Module 4 - Career Planning

Unit 5: Long Term Goals

Exploring Long Term Goals

When we enter the "real world" of work, our goals are fairly similar. We want to use our skills and education in a job we enjoy and, in return, receive income and an appropriate status.

If these goals are not met we tend to become dissatisfied and, as a result, seek other employment. Yet even when these basic needs are met, we change and grow. Our goals change. Some jobs change and grow with us - which is why people may stay a lifetime with one company - but more often, people move regularly from job to job, or even career to career.

This frequent movement can be positive - it allows us to learn new skills and face new challenges - but it can lead to a sense of frustration or aimlessness. One way to give meaning to this process of continual career transition is to identify career-related goals that you can achieve in the future.

Below is an exercise to help you identify your goals. Write down some examples of different types of goals you've set and reached, and some you want to reach in the future. Write down why they are important to you.

Past goals achieved

General:

 

Specific:

 

Future goals

General - in 12 months, in 3 years, in 10 years:

 

Specific - in 12 months, in 3 years, in 10 years: