What is Career Planning?

Career planning is one of those crucial decisions which decide the future course of events in life. If you are in college and planning how to start your career, you are doing career planning. By definition, career planning identifies the interest area based on skills, educational qualification, suitability for future financial responsibilities, etc.

What is career planning, and how is it different from a job?

Career planning is a life-long process and little different in definition from the job. Job is working for a company or a work at a specific period. Career is the interest field for a lifetime.  A candidate might have changed a couple of jobs but retained a career of interest. For example, Mr. A joined a sugar factory as an engineer and left after six months. He joined another company as an engineer. In this example, Mr. A has changed jobs but keeps the same career option.

Another notable deciding factor for career planning is cultural belonging and experiences in life. Cultural background and life events impact decision-making abilities, interest area, and perspective about life goals.

The process of career planning can be categorized into three parts:

Self-exploration, Career options, and market explorations, Goals, and Objective setting

Self-exploration

Before starting career plans, a candidate needs to do self-introspection thoroughly. It includes understanding his/her relevant skills, interest, education level, experience for the job, and what values he/she will add to the respective career in a company.

Career options and market exploration

After doing self-assessment, it’s time to research job market statistics for career interest and available job postings on job portals. Candidates should attend job seminars, career fairs, interviews of achievers in the particular domain.

What is career planning if you don’t know the prevailing scenario of the job market and prospects of the interest area? The above two steps will help in arriving at an informed decision about a career.

Goals and Objectives settings

After researching the market and self-assessment, it’s time to set goals and objectives. After deciding on goals and how they will solve future financial requirements, start applying for a job or taking action towards career objectives.

Reason for career planning

Financial independence and family support are primary reasons most candidates plan for an interview, competitive exams, or professional courses. Most of the standard jobs are available for graduates and postgraduates, so you should focus on finishing college to increase your chances of getting a job and starting a career.

Some people pursue a career for hobbies and passion. These types of candidates come from affluent families and do not need a job for financial objectives. They are more into fine arts, photography. Traveling etc.

Conclusion

To excel in a career, candidates need to understand what is career planning and how to do it properly. A proper and planned search will lend a suitable job which will provide satisfaction, learning opportunity and growth in career.