While a career is generally defined as an individual’s progress within a particular occupation, at the same time, it may be regarded as more than just his job. A career is associated with general development and growth through life, and the efficiency of this process directly depends on thorough and comprehensive planning. Since childhood, people frequently have desires in relation to their future career, however, there are multiple other factors that should determine their choice to minimize the possibility of negative experience and mistakes.
In general, exercising career planning presupposes several essential aspects – first of all, it refers to the setting of work-related achievable goals. Long-term goals are based on a person’s preferable and expected view of himself in his career path after five, ten, or fifteen years. At the same time, the achievement of long-term goals is impossible without short-term ones, as the achievement of every stage of the career path depends on actionable and clear steps. In this case, career planning helps an individual outline his goals and correct them on the basis of reevaluation, if necessary, as he progresses.
At the same time, career planning implies the discovery of an individual’s professional, educational, and training opportunities that suit his goals and interests. Moreover, this process presupposes the evaluation of life priorities, unique attributes, and career fields on the basis of understanding and knowledge. In the present day, the success of career decisions is based on the accuracy of the information, which is easily accessible and abundant. In other words, planning his career, a person should assess his interests and individual characteristics and match them with obtained knowledge, skills, and experience, and data related to specific career fields to determine occupation and additional requirements for getting the desired job.
While a career differs from a job, its planning is a sequential and ongoing process that may start every time when a person’s changed goals, interests, and desires lead to a new career path. On the one hand, it requires continuous evaluation of personal preferences and information related to a preferable career field to evaluate the opportunities for employment and the availability of necessary knowledge and skills for their improvement. On the other hand, ignorance of planning may lead to highly negative consequences for career opportunities. First of all, the career planning process presupposes the reflection on and the evaluation of personal values along with the establishment of clear goals based on a preferable occupation. Without these activities, the rationale of a career’s choice may be vague, and negative experience along with mistakes may occur.
In general, exercising career planning may be an individual process in which other individuals are not involved. However, trustful individuals, including relatives and friends, may help with self-reflection. In addition, educators and employers may assist in career planning as well to define its steps, ensure commitment, and clarify the general path. In turn, successful career planning is associated with multiple advantages along with a clear understanding of the most suitable and preferable career and requirements for its obtainment. It allows to receive a clear vision of life and learn an algorithm for goal achievement. In addition, the formation of goals for the career path disciplines and improves motivation for continuous improvement in other spheres of life. It goes without saying that luck plays an important role as well, however, it favors the prepared ones.