Parents and educators all agree that it is important for students to plan for their education and career. Focus and confidence are two elements crucial to a student’s success and having a well-thought-out plan is how students develop a strong focus and gain confidence in their decision. What does all of this look like though?

We have a tendency to think about academic and career planning in chronological order. A child has to obtain education and training before he/she can have a fruitful career, right? So, our trend in the past in America has been to choose a college/technical school/university first, next they declare a major, and then worry about the career planning aspects once in college. It looks a lot like this:

The process above is exactly what led my brother to failure at university (read his story here). Luckily, we have been seeing a shift from this model to the correct way…a flipped approach. The student needs to begin with the end in mind. First, the student should identify the career he/she wants to pursue by engaging in career planning. This process raises self-awareness, allows students to explore careers, and then gain relevant experience. From the career planning process and engaging with industry professionals, the student will identify the major or program of study that will best prepare him/her for that career. Finally, the student should choose a technical school, college, or university that offers quality training or education in that area. So, the process should look more like this:

Engaging in career planning first and then academic planning will give students the focus and confidence necessary to be successful as they pursue their dreams. Even if a student has moved on to post-secondary education and is still unsure of his/her career path, it is not too late to engage in career planning! In fact, I tell my students that the career planning process doesn’t end until one retires! There is always an experience (or endless experiences!) to be gained, new technologies and principles to be learned, and new opportunities to seek!

I am a passionate Career Coach and Career Educator dedicated to the professional development and success of students! How can I help you (or a student in your life) achieve career goals? Don’t miss the opportunity to receive free tips and updates by joining my email list!

Academic & Career Planning: Do it Backward!
Loren Kelly