4 Step Video Introduction

4-Step Career Development Process
What's Involved?


STEP 1
INSIDE
(Self-Assessment)

The process of identifying characteristics that represent your inside is commonly referred to as a self-assessment . It is considered the starting point of our 4-Step Career Development Process. The main goal of Step 1 is to determine who you are and what's most important in your life.Once you have accurately completed Step 1, the summary of the self-assessment it represents should help you to make or confirm an appropriate career or college major choice.


STEP 2
OUTSIDE
(Career Exploration)

Step 2 is often referred to as Career Exploration. The main goal of Step 2 has been summarized below.

* To explore the World-Of-Work, suitable occupational fields,
requirements and other factors you need to consider before a career or
college major selection is made.

*To become aware of significant influencing areas outside of you that
influence most major decisions (e.g., family; beliefs/faith; education; occupation;
politics and leisure-time).



STEP 3
CLOSER LOOK
(Decision Making)

Step 3 is sometimes called Decision Making. It is at this point you take what
you have discovered in the first two steps, and conduct more detailed research.

The main goal is to narrow down possible options and, after considering significant influencing factors, eventually select the career or college major you believe to be the best fit for you.



STEP 4
 MATCHING UP
(Taking Action)

Step 4 activities involves matching up Step 1 self-assessment characteristics with significant influencing areas in Step 2. Step 4 can be called Taking Action. The main goal is to actually do what you decided to pursue as a career or major.

As you can see, going through this 4-Step Career Development Process will take time. Taking action on the results can have a widespread and life changing impact. Therefore; it is strongly recommended, before you take action, that you confirm your career or college major choice with a qualified counselor.


After reading the information in each of the steps shown below, click on the underlined title in the step you desire to begin with.

4-Step Career Development Process

Step 1

INSIDE
Self-Assessment

Who am I?    Who do I want to become?

  1. Physical & Personal Attributes
  2. Temperaments
  3. Abilities & Aptitudes
  4. Strengths & Weaknesses
  5. Attitudes

What's Important to Me?

    1.     A Life Mission
    2.     Life & Work Values
    3.     Interests


 (LIFE DIRECTION is established/confirmed)

Step 2

OUTSIDE
Career Exploration

Consider & explore supportive and nonsupportive components of the following:


* Family, friends, etc.

* Faith/Beliefs

* Occupation(s)

* Education and/or training

* Laws, rules, & policies



(LIFE DIRECTION is connected)

Step 4

MATCHING UP
Taking Action

Take action on decisions made in steps 1-3


Usually includes:
*Job Hunting       *Cover Letters
*Resumes       *Interviewing


May include applying for:
*Job(s)      *Financial Aid
*College or Vocational/Technical School
*Military      *Peace Corp    *Etc.



(LIFE DIRECTION is practically applied)

Step 3

 CLOSER LOOK
Decision Making

Detailed inspection of step 1 and step 2.
Narrow down to "best fit"

Usually includes:  
    *Decision Making       *Goal Setting     *Career Plan


May include:
* Research 
*Informational Interviewing   
*Job Shadowing   *Externships/Internships  
*Volunteer Work    *Part-Time Work

(LIFE DIRECTION becomes realistic)


It may be sufficient for you to complete one, two or maybe all of the follow-up options
presented on one or more of the four steps. . . .


Regardless of what option(s) you select, upon completion, you will want to combine whatever
you learn with the information you may already have. After careful consideration of
Significant Influencing Factors, you should be in a better position to make a suitable
career or college major decision.

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Updated on 16-JUL-09
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