• address career choices and the attributes and skills required to achieve them.

The additional components include:

• My future : Career exploration information to assist young people to consider attributes, skills, education/training requirements, courses and labour market information relating to their career choices
• My plan : Career management information to assist young people to reflect on past goals before setting new goals that align with their career choices.

The s​​ix steps

Another component of the career action plan involves the six steps in a young person’s acquisition of skills and knowledge for lifelong career self-management. Although young people complete all six steps each year, the career action plans focus on a different step each year. The six steps are:

• I Discover : young people discover their strengths and talents
• I Explore : young people explore the world of work and their place in it
• I Focus : young people focus on their values and interests
• I Plan : young people use decision-making skills to plan their learning and career programs
• I Decide : young people decide on their best options and opportunities
• I Apply : young people apply their skills and knowledge to their learning and career planning.

Alignment with other plans

The career action plan should complement, not replace, other existing planning documents associated with the young person.

Other plans could be the:

• Koorie education learning plan
• Student aspirational learning plan
• Individual learning plan developed for young people receiving support through the Program for Students with Disabilities.

To ensure consistency between planning documents, it is recommended educators work with members of the Koorie education workforce and Student Support Group.

• Year 7 career action plan (Word - 227Kb) (doc - 231.5kb)
• Year 7 career action plan - Koorie (Word - 506Kb) (doc - 511kb)
• Year 7 career action plan - EAL (Word - 58Kb) (doc - 245.5kb)
• Year 7 career action plan - low SES (Word - 53Kb) (doc - 72.5kb)
• Year 7 career action plan - young people with disabilities (Word - 62Kb) (doc - 247kb)
• Year 8 career action plan (Word - 244Kb) (doc - 243.5kb)
• Year 8 career action plan - Koorie (Word - 474Kb) (doc - 474kb)
• Year 8 career action plan - EAL (Word - 87Kb) (doc - 282kb)
• Year 8 career action plan - low SES (Word - 62Kb) (doc - 81.5kb)
• Year 8 career action plan - young people with disabilities (Word - 62Kb) (doc - 280.5kb)
• Year 9 career action plan (Word - 176Kb) (doc - 175.5kb)
• Year 9 career action plan - Koorie (Word - 572Kb) (doc - 576.5kb)
• Year 9 career action plan - EAL (Word - 93Kb) (doc - 204kb)
• Year 9 career action plan - low SES (Word - 95Kb) (doc - 113.5kb)
• Year 9 career action plan - young people with disabilities (Word - 79Kb) (doc - 215.5kb)
• Year 10 Career Action Plan (Word - 155Kb) (doc - 158kb)
• Year 10 Career Action Plan - Koorie (Word - 490Kb) (doc - 492.5kb)
• Year 10 Career Action Plan - EAL (Word - 87Kb) (doc - 187kb)
• Year 10 Career Action Plan - low SES (Word - 74Kb) (doc - 93kb)
• Year 10 Career Action Plan - young people with disabilities (Word - 64Kb) (doc - 201.5kb)
• Year 11 career action plan (Word - 168Kb) (doc - 172kb)
• Year 11 career action plan - Koorie (Word - 524Kb) (doc - 530kb)
• Year 11 career action plan - EAL (Word - 81Kb) (doc - 235kb)
• Year 11 career action plan - low SES (Word - 71Kb) (doc - 89.5kb)
• Year 11 career action plan - young people with disabilities (Word - 60Kb) (doc - 246kb)
• Year 12 career action plan (Word - 137Kb) (doc - 141.5kb)
• Year 12 career action plan - Koorie (Word - 552Kb) (doc - 556kb)
• Year 12 career action plan - EAL (Word - 76Kb) (doc - 189kb)
• Year 12 career action plan - low SES (Word - 71Kb) (doc - 89.5kb)
• Year 12 career action plan - young people with disabilities (Word - 64Kb) (doc - 207kb)

Learn Local and VET

• Learn Local and VET career action plan (Word - 144Kb) (doc - 147kb)
• Learn Local and VET career action plan - Koorie (Word - 531Kb) (doc - 533.5kb)
• Learn Local and VET career action plan - EAL (Word - 84Kb) (doc - 176kb)
• Learn Local and VET career action plan - low SES (Word - 71Kb) (doc - 90kb)
• Learn Local and VET career action plan - y​oung people with disabilities (Word - 57Kb) (doc - 200.5kb)

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Career Goals — Overview of My Career Plan

Overview of My Career Plan

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Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 1490 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

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Career Plan: Business Management Essay

Introduction.

In career planning there are four steps or processes that are followed. These include self-assessment where one has to evaluate themselves to find out what they want with their lives. This includes their interests, values, skills and developmental needs. Secondly one has to assess available options to ensure that they will get opportunities to practice their skills after completing their training. The third process is matching where one may identifies possible occupations and compare various alternatives. This can be done by comparing their short and long term options. Finally, one has to take action whereby they have to put into use the other three steps to make sure that achieve their set goals.

My career vision is to provide efficient leadership to business people on how to manage their businesses. This means that I will make sure that I apply my knowledge and skills in advising people on how to succeed in their business. My career mission is to be the best business manager in my organization.

A strong business manager should develop ethical values in order to earn credibility from their customers. This means that one has to be trustworthy and reasonable enough in order to advise people adequately. In fact, one should develop listening skills in order to allow clients adequate time to present their cases. This will guide them in making a decisive conclusion hence helping them run their businesses best.

In order for one to achieve their goals they need to identify their competition. This is extremely significant because people plan on handling competition in order to achieve their goals. In fact, one should be able to carry out research on business operating environment in order to come up with strategies of achieving their goals.

One has to balance their internal characteristics and external requirements in order to succeed. This is tremendously beneficial because one has to be tolerance to their competitors by practicing fair competition. This helps organization to run their operations without facing conflicts from other players in the business environment. In addition, one has to listen from customers in order to come up with what they want from the business firm. This means that a talented business manager should be able to prioritize issues brought about by customers and competitors, as well.

Competition and cooperation plays key roles in career development. For instance, competition helps business managers to come up with best ideas to counter threats brought about by competitors. This helps them to strengthen their skills hence developing their careers. Cooperation also plays a key role in career development. This is evident because it calls for people with understanding and strong will to come together to do work.

In a business management career, stakeholders may be owners of the organization. This means that a business manager should be able to relate well with owners of the organization in order to succeed in their career. In addition, customers may be stakeholders who are hugely powerful in this career. This means that their issues need to be taken carefully since they dictate the success of one’s career.

Depending on the current progress, I feel that I am a future strategic leader. This is because I have been involved in planning for future in various organizations throughout my training. In fact, I have led various students’ organizations and together with members we succeeded in achieving our set goals.

In any career, the concept of sustainability should not be ignored. This means that one has to practice all elements of sustainability which include conserving the environment. This makes sure that the organization works towards ensuring that they conserve what they have and protect the environment. A business manager should align all their business operations with environmental conservation principles.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). Career Plan: Business Management. https://ivypanda.com/essays/career-plan-business-management/

"Career Plan: Business Management." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/career-plan-business-management/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Career Plan: Business Management'. 31 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Career Plan: Business Management." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/career-plan-business-management/.

1. IvyPanda . "Career Plan: Business Management." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/career-plan-business-management/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Career Plan: Business Management." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/career-plan-business-management/.

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