There comes a time in most individuals’ careers when they decide, “You know what? I have career goals—and it’s time to achieve them.” While some have this epiphany early in their career, others might not make any long-term plans until they’ve gained a few years of experience or faced a significant career milestone. One thing is certain: There’s not always a straight path toward achieving those dreams. 

That’s where a career development plan comes in. It’s a strategic tool that helps you determine and track your professional goals, allowing you to create a roadmap for achieving them in a timely and organized manner. 

In this article, we’re divulging everything you need to know about how to write a career development plan that will help you make your professional ambitions a reality. 

What is a Career Development Plan? 

A career development plan, also known as a professional development plan, is a tool that allows you to map out your career goals. Once you’ve established your long-term goals, you can create a master plan that breaks them down into smaller, more manageable short-term goals. These incremental steps will guide you toward achieving your broader career objectives over time. 

How To Write a Career Development Plan in 4 Steps 

Creating a career development plan may seem straightforward at first: Simply outline your goals and devise a strategy to achieve them. However, with a few extra steps, you can assess your strengths and identify areas for improvement, helping you tailor your plan to your unique skills and long-term objectives. 

Follow these four steps to craft a comprehensive and actionable career development plan that sets you up for success. 

Step 1: Establish Your Long-Term Goal 

Start by determining where you see yourself professionally in the long term, whether that’s five, ten, or even twenty years down the road. While you might envision yourself as a principal in your current school district, for example, it’s important to ask these questions to see if your original goal aligns with your aspirations: 

  • What do I enjoy doing? 
  • What skills come naturally to me? 
  • Do I prefer working independently, collaborating with others, or leading a team? 
  • What drains my energy in a work environment? What excites me? 

By answering these questions, you can evaluate if your dream aligns with your passions and strengths. 

Step 2: Give Your Skills a Self-Assessment 

Before breaking down your objective into smaller goals, it’s important to assess your current skill set. Start by researching job listings related to your long-term career goal. Take note of the experience, responsibilities, and skills that are consistently mentioned across listings. Write those skills down and rank each one from one to five: one meaning you don’t yet have that ability, and five meaning you can already do it flawlessly. 

With a clearer understanding of where your current skills stand and what’s needed to qualify for your future role, you can begin setting smaller goals to bridge the gap between your current resume and the one that will land you that position. 

Step 3: Set Your Short-Term Goals 

Once you’ve identified your long-term goals and researched the skills you need to improve or learn, you can create a roadmap with short-term goals that will help you reach your final destination. 

For instance, you can work on soft skills like communication or time management, both at work and at home. Hard skills, such as data analysis or knowledge of federal and state education laws, however, require education and experience. To obtain these skills, you’ll need to consider professional development courses and additional education. 

When setting your short-term goals, list them in a logical order, starting with foundational skills and knowledge and gradually progressing to more advanced objectives. Be sure to make SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—to keep you on track and help you achieve your goals within a specific timeframe. 

Step 4: Monitor and Evaluate Your Progress 

Completing your career development plan doesn’t mean you’ve reached the finish line. To get the most out of your hard work—and to stay on track toward your long-term goal—regularly review your plan at least twice a year to ensure you’re following the timeline you set for your short-term goals. It’s also important to reassess your goals to see if any adjustments are needed to better align with your overarching objective. 

Your Path to Success Starts at UTPB 

While career development plans are a great way to help you take actionable steps toward your larger goal, it’s not uncommon for career goals to shift during the process. A National Institutes of Health study found that 54% of participants who completed a career-planning course changed their career preferences afterward. While creating a career plan isn’t quite the same as taking a course, it provides a clear starting point to assess your skills and identify the steps needed to reach your ultimate goal. 

For many, achieving that objective involves further education. At The University of Texas Permian Basin, we offer a variety of online undergraduate and graduate programs to help you gain the skills you need to succeed. 

No matter where you are in life, our online programs make it easier to balance work, life, and education. With asynchronous courses, you can complete your studies on your schedule. Plus, our virtual students also enjoy these online benefits: 

  • Start your education when you’re ready with year-round start dates. 
  • Take advantage of affordable tuition rates. 
  • Access coursework 24/7 from anywhere. 
  • Learn from experienced instructors who also teach on campus. 
  • Network with students worldwide, opening doors to future career opportunities. 

Your future is only a click away. Browse our online program offerings, and when you’re ready, apply to the program that aligns with your goals! 

Sources: 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7605208/