Navigation of the Career Development Process


The Career Development Process is a journey that involves developing and refining your goals.  This journey unfolds as you gain knowledge and experiences.  Although it is not a linear process, it often starts with learning about yourself, exploring your interests, narrowing your options, and finding the right fit.  The Career Planning Center is here to help you navigate the Stages of Career Development, no matter where you are in the Process.

Where are you in the Career Development Process?

Stage 1: LEARN About Yourself

You are at Stage 1 if you are interested in learning about your unique interests and preferences, while discovering how these aspects of yourself relate to different career options.

  • Who am I? What do I want?
  • What are my skills, interests, values, strengths, and personality preferences?
  • What is my idea of work and a career? What is a good fit for me?
  • What motivates me? How do I like to spend my time?
  • What are my fears and barriers?

Possible Stage 1 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Assessments, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Site Licensed programs such as Type Focus, Ability Profiler, MicroSkills, and/or Choices360; Review and discuss your results with a Career Counselor.

Stage 2: EXPLORE Your Major and Career Options

You are at Stage 2 if you are ready to explore majors and research career options that might be a good fit by using our wide range of services and online resources.

  • What occupations surfaced on your career assessments?
  • What are the job duties, salaries, and work environments for various careers?
  • What skills do you need to develop to be successful for the jobs you are exploring?
  • What educational requirements are necessary to reach your desired career?
  • What tools are available to investigate occupations, fields of interest, or career pathways?

Possible Stage 2 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, Site Licensed programs such as Eureka, Focus2, Chronicle Career Library, and/or O*Net; CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Review and discuss your research with a Career Counselor.

Stage 3: MAKE Decisions and Identify Your Goals

You are at Stage 3 when you are narrowing down your academic and career options, have started to put the puzzle pieces together, are moving toward making decisions, and setting short-term and long-term goals.

  • What are some short-term and long-term goals that will allow you to reach your chosen career?
  • What are your barriers to making a decision?
  • How do you analyze the information you gathered in your research and exploration stage?
  • Are you able to define your specific career goals and make tentative career decisions?
  • How do you conduct an informational interview? How do you connect with people who work in careers that interest you?

Possible Stage 3 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Site Licensed programs such as Candid Career Videos, Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center, Vocational Biographies, and/or Choices360; Review and discuss your goals with a Career Counselor.

Stage 4: PLAN Your Education

You are at Stage 4 if you are developing confidence in your major/career choices, academic decisions, and are ready to develop a Student Educational Plan (SEP).

  • Have you met with your Academic Counselor?
  • How will you attain your educational and career goals?
  • Do you have a Student Education Plan (SEP) on File?
  • What prerequisites or major-specific courses should you be taking?
  • Are you reviewing and reevaluating your self-assessments, exploration, and decision process from (Stages 1-3)?
  • Have you looked into internship opportunities that would align with your educational plan and goals?
  • Have you gone to the Transfer Center, attended Transfer Fairs/Workshops, or made an appointment with a University Rep?

Possible Stage 4 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, Revisit Stages 1-3 of the Career Development Process; Site Licensed programs such as Focus2, Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center, and/or Eureka’s Funding Finder; Review and discuss your plan with an Academic Counselor or Career Counselor.

Stage 5: PREPARE for Your Career

You are at Stage 5 when you are preparing to present yourself with confidence, and develop strategies for transitioning from college to a career.

  • Have you developed transferrable skills, such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills?
  • Have you been building your résumé and career portfolio with extracurricular activities, community involvement, and student participation in clubs or class activities?
  • Have you created your LinkedIn account, developed your profile, joined groups, and built a professional network?
  • How have you overcome barriers and stayed motivated?
  • Have you identified or participated in work-based learning or internships?
  • Do you have a mentor?
  • Have you learned how to find meaningful work, and how to interview confidently?

Possible Stage 5 Tools and Resources:  Career Counseling Appointment, Career Class, CPCcypress Pinterest Boards, and Site Licensed programs such as Career Cruising, Choices360, Candid Career Videos, and/or Type Focus; Review and discuss your preparation with a Career Counselor.