Step 1D - Setting Career Goals

What will go on your business card?

Happy New Year! The start of the year is the perfect time to set some career goals, right?

This is a continuation on a sub-blog series, so please make sure to read the previous posts to get up to speed.

For those joining this career exploration journey, you've explored your academic interests, and figured out some careers that interest you, you may have some ideas about what you want to actually "do" for your career path. 

​The next thing to do is "sense check" your options to make sure they are practical, and then set specific goals that are measurable, achievable, realistic, and have deadlines. 

PONDERING YOUR GOALS - EXPLORE WHICH ARE REALISTIC
When you think about your career path, first of all, know that if you are ambitious, most goals can be accomplished. But you do want to make sure your dreams are realistic for you and your unique circumstances, and then set some short term goals in order to get started. For each career path you're considering, ask yourself the following questions:

• 1. Do jobs exist for people entering your career field of interest? For the job outlooks in the United States, you can check the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but know that while there are exceptions, you will likely be required to return to leave the United States of America shortly after completing your educational program. 
• 2. In case you do not get a job offer abroad, or in case you want to return home, will you have options in your country of origin?
  • If you are not sure, try to find professionals who work in your career of interest within your home country, and ask them for an "informational interview" and make sure to ask interviewees about the job outlook in their region. 

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• 3. If your career path in Morocco is not easy, are you willing to "pave your own path"? For example, instead of working for a company, might you find your entrepreneurial spirit and launch a company?
  • If yes, how will you make sure to get the training and/or coaching to do so? 
  • Perhaps you can you find a mentor.
• 4. Will the actual training you acquire abroad, assuming you study in another country, help you in your home country? Or will other training be required? For example, if you get trained as a Dentist in the United States, you would not actually be qualified to work in Morocco as a dentist (as a dentist acquaintance of mine has learned). 
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​MAKING CHANGES IF NEEDED
If it turns out that you've picked a long term goal that does not seem realistic, try to think about whether there are other options that you can explore instead? Or perhaps there is an academic path in a general field of interest that could open many different doors for you. One example could be business because with a degree in this field, you can learn the skills to launch or grow a business while exploring your interests, and then later decide what kind of business you wish to focus upon. 

ONCE YOU'VE PICKED A LONG TERM GOAL THEN WRITE A "SMART" CAREER PLAN
After you've picked a long term goal, you'll want to break it down into some smaller goals that are more 'short-term' and realistic. I could write an entire blog post on this, and I might, but for now, here are some resources that look pretty solid! Check 'em out. 

• 3 Steps to Develop Your Career Plan: "A goal without a plan is just a wish," said “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, quoted in this  Forbes guide. The steps are to self reflect, set goals, and then make a plan. Read the article for more details. 
• 5 steps to writing a SMART career plan: an easy step-by-step walkthrough. by Erin Delaney on gradaustralia 
• The 5 Minute Career Action Plan: okay so I think it'll take more than 5 minutes, but here are some handy worksheets that can help you with your planning. If you want some one on one coaching to help you through this, contact me to book an appointment. 

Enjoy! 

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