Page 345 - Keys To Community College Success

get creative

YOUR STRATEGIC TIMELINE

Complete the following on paper or in digital format.

Considering your self-knowledge, experience, possible career paths, and understanding of the workplace, create a practical
five-year timeline as a strategic plan to achieve a career goal. First, describe where you do want to be in five years. For each
of the following time frames, write in the steps you think you will need to take toward that five-year goal. Include any-
thing you envision in your path toward a career, such as steps related to declaring a major or a transfer to another school
to pursue additional degrees.

■ One month from now…
■ Three months from now…
■ Six months from now…
■ One year from now…
■ Two years from now…

■ Three years from now…
■ Four years from now…

Finally, create a timeline version of your plan, using a visual format you like and adding smaller goals as necessary. Keep
your timeline where you can refer to it and revise it, since changes in the world and in your knowledge and experience
may require adjustments in your plan.

Create a Strategic Plan

After your exploration has led you to jobs or careers that interest you, get specific and
create a plan for how you will pursue one or more of them (see the Get Creative exer-
cise for one way to do this). Establish the risks that make up this plan – whom you will
talk to, what courses you will take, what skills you will work on, what jobs or intern-
ships you will investigate, and any other tasks. Be proactive in finding opportunities.
But keep your plan flexible, seeing it as a structure to guide your actions, and knowing
that there may be possibilities yet unknown to you.
With your knowledge of general workplace success strategies, you can effectively
search for a job in a career area that works for you.

HOW CAN YOU CONDUCT
an effective job search?

Whether you are looking for a job now or planning ahead for a search closer to
graduation, you have choices about how to proceed. In this challenging economy and
struggling job market, finding the right job—or any job—may be tougher than you
anticipated. Use resources available to you, know the basics about résumés and inter-
views, and plan strategically. Careers and More

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