Making career decisions

You’re not just choosing a school program, you are choosing a career. These resources will provide a structured approach to career decision-making and educational planning.

We have selected these particular online resources because they are immediately useful and, in most cases, Canadian content. They are not intended to replace professional guidance but to give you tools to help you plan your career and education more effectively.

The most important thing to consider is that your career (and the education that leads to it) should be a good reflection of who you are and what you are like. You don’t want to get into something (or fall into something!) and then find it’s not really you.

Download this tip sheet for useful points to keep in mind while evaluating different career and educational options. If you require detailed career planning guidance try these resources:

• CAREERinsite walks you through the 5 steps of the career planning process (this is run by the Alberta Learning Information Service – there is no equivalent in Ontario).
• Ontario Prospects is a career planning guide published annually to help people gather career information, make effective choices, and plan their education.
• University of Waterloo’s Career Development eManual has long been an established career development process for students and members of the general public.
• ContactPoint is a site that connects Career Development Practitioners across Canada. If you require in-person guidance try this directory or individuals, organizations and agencies providing career development services.

Running into roadblocks as you try to make career choices? The Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire , will help you locate difficulties you may be facing in your career decision-making process and allow us to direct you to relevant sources of information and help.

High Five Career Messages

Good food for thought as you make decisions and plan your career.

Change is Constant

Change has become a constant force both at work and in life outside of work. However, change often brings opportunities. Flexibility, versatility and adaptability during transitional times can be the keys to career-building success.

Focus on the Journey

Life is a journey that is made up of experiences, and destinations are merely stopping points along the way. Career building requires us to focus on our goals, while also paying attention to everything that occurs we travel toward those goals.

Learning is Continuous

Learning, in all contexts, is a continuous, lifelong process. Learning, work and skills development are intertwined as we engage in our career-building experiences.

Team Up with Others

We are surrounded by people who can assist us in making career decisions and in other ways as we travel the road of life. Family friends, neighbours, co-workers, and teachers are all potential supporters and mentors. Build networks of supporters and be part of the networks of others.

Follow Your Heart

We do our best when we work at what we love or have a passion for. The pursuit of dreams motivates and directs us, and helps clarify what is important to us. Career building makes us consider what we feel in our hearts.

Source: The High-Five Messages of Career Planning. (2003) Ontario Prospects.

 Links on this page were checked and verified: October 2011. Report a broken link or suggest a better one.