Planning Your Future

Planning Your Future - Know Yourself

Career exploration is a lifelong process for most people, and that journey can begin in many ways -- through both reflection and action.

If you're seeking greater career clarity or hoping to choose a major or a professional path, start with what you already know about yourself. This is called career self-assessment.

How Do I Start?

	Begin your exploration by envisioning your ideal life; this vision will serve as an interesting foundation to build upon. Vision Activity/Ideal Life (PDF)
	Then, continue with the exercises from the remaining groups to build upon your vision. Areas of Interest Skills & Abilities Personal Values Personality & Preferences Putting it all Together

In addition to the activities above, consider exploring California Career Zone: An interactive, user-friendly career exploration and planning system designed specifically for students. Includes four self-assessment tools, career informaiton for over 900 occupations, and 300+ short career videos.

Curious or unsure about career self-assessment? Read on...

Career self assessment is an essential aspect of career planning and development. It's important to recognize key characteristics about yourself so you can make informed career choices that are well suited for you. Just as when you're shopping for a car you gather as much information as possible to help inform your decision, when you are considering a career you should do the same.

We can get an image of what we look like physically through photographs and mirrors, but we need other ways to capture important information to create a more complete image about ourselves; how we act, what motivates us, and what inspires us. One way to uncover such personal characteristics is to use self-assessment tools and activities. Assessment tools are designed to help you identify your values, interests, skills, and personality type ("VIPS") and how they can be best matched with school or career pursuits.

Once you have a clear understanding of your VIPS you will feel better equipped to choose a major, career field, or advanced degree program.

If you'd like to meet with a counselor at any point to discuss your process, please schedule an appointment.