How to Create a Career Development Plan?

Figuring out which career is right for you can be challenging, especially if you chose your career path right out of high school and into college. Perhaps you went to college at age 17 or 18 and chose a major for a career you were interested in, but now you are unsure if it’s still right for you. Or maybe you currently work in a field you like but want more compensation, benefits, or challenges within your job. 

The most effective way to either get into a field you like or increase your earning potential in your current field is to first create a career development plan. 

Here are some components of a career development plan: 

-Determining the range of compensation, you’d like and where you fall within averages in your field

-Having an updated resume and skills list 

-List of tasks and corresponding dates for compensation, personal, and career goals 

If you are looking for a different career:

It can be refreshing and exciting to embark on a new career. However, it can also be stressful and complex. Many may be deterred by switching careers due to financial risk as some may have already spent thousands of dollars on a college degree in a specific area. One way to explore other paths and gain new skills at a super affordable rate is to check out online certificate programs which are significantly cheaper and take much less time than degree programs. 

After determining some options that might be a good fit, writing a plan is your next step. Creating a checklist will help you stay organized in applying for jobs and updating your resume accordingly. 

If you want to stay in your field:

If you enjoy your current field but are looking for more, career development plans can help you figure out the pros and cons of your current position and what is missing from your personal requirements. For example, you may be looking for an increase in salary or to take on more responsibilities. Creating a checklist with dates and goals will help you to get more out of your job. 

Some components to include in your career development plan include: 

-Setting weekly or monthly dates to complete tasks 

-Create a pros and cons list 

-Make a list of your current skills and knowledge 

-Make a list of skills you’d like to work on or become more educated on

-Update your resume 

-Organize your monthly finances and what compensation adjustments are ideal for you

Setting reasonable goals 

Setting goals is a great way to complete tasks, but it’s important to ensure they are reasonable. We can often become impatient with our goals and get frustrated. Writing your development plan can help you stay motivated to work towards your goals and setting dates within the month can help set more realistic expectations. 

To learn more about gaining new skills for your resume and potential promotions, check out Focus EduSolutions Online Programs now to see if we have a program that may be a great fit for you.  

References

Baluch, A., & Main, K. (2023, May 1). How To Create A Career Development Plan. Forbes Adviser. Retrieved September 1, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/career-development-plan/#:~:text=Also%20known%20as%20a%20professional,to%20support%20their%20employees'%20growth.