What Is a Career Action Plan?

A career action plan, or simply career plan, can be as minimal as a list of your career goals and the steps to be taken to reach them.

A career action plan can include your short-term and long-term goals, any plans for education and training, and realistic timelines.

A career action plan can be created for different kinds of career goals. For instance, if you are just beginning college and undecided on a major or career path, then a career plan might focus on what steps you can take in choosing a major or career. Your plan could include:

• what classes to take (classes of interest or a career-planning class?)
• what programs, services and resources to check out (career center?)
• what extracurricular activities to pursue (student clubs?)
• what internships or other volunteer experiences to consider pursuing
• other ideas to consider to help you figure out your major and career

A career action plan is often the culminating assignment or project in career-planning classes and is typically preceded by self-assessment of one’s values, interests, personality style, and skills as well as an exploration of – and research into – potential careers. These career plans often cite the pursuit of a particular career as their main goal. These plans also commonly include:

• an understanding of the typical steps taken for the career and the possible challenges, risks and barriers along the way
• a discussion and analysis of how you arrived on your chosen career, including how your chosen career matches up your self-assessment profile
• clear short-term (one year or less) and long-term goals and the steps to be taken for each goal
• a discussion of how each step and goal will help you in pursuit of your main goal
• a specific and realistic time frame for each step and goal

I’ve seen a wide variety of career action plans over the years. Most plans are created in essay or outline formats, but I’ve also seen creative versions as well, such as PowerPoint presentations, poster board displays, homemade books and even a rap song.

Writing down – or creating – your career plan with specific action steps to take for achieving your goals is an effective way to stay organized and keep inspired. You can mark off each step as you complete them. Of course, your goals and priorities may change, and it’s perfectly okay to continually update your plan.