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Why is it important to set a career goal?
I think it’s important to set a career goal because it keeps you on a path instead of just being lost and confused in your college and adult years. #career #career-path
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Rachel’s Answer
Setting a career goal is a great way to create ambition within your career and have a future aspiration. This main goal can then contribute to smaller, baby steps that focus on the now. Just remember, when thinking of this career goal, don't look at the entire staircase. Look at each individual step to get there and keep climbing. Learning and growing is all part of the journey!
Another great reason to have an ultimate career goal is to take the opportunity and reach out to professionals who sit in that role or industry you aspire to be in. Talk with them about their day-to-day and key skillsets. You may either walk away with a solid todo list of acute goals or realize it's not what you want to do at all!
And I do want to note that being "lost and confused" is what college is all about. Try new things and figure out what you're truly passionate towards. Maybe there is a class or club that you are continuously drawn to - listen to that! Work takes up a large amount of our lives, you should be doing what you love! And sometimes that means a lot of trial and error.
Think about what makes you happy. Is there a certain cause you're drawn to helping? Do you love technology? Do you love the environment? Is math a piece of cake for you?
Ideate on that passion to consider a related career.
When you think you have a direction, find someone in that field and talk with them! Real-life examples typically represent the most accurate and modern job description.
Another great reason to have an ultimate career goal is to take the opportunity and reach out to professionals who sit in that role or industry you aspire to be in. Talk with them about their day-to-day and key skillsets. You may either walk away with a solid todo list of acute goals or realize it's not what you want to do at all!
And I do want to note that being "lost and confused" is what college is all about. Try new things and figure out what you're truly passionate towards. Maybe there is a class or club that you are continuously drawn to - listen to that! Work takes up a large amount of our lives, you should be doing what you love! And sometimes that means a lot of trial and error.
Rachel recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Salemi’s Answer
Career goals can help to make sure that your actions align towards your vision for where you want to be in the future. Career goals can be both short-term like getting a degree, certification, or promotion, or they can be long-term, like running your own business or becoming an executive at the company of your choice.
A good framework for thinking about setting goals is the SMART goal framework. A strong goal is:
1. Specific (S) - What do you want to do? How will you do it? When will you do it? Why do you want to do it?
2. Measurable (M) - How will you evaluate success? What does improvement look like?
3. Attainable (A) - Is your goal within scope and possible for you to accomplish?
4. Relevant (R) - Is the goal closely connected to your career objectives?
5. Time-bound (T) - What is the completion date that you will hold yourself accountable to?
Some tips to help achieve the SMART goals that you set:
1. Write down the steps. Write down your career goal and the steps to get there. This will help you remember and achieve each step. Post your list where you will see it often.
2. Have a goal partner. Find someone to help you stick to your plan: a friend, co-worker, an academic advisor, job coach, or someone else. Discuss your goals, and check in with them when you complete steps. If possible, do the same for your partner!
Leverage this SMART Goal Worksheet to get started on setting your goal plans: https://www.mcckc.edu/counseling/goal-setting/docs/SMARTGoalWorksheet.pdf
A good framework for thinking about setting goals is the SMART goal framework. A strong goal is:
1. Specific (S) - What do you want to do? How will you do it? When will you do it? Why do you want to do it?
2. Measurable (M) - How will you evaluate success? What does improvement look like?
3. Attainable (A) - Is your goal within scope and possible for you to accomplish?
4. Relevant (R) - Is the goal closely connected to your career objectives?
5. Time-bound (T) - What is the completion date that you will hold yourself accountable to?
Some tips to help achieve the SMART goals that you set:
1. Write down the steps. Write down your career goal and the steps to get there. This will help you remember and achieve each step. Post your list where you will see it often.
2. Have a goal partner. Find someone to help you stick to your plan: a friend, co-worker, an academic advisor, job coach, or someone else. Discuss your goals, and check in with them when you complete steps. If possible, do the same for your partner!
Salemi recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Ewelina’s Answer
Hello,
It really helpful to have goals as they:
- keep you focused on the final outcome
- keep you motivated and moving forward and this is always a benefit as it provides you with career development and financial opportunities
- you are in a better position to make more informed and conscious decisions;
- you grow and develop;
- you feel more in control.
It's important to keep in mind that you always have the possibility to re-assess your goals and amend them depending on your circumstances, life changes that you may be experiencing. As you are a student at the moment it would be of benefit if you get involved in as many internships or volunteering activities in various companies as possible, so it would give you an insight what path would suit you after graduation.
Hope that helps.
It really helpful to have goals as they:
- keep you focused on the final outcome
- keep you motivated and moving forward and this is always a benefit as it provides you with career development and financial opportunities
- you are in a better position to make more informed and conscious decisions;
- you grow and develop;
- you feel more in control.
It's important to keep in mind that you always have the possibility to re-assess your goals and amend them depending on your circumstances, life changes that you may be experiencing. As you are a student at the moment it would be of benefit if you get involved in as many internships or volunteering activities in various companies as possible, so it would give you an insight what path would suit you after graduation.
Hope that helps.
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
Setting a career goal is important so that you can remember to stay on track with the personal goal you have set in mind. Career goals are also a good way to check on your progress to see how close you are in reaching the goal. It is good to make a step by step check list so you are able to see your overall progress.
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Setting a career goal is important for a couple reasons:
1. You can know what you are working towards.
Setting a career goal can help you get clarity and definition on the place you want to be.
2. You can align your current steps with your future goals.
For example, which classes do you want to take to reach this goal? What extra-curriculars can better help you get there? What other opportunities/people can you connect with?
3. You can better understand when you need to pivot.
Maybe you got clarity on the role/goal you set and you feel it may not be a good fit. Maybe the classes that align with your goal aren't interesting to you. Having a clear goal means you can have clearer clarity on when change is needed! Embrace change--it is a great thing.
1. You can know what you are working towards.
Setting a career goal can help you get clarity and definition on the place you want to be.
2. You can align your current steps with your future goals.
For example, which classes do you want to take to reach this goal? What extra-curriculars can better help you get there? What other opportunities/people can you connect with?
3. You can better understand when you need to pivot.
Maybe you got clarity on the role/goal you set and you feel it may not be a good fit. Maybe the classes that align with your goal aren't interesting to you. Having a clear goal means you can have clearer clarity on when change is needed! Embrace change--it is a great thing.
Updated
Luna’s Answer
Its very important to set a goal so it helps you focus on organization skills, long-term vision and motivation. Its keeps you on the right direction. Always set priorities you can focus your attention on so it helps you grow and improve. Never feel discouraged if something doesn't go as planned. There is no success without failure!
Good luck on your goals!
Good luck on your goals!
Updated
Antonio’s Answer
Hi!
I think is really important to make a career goal (or any type of goal at all), so that you can follow a set of steps o tiny goals,
Tiny steps can make a path to success, so if you set a goal of, maybe, being the CFO a large company, your starting point would be studying a major in Finance so that maybe then you apply to an internship in that company and go on with the other steps to achieve the CFO position.
Hope this can help,
Regards.
I think is really important to make a career goal (or any type of goal at all), so that you can follow a set of steps o tiny goals,
Tiny steps can make a path to success, so if you set a goal of, maybe, being the CFO a large company, your starting point would be studying a major in Finance so that maybe then you apply to an internship in that company and go on with the other steps to achieve the CFO position.
Hope this can help,
Regards.
Updated
Afreka’s Answer
Having a goal to work toward helps to create a strong focus on everything needed to accomplish that goal. Stronger than any goal, however, is your personal desire to accomplish it. Sometimes the meaning of a goal may change, or the goal itself may mold into something new as you grow. The thing that almost always ensures you accomplish anything in life is your will and desire to do so.
Best of luck with all your goals to be accomplished! You've got this.
Best of luck with all your goals to be accomplished! You've got this.