Five-Year Career Development Plan Paper
Thomas Westbrook
The University Of Phoenix
December 15, 2008
Five-Year Career Development Plan
In order to construct a five-year career development plan, I must first ask myself what are my goals and aspirations and better yet do I have a set plan in place that will help me achieve these goals.
On the average, a healthy working adult may spend at least 40 years working. Often we learn through trial and error what it is that we like and dislike, where our strengths are, and what we value and need from work. At any point or at many points in our career life, we may find that we have outgrown our job, want a change, or simply just want to try something else.
Regardless of where you are in your career path, now can be the time to reflect on your career progress and aspirations to determine if changes are needed. You should always make a commitment to turn your dreams into specific goals. Studies have shown that goals, which are vague and unspecific rarely ever, get accomplished.
Life does not always have to be complicated. Planning your career doesn’t have to be either. Use simple charting to set your goals, plan your action steps, and identify the resources you will need, establish deadlines, and document your accomplishments.
Professional development, which is also known as continuing education, should be an essential component of your career growth and plan. With ...