No matter which year of high school you’re currently in, it’s always best to start developing a career plan as early as possible. The right career plan can open so many doors for you and give you the opportunities you deserve!
According to statistics, 75% of high schoolers already have a career in mind, and 74% of students feel that it’s important to chalk out a plan before they graduate.
So, if you also want to start creating your career development plan, then here are some tips on how to get started!
1. Identify Your Interests And Skills
The first step is to identify your interests and strengths and determine whether they can be combined into a single career plan.
Very often, high school students choose a career simply based on the fields they’re interested in without seeing if that field will be viable for them in the long run.
Ask yourself questions like,
- “What do I enjoy doing the most?”
- “Which school subjects or extracurricular activities am I the most passionate about?”
- “What are my major career goals?”
Try to answer them as honestly as possible and take a bit of time to brainstorm the answers. If you’re not sure of what to expect, you can always take an online personality test.
2. Figure Out Your Destination
Now that you know which fields interest you, you have to figure out the goal you wish to achieve. For this, too, you’ll have to take out some time and brainstorm.
Figuring out the result of your career isn’t easy, especially since you haven’t had any work experience yet. But based on other people’s experiences and your knowledge, write down the results that you feel will resonate with you the most.
If you see that obstacles are holding you back, try to bypass them. For example, if you want to attend special courses that demand a lot of time and patience, you might not be able to pay attention to your studies. In that case, get in touch with the best online high school and find a reliable mentor for guidance according to your schedule.
3. Set SMART Goals
Writing down goals on a piece of paper won’t be enough. You have to measure the goals using metrics that can be understood and well-defined SMART goals (standing for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
For example, if you wish to be a writer in the future, try to think of what kind of writer you’re planning to be and the genre of books you wish to write.
One tip that high school teachers and mentors give is to break down the larger goals into smaller parts to make them more measurable and achievable.
The skills you want to achieve should also be relevant to today’s career and industry standards, along with set timelines on how you’ll work on that hobby.
4. Have A Mentor Guide You
Often, students are completely blank about their career development plan. They might know their goals, but the path to approach the goals is hazy. They may not be familiar with their strengths and which areas need improvement.
If you’re the same, it’s high time you seek a mentor from online private schools and let them evaluate your skills and guide you.
World-class champion teachers will be able to judge your skills and strengths, try to understand where your skills and interests lie, and then show you a list of potential career choices that are best for you.
They can also suggest different education pathways and scholarship programs, which saves you a lot of time and money. You’ll also sharpen your critical thinking and networking skills through your mentor.
5. Consider Personal Circumstances
Many high school students also need to focus on personal circumstances that might affect their career plans.
Factors like finances, ailing family members, language barriers, or self-disability can be big reasons for students to shift from unconventional career choices like becoming a painter to more traditional ones like medicine, engineering, or a corporate job.
If you also have personal obligations, try to figure out how you can pursue the career of your choice without compromising on your mental peace.
Even though none of these parameters should limit you while choosing a career, you should still think about any potential personal problems that may creep up later.
Conclusion
Once you’ve made the career development plan, your work doesn’t stop there. You need to keep re-evaluating and holding yourself accountable. With enough time, patience, and guidance, you’ll soon be able to draw the career plan of your dreams!
