To arrive at the best career plan, self-assessment is the most important first step.

Take stock of your:

• Interests - How do you like to spend your spare time?
• Values - What is important to you? What are your priorities in life?
• Talents - What comes naturally to you? What characteristics do you take for granted?
• Skills - What have you learned to do? What do you still need to learn how to do?
• Strengths - What are your strong points? What subjects/skills do you like most? Why?
• Weaknesses - What are your weakest points? What subjects/skills do you like least? Why?
• Goals/aspirations - What do you hope to accomplish in 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? life?

If you do not know the answers to these questions, you need to do some homework on YOU -

FOCUS 2 is an online, self-guided program which identifies your work values, skills, personality preferences, and natural strengths to help you make decisions about your future career goals. For more information, see the FOCUS 2 Users Guide. Once you have completed a FOCUS 2 assessment, please schedule a meeting with a Career Services career professional to review your profile.

To make the wisest career choice: Know yourself well. Then:

• Research career fields of interest.
• Identify coursework, skills, and experience you will need to be competitive in your career.
• Acquire coursework, skills, and experience you need to be competitive.
• Learn how to market your knowledge, skills, experience, and potential.

The Career Services staff is here to help you through each of these steps.