What is career planning?
Career planning steps you through the process of:
- Choosing a career that suits your interests and abilities
- Deciding the best way to pursue it
- Taking the necessary action
Just like any plan, it provides a more formal way of thinking about your future by writing down a proposed way forward and periodically revisiting your plan to see how you're tracking.
A career plan involves:
- Identifying your skills, goals and interests and matching them to a job, course or training program
- Researching the range and type of jobs that fit your skills and interests
- Developing a strategy to find work or pursue training in your chosen field
- Carrying out your plan
A career plan is not set in stone and should grow and change as you do.
How do I create and action a career plan?
Online career planning resources
We've profiled some websites (see the 'Career planning links' below) that provide steps, tips and tools for planning your career.
Career counsellors
Alternatively, seek assistance from a qualified career planner or, if you're still at school or doing tertiary training, through your career counsellor or career resource centre.
We've also linked to some sites that provide more information about finding and using career planning professionals.
Research
You'll also find information to help you research your career and training options in our Jobs & Careers and Studying & Training sections. Visit our:
- Victoriaworks page for information on this program
- Graduate Recruitment Programs for an overview of how these programs can help your career
- Choosing where to study section, you'll find links to university, TAFE and private provider websites. Search under 'Career Planning' on these provider sites to find information about career planning programs and services available.
- Career counselling page for an overview of what a career counsellor does and where to find one
Career planning links
MyFuture - Career Development
The MyFuture site has a self-guided, step-by-step career planning process called My Guide, which helps you assess your goals, explore career possibilities, clarify your career direction and set a plan of action. The MyFuture Career Development page explains these career-planning steps in detail. To use MyGuide, you will need to register first. There is no charge or obligation for using MyGuide.
Year 12 - what next?
While targeted at school-leavers to help them make decisions about what to do after Year 12, it's also useful for anyone investigating their future study and work options. It includes information about career planning, future work opportunities, the benefits of education and training and options for working while studying.
aLife
A great source for career ideas, aLife is packed with profiles featuring video interviews with real people doing their jobs. You can view specific job profiles, choose one at random or select a profile based on your interests or personality traits.
Australian Job Search - Career Quiz
Try this quick quiz to get a general idea of some of your likes and dislikes about work. Are you creative or a people person? Do you prefer practical or technical work? All these things help you get a sense of the types of jobs or training programs that best suit you.
Centrelink - Career Information Services
Centrelink has a free Career Information service available for registered job seekers. This page explains more about the services available and how to get assistance.
Workplace - Special Career and Job Search Tips for School Leavers
A series of articles developed by the Federal Government to assist recent school leavers with information on job searching and career management strategies.
youth.gov.au - education & work
This site is a good starting point for links to career and job information.
