Page 297 - Keys to 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 anything
you envision in your path toward a career, such as steps related to declaring a major or a transfer to another school to pur-
sue 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.

Consult Your School’s Career Services

Every college has a career-focused office, perhaps referred to as the career center or
office of career planning and placement, staffed with well-informed people and stocked
with a wide array of resources. Your career office can help you both in your explora-
tion period as well as when you need more specific guidance for job applications and
interviews. Do not hesitate to visit early and often. Generally, most career offices can
help you with the following tasks.

Exploration through self-assessment. Ask about what self-assessment tools your
office has available for you—perhaps one involving the aforementioned Holland hexa-
gon, or one looking at your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator code, or a host of others.
Tools like these will help you look at your interests and abilities and see what majors
and career may make the most of them.
Information on specific careers and the general job market. Whatever career
interests you, the office will have information on it, as well as ideas about other places
online and at the library to research further. Staffers will also be informed about trends
such as which industries are growing and which are suffering, and where the jobs are
projected to be as you enter the workforce.

Preparing important materials. Creating a résumé and cover letter can be daunting.
The career center staff can guide you with choosing a format and selecting information

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