Charting Your Career

Once you have an idea of what you want to do with your life, you need to create a map to get to your dream job. It’s possible that you may not have all the essential skills or education needed, so you’ll have to create a career plan and look at the next steps that are necessary to take.

Your career plan is a short summary that outlines your past, present work and the steps to get to where you want to be. For example, your career plan could read something like this:

Your Education: Culinary Arts
Your Past Work: Baker
Your Current Job: Grocery Store Bakery Manager
Your Dream Job: Restaurant Manager

Steps to Get There:

• Research opportunities and requirements in the field
• List your culinary and management skills
• Obtain continuing education or certification
• Write individualized letters and resumes
• Interview

Your career plan will continue to keep you focused on your dream job and how you plan to land it. Set a timetable for when you want to secure your dream job and be reasonable about it--one month won't be enough time!