Step 1: Know Yourself
<p>Start with an assessment of yourself and what you want.<br />
● Where am I at now?<br />
● Where do I want to be?<br />
● What do I want out of a job or career?<br />
● What do I like to do?<br />
● What are my strengths and skills?<br />
● What is important to me?<br />
Build knowledge about your goals and preferences. What you want, need, and like will help you think about jobs and training.</p>
Step 2: Find Out
<p>Learn about jobs and areas of study that might interest you.<br />
● What are these careers like?<br />
● What skills would I need?<br />
● How do my skills and interests match up?<br />
● What are the gaps?<br />
● How can I learn skills and earn qualifications?<br />
● Where is the work?<br />
This step should help you make a list of jobs and learning options that work for you.</p>
Step 3: Make Decisions
<p>Compare your options and narrow down your choices.<br />
● What are the best work and training options?<br />
● How do they match with my skills, interests, and values?<br />
● What is the job market like for these careers?<br />
● How does it fit with my life and family?<br />
● What are the pros and cons?<br />
● What can I do to move forward?<br />
At the end of this step, you should have narrowed down your options to specific long-term or short-term goals.</p>
Step 4: Take Action
<p>Plan your next steps. You might explore work experience, do research, gain skills, or target a long-term goal. Ask:<br />
● What do I need to achieve my goals?<br />
● What are the long-term steps?<br />
● What are my immediate first steps?<br />
● What is my timeline?<br />
● Where can I get help?<br />
● Who will support me?<br />
Create a plan to move forward. This isn't the end. Revisit any step, or all the steps, whenever you need to.</p>