Overview

Your goals are the motivators that lead you to what you want in your life. A successful career search involves defining your goals and knowing how to reach them. The key to the goal setting is overcoming procrastination, habits and negative thinking that may be obstacles keeping you stuck.

Dare to put aside your fears and excuses while completing the exercise below.

Next Step Exercise

The Next Step Exercise is an easy way and quick way to write down ideas that can keep you moving towards your career goals. The first step is to determine what your overall goal is at this point. It may be very clear such as pursue a degree in computer science. Your goal may simply be to continue researching occupations to determine a college major and career goal. Begin your map by putting your career goal is the center with a circle around it. See the example below and complete the exercise.


Writing Assignment #10


Please send me an email, responding to the following items. Refer to example below.

  • Refer to the Next Step Exercise, and tell me what you have defined as your long term career goal.
  • Briefly describe three of the action steps listed on your mind map.
  • Briefly describe the biggest obstacle you think you will face in reaching your goal.
  • Email the assignment to mmiller@palomar.edu

This is the final writing assignment.

To receive credit in the course, please complete the course evaluation in the next section.

Spring 2002 - The final due date to email assignments is May 10, 2002.

 

 


Example

My long term career goal is to find a good paying job related to my interests. I don't want to go to school for years trying to get to this goal. Three action steps that I listed on my mind map are as follows:

  • Take classes to gain computer skills. I want to learn computer skills to help me finding a job.
  • Attend a resume workshop and produce a resume. I need a resume to give employers when I apply for a job.
  • Use the Internet to find out about job opportunities. I need to find out about jobs in San Diego.

My biggest obstacle is that I don't like school and I need better skills to get into a new job. I have to work full-time and it's hard to make time to going to college...I can only take one class, or maybe two.

Also, I'm not really sure what type of job I want...I just know that I'd like to earn $12+ dollars an hour at least.