Career Planning is a process of exploring and gathering information to enable you to synthesize, make decisions, set goals, gain competencies and take action. Specifically, career planning entails evaluating who you are and what you want to do, learning more about career fields that interest you, and pursuing your goals through educational and skill development.

CAREER PLANNING MODEL

Self-Assessment
A crucial first step in career planning involves gathering information about your self and becoming aware of the interrelationship between self and occupational choice.

Exploration
This step entails investigating the world of work and academic programs in greater depth.

Experience
Upon making an initial occupational choice, the next step is to obtain practical experience relevant to the field of work to help you clarify specific decisions about occupational choices.

Implementation
At this level, you will prepare for and begin conducting a job search or apply to graduate school.

We promote and support the career development process of WWU students from freshman through senior year and our alumni. Help is available for students and alumni making decisions about their futures, and to develop a plan for achieving their goals. For assistance with your career questions, make an appointment to see a Career Services Center counselor.