What are my next steps? 

Career exploration and development can be an overwhelming process, especially when you’re unsure of where to start, or what steps should come next. 

Brainstorming 

•First, start by identifying your goals. Short-term or long-term, begin by defining what you’re looking for. Do you already have an idea of what career path you want to follow? Are you looking for college options? Do you need to gain a better understanding of yourself first? Before officially diving into career exploration, it’s important to know what exactly you want to start exploring. 

Exploration Process 

•This can look different depending on what you came up with during initial brainstorming. 

•Look for available resources that tie into what goals you set in brainstorming. This could include higher education options, certificates, career coaches or counselors in your area, career readiness tools, etc. 

•Look into assessing yourself. Utilize self-assessments or talk to career coaches. Find out your strengths and skills, or what skills you need to improve on. Explore your personality, values and interests, and see if those tie back to any initial goals you set. 

•Remember to periodically go back and check initial goals. These can of course change over time, or some can be erased or added as you proceed through career development. 

Planning 

•Based on your exploration, begin planning for the next steps. 

•Start by looking at what you might need in order to move forward. What documentation do you need for college paths? Do you have resume information ready for entering the workforce? 

•Create an action plan. Write a list, create a timeline, or find any other method that may work for you. Include the next steps you feel you need to take, any resources or materials you may have or need to get, any goals that you may set or that may apply along the way, etc. 

Monitor 

•Monitor your goals and plan as you move forward. Make changes as you see fit. 

•Remember, it’s always alright to take a step back. Career development isn’t always linear. Sometimes, you may need to revisit some things, or plans may not go as expected. 

Important Goal Setting Information 

Goals are an important part of career development. They’re what keep us moving forward. However, it’s important to make sure that goals have substance and can actually be followed. This is why it’s important to set SMART goals. SMART is an acronym that stands for: 

•Specific: Goals are clear and narrow, stating the exact desired outcome 

•Measurable: Parameters should be added to ensure goal progress can be monitored 

•Attainable: It’s important that goals are realistic within the set timeframe 

•Relevant: Each smaller goal you set should be relevant and connect to your overall goal 

•Time-bound: Give yourself a set deadline to keep yourself on track when it comes to your goals. 

Information from: (Moorhead, 2024)