Choosing a career is a big decision.
Planning for the future is not something you do once. It's an ongoing process. Career planning has three steps that your child will cycle through and repeat throughout his or her working life.
By following the steps below, young people can make informed career decisions. As a parent, you can help them explore their options and discover what it will take to reach their goals.
The Three Steps in the Career Planning Process
- Step One: Know yourself
- Evaluate yourself—your interests, abilities, and work values.
- Step Two: Explore options and choose a direction
- Gather information to consider career options that relate to what you know about yourself.
- Step Three: Make plans and take action
- Consider issues that can affect your plans and take appropriate actions to accomplish your goals.
Ask your school about ACT's DISCOVER, a career guidance program that can help with all these steps.