The Planning Process 

1. FOCUS ON THE JOURNEY
Travelling through life is like travelling down a road: having a destination gives direction, but most of the time is spent moving along. Pay attention to the journey, with all its pitfalls, sidetracks, opportunities, and highways to new destinations.

2. FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Dreaming can lead to an understanding of what we really want. And "what we really want" is a prime motivator in shaping a rewarding career. It may take a lot of work to attain, but never be afraid of pursuing a dream.

3. ACCESS YOUR ALLIES
The journey of life is not taken alone. Friends, family, teachers, neighbours -- any of them can be willing and helpful allies when it comes to judging what steps to take on life's path.

4. CHANGE IS CONSTANT
We change constantly, and so does the world around us -- including the working world. Because a single occupation will no longer take workers from the beginning to the end of their working lives, adaptability is an important skill to carry into the next century.

5. LEARNING IS ONGOING
Graduating from high school or college does not signal the end of the learning. Opportunities to learn are everywhere, just waiting to be recognized.

6. Self-Assessment
Self-assessment refers to the process of gathering information about yourself. In the case of career planning it usually means identifying such things as needs, interests, values, skills, and abilities, among other things. Self-assessment results in better self-understanding or self-awareness. You may not think you have any skills but if you undergo a thorough self-assessment, then you may find that you do have certain skills. One example of self-assessment would be a high school student in grade 10 choosing to complete an interest inventory and then doing a follow-up with her/his guidance teacher. To enjoy work it is important to match your interests, abilities, skills and values with the appropriate type of work. Remember that few people enjoy their work all of the time but if the match is a good one, then it should be enjoyable most of the time.

7.  Researching
Once you have worked through step 1, you have a better understanding of your strengths, weaknesses and needs. Now it is time to research career paths. If you have results from a good interest inventory, then those results will suggest that you examine certain areas of study (education) and occupations. By doing this exploration you will evaluate and probably discard many occupations. But in the process you will discover other occupations which require more in-depth research. Such research gives you more information for your decisions. For example, you may discover that you do need to improve skills you already have and a good example of this would be computer skills. Don't forget to talk with people. For example, if you are part of a high school co-op program, then talk to the people you are working with to find out why and how they got where they are and what they would change.

8.  Decision-Making
Having done steps 1 and 2 you need to evaluate your options and make a decision. Consider advantages and disadvantages of your options. Which option meets your needs the best for now? Decision-making is an on-going process in our lives. Making an informed decision is the best way to do it. Remember that your decision can be revisited and changed.

9.  Action Plan
Create an action plan. What do I have to do to make my decision become a reality? Identify any barriers to achieving your current goal(s) and determine how to eliminate any barriers.

10.  Action
Do it! Execute the plan. Example - A grade 10 student has carried out steps 1 to 4 while in grades 10 and 11. The action plan is to apply for a secondary school co-operative education program in grade 12 and to work for a veterinarian. By doing the right things the student ends up in the program and acquires work experience. The student had a plan and acted upon it.

• Arts, Leisure & Recreation
• Business & Administration Computers
• Science & Technology
• Manufacturing & Equipment Operation
• Sales & Services Trades
• Construction & Repair

16.  Job Futures
Move to the Job Futures page of this site, read the information and then use this government site to do further research.

17.  Career Gateway
Explore the Ministry of Education & Training web site called Career Gateway.

18.  Career Path
Career Path is provided by the Ontario College Application Service. Career Path provides you with profiles from recent graduates of a variety of programs & community colleges across Ontario.

19.  Essential Skills Profiles for 150 Entry-Level Occupations
This Human Resources Development Canada web site provides some very useful information based on a research project. The English version begins with Human Resources Partnerships and the Essential Skills section is the focus of this suggested activity. The Essential Skills section defines essential skills and lists examples. Then you may move to another page which lists about 150 entry-level occupations (based on the National Occupational Codes). The Essential Skills Profiles page provides a Reader's Guide which must be downloaded. A detailed essential skills profile may be accessed for each one of the 150 occupations. Each profile is available as a MSWord profile or WordPerfect profile. You may download a profile to a computer hard drive and open it in either MSWord or WordPerfect. Then read it and/or print it if you wish. The profiles vary in length and are several pages long. Check the one or two of most interest to you. Note - A one-page Essential Skills handout (for students) is available in the teachers section of this web site and may be of use to teacher-counsellors and co-operative education teachers.

Links 

• Career Cruising 
• Career Paths
• Job Futures
• Youth Path

Surveys

• JVIS Survey
• Tempermant Sorter
• Mazemaster
• Interests & Skills