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Career Planning

Planning Your Career
Career Planning is a step by step process that helps you identify the most satisfying career for you. It is a process of self-discovery related to career opportunities. The four steps that follow may assist you in the planning process.

Steps

1. What Are My Needs?
   Discover who you are and what your needs are. Identify your needs. A clear picture of your career planning needs can come from answering these questions.
   • Interests - What activities do I enjoy?
   • Abilities - What activities do I do well?
   • Aptitudes - What activities would I learn well?
   • Personality - What are my personal values and qualities?
   • Physical Requirements - What physical activity is acceptable in a job?

   Finding Answers

   • Think about your likes and strengths in previous jobs and training experiences.
   • Talk to other people and counselors; at your former high school or at your local Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Centre.
   • Try new tasks like volunteering and job shadowing.

   Two sites that may be helpful in your needs identification exercise are:
   WorkSearch--Topics discussed on this site include taking care of basics, knowing yourself, exploring careers, learning and training, looking for work, becoming self-employed, and staying marketable.
   Canada Prospects--Canada's guide to career planning for people of all ages.
   Youth may wish to contact East Prince Youth Development Centre. The centre provides employment vocational planning/career counseling, personal wellness counseling, an academic upgrading component, and GED preparation.

2. What Are My Options?
   Discover what occupational area might suit you. Many people do not stay in one job or occupation for their entire working life. It is a good idea to look at several occupations that interest you.

   When exploring information about occupations, consider

   • Duties (occupational descriptions)
   • Skills, aptitudes and abilities required
   • Education and training needed
   • Hours of work
   • Job satisfaction
   • Location of work
   • Salary/wages
   • Personal needs
   • Employment outlook.

   Sites that may assist you in exploring occupations are:
   Job Futures-PEI--This publication provides information on the current trends and future outlooks for over 80 occupations common to Prince Edward Island.
   Job Futures-Canada--This is a two part publication dealing with Occupational Outlooks, and Career Outlooks for Graduates.
   Careertransit-- This is a new job search web site dedicated to helping people find careers/candidates in the Atlantic Provinces.
   Jobs, Work and Recruiting--This is a partner category within Workinfonet-PEI and contains numerous websites on job options.

3. What Steps Can I Take?
   Make decisions by matching what you know about yourself to the job options you deem suitable.

   Ask yourself the following questions:

   • What information do I have on my needs and skills?
   • What information do I have on occupations that interest me?
   • How do my needs and skills compare with my job options?
   • What additional information do I need?
   
   
4. Prepare or update your resume
   Click on one of the following sites for assistance in preparing a resume.
   Resume Writing - Why Your Resume is Important--Topics discussed include different types of resumes, what resumes should include, and handy resume writing tips.
   Internet Resume--How to write a killer resume.
   

You will be faced with career decisions throughout your life. The above steps can be used continuously to help you make decisions related to work, education and leisure activities.

Only you can make the decision that is right for you. It may be beneficial, however, to seek help from other people and other sources when trying to make up your mind. Below are additional sites that may assist you in your career planning exercise.

Canada Career Consortium--The CCC is a new strategic alliance of four partners from the private sector and government working together to develop and deliver quality, cost-effective career information.
Career Awareness--This is an Human Resources and Skills Development Canada site providing information and products that will help you in making career decisions.
Career Paths 10-Step career Planning Guide--This interactive web guide is a comprehensive set of 10 career planning steps that allows users to enter their information right into the site. The guide is broken down into 10 easy and fun activities and focuses on getting to know yourself - then getting to know the world of work around you.
CanLearn--CanLearn is a one-stop resource for learning information, products and services to support Canadians in pursuit of learning and career goals.
The Real Game--This dynamic series offers progressive, adaptable, and interactive career exploration programs to today's youth and adults.

Information About Occupations
Occupational Profiles--This is a listing of occupational profiles for PEI.
Prince Edward Island Employment Potential--This list provides information on the short term employment potential of selected occupations
For additional information on occupations, click on Jobs, Work and Recruiting. This is a partner category within Workinfonet-PEI and contains information on occupations.

Resources for Researchers and Professionals
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - Career Awareness--If you are a career counsellor or if you are simply looking for career information, you can access booklets and other publications, videos, reference books and computer software via this on-line catalogue.

• workinfonet Canada - Occupations and Careers