Inescapable components of career planning

If you observe an artist from close quarters, you will realize that he initially sketches an outline that sets apart prime shapes. At this stage, the finer points are not exposed. Career planning is also similar, but with a difference; it entails outline sketching, but with all fine points included. It is a detailed and reasonably prearranged process. The common aspect in the two is the need to have a clear portrait of the final outcome.

Career planning is a continuous process. It involves adjustments and modifications; and at times, an absolute change of whatever was planned or conceptualized at the beginning. It ought to be undertaken at the earliest, even if it is before time. Important actions that need to be undertaken and which form important components of career planning are:

·   Have a futuristic viewpoint: Your outlook should be positive and nature optimistic. If you are able to maintain such a disposition, you will always plan your advancement well; your career will move on at good pace. If there happen to be any impediments, your flow per se will help skirt them, precluding any possibility of getting   stranded. Remember that life is all about being in motion; the past and the present should serve to guide you in scheduling the growth of your career.

·   Uncover & perk up: Every organization prefers to recruit people with prior experience. This qualitative requirement is of advantage to both the employee and employer; and obviously facilitates early settling down. The newcomer understands and visualizes things; and thus is able to make better contributions. Therefore, self-improvement ought to be your prime priority. Professional development and advancement of individual perceptions should be looked upon as a crucial prerequisite for your career planning. If you are able to devote twenty to thirty minutes daily for your own learning and growth, things will be better from you.

·   Evaluate & articulate: This implies taking decisions related to organizational pursuits or even your personal future. There is no management that does not seek to promote eagerness and dynamism amongst its employees. Therefore, a display of passion, inventiveness and enterprise will always be viewed in the correct perspective, provided your ideas are not extraordinarily bizarre. Considering the foregoing, you should not shy away from making concrete resolutions and assessments on issues that concern your career and which, expand the scope of your professional progress. It is not much of significance to feel something; what is important is to make your opinion known.

·   Find options: If you happen to be working in a company, it cannot be taken for granted that the openings and prospects available within the department are the only alternatives available to you. To grow and advance, you can move laterally and then vertically. At all times, you have the option to move to another appointment in another division in the same setup; or walk out and take up a similar assignment elsewhere. It is possible that you shoulder twin responsibilities; and should you do this, you will be able to lay the foundation for an enduring and stable career growth.

The significance of career planning lies in the spelling out the basics and conditions of self-development. You may dream of getting into a renowned institution and if you do, whatever is to follow will change drastically. However, a dream is just like a castle in the sky and you will be able to build it only if you pass the laid down conditions for admission. And that is why people do not take undue risks and opt for colleges where admission procedures are not severe. It is the lot is not very intelligent or who can afford to purchase seats that benefits the maximum. However, in order to exercise a suitable choice, you have to go through some basic considerations and in this context, it needs to be understood that the size and name of the institution in no way characterizes the difficulty planes of the entrance examinations. Big institutions may not have strict admission procedures at all. This is borne out by the fact that the number of students there are large. The reputation could serve to shift the focus of attention of students to other issues. There are however, two unavoidability issues – colleges will have to ensure that their reputation is preserved and not be selective in their admission procedures. The foregoing will necessitate display of enthusiasm and application of researched knowledge. You should not be carried away by what others tell you. Any decision to accept or discard recommendations should be mad after appropriate deliberation.

Remember that it is your resolve alone that holds the key to your success. You should never lose sight of your long-term goals and hence be well-informed prior to submitting an application.  There should be nothing that should inhibit realization of your dreams - you and you alone can chase them and transform them into actualities.