Career Planning and Salary

Why develop a career plan?

Will I really be able to find a new career? What do I need to get started? How will I stay motivated? As you begin developing a plan for your career, the entire process can begin to feel a little overwhelming. While there's no shortcut to finding a new career, creating a career plan can make the process much more manageable. By developing a career plan, you'll be able to set clear goals for yourself and follow your progress as you work toward a career objective.

Below are some questions to ask yourself as you begin thinking about your career plan:

• How can I find a new career in my field?
• Do I want to switch career paths?
• What position do I want to hold in five years?
  
  

Review the interactive below to learn what you should consider as you develop your career plan.

Developing a career objective

Creating an overall career objective is the first step in creating a career plan. A strong objective will allow you to focus on what you really want to achieve in your career. While objectives will vary based on your individual needs and desires, below are a few different examples of career objectives:

• Get a job paying at least $40,000 per year as soon as possible
• Move into an upper-management position in my field in at least two years
• Transition into a new career in the field of health administration
• Gain experience and connections in my career field before I graduate
  
  

Reaching your objective

It's important to remember that there is no single path to reaching your career objective. The process might simply take longer or be more complicated than you originally planned. You may even realize that your career objective is simply too difficult to reach in its current form. Whatever your situation, remain flexible and don't be afraid to adjust your plan or even create an entirely new career objective.

As you begin pursuing your career, take some time to assess your progress and adapt your objective to meet your specific needs. If you aren't satisfied with your progress, be willing to try new approaches rather than give in to frustration. A little persistence can make a significant difference as you work toward your career objective.