To arrive at the best career plan, self-assessment is the most important first step.
Take stock of your:
- Interests – How do you like to spend your spare time?
- Values – What is important to you? What are your priorities in life?
- Talents – What comes naturally to you? What characteristics do you take for granted?
- Skills – What have you learned to do? What do you still need to learn how to do?
- Strengths – What are your strong points? What subjects/skills do you like most? Why?
- Weaknesses – What are your weakest points? What subjects/skills do you like least? Why?
- Goals/aspirations – What do you hope to accomplish in 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? life?
If you do not know the answers to these questions, you need to do some homework on YOU –
FOCUS 2 is an online, self-guided program which identifies your work values, skills, personality preferences, and natural strengths to help you make decisions about your future career goals. For more information, see the FOCUS 2 Users Guide. Once you have completed a FOCUS 2 assessment, please schedule a meeting with a Career Services career professional to review your profile.
To make the wisest career choice: Know yourself well and then:
- Research career fields of interest.
- Identify coursework, skills, and experience you will need to be competitive in your career.
- Acquire coursework, skills, and experience you need to be competitive.
- Learn how to market your knowledge, skills, experience, and potential.
The Career Services staff is here to help you through each of these steps.
Questions? We’re Here to Help
Connect with Career Services
Email: careerservices@vmi.edu
Phone: (540) 464-7560
Career Services
311 Carroll Hall