Taking the Guesswork Out of Choosing a Career

Students need a concrete process to follow after they have narrowed their career choices. This is especially true for "At-Risk" students and First Generation college attendees. They have unique barriers to the academic and career planning process. In the resource folder, you will find a simple table to guide your work with students. An extremely detailed action plan where specific tasks can be checked off is essential to the students successful planning process. They often think too globally regarding the practical planning needed towards their future. Students are asked to address:

• What do you need to do?
• Why is it important?
• Who can help you do it?
• What forms, materials, money, etc do you need to do it?
• When does it need to be done by?
  

Students need a clear cut process to create an action plan. For them to follow through they need to identify the importance of the action item and any materials or resources they need to complete the step. It needs to be specifically written in the action plan. It is important for the student to identify someone who can help them if needed. Adolescents, especially "at-risk" or First Generation students, frequently believe that career planning and development is an activity that they complete in isolation of others. It is important to address this for each item to overcome this belief and teach the value of networking. This simple step introduces them to the development of a personal and professional network of people that assist and provide access to information or others that can help them pursue their educational and career planning. Last, it is critical that they identify a date to accomplish each step.