Career Strategy: Steps to Developing A Plan
STEP 1: Write a brief goal statement of what you hope to accomplish in your
life within the next 1 to 5 years. (Make sure the goal is Dated, Achievable,
Personal, Positive Specific)
My professional goal is to obtain a job with my degree as a Medical Administrative Professional by
5/2021. I will be actively pursuing employment after graduation. I want to work in either Medical
Records or Billing at Marshfield Clinic.
My personal goal is to focus on a job that I don’t feel stressed when I come home from work. I will
also have the same goal as my professional goal to achieve with my next job. I am going to put myself
as a priority.
STEP 2: Identify your SWOT:
STRENGTHS (internal)
I am a very hard worker, work well independently, and also with a team. I took the survey and have
very strong leadership skills. I am quite optimistic and have a good outlook on things.
WEAKNESSES (internal)
I am a perfectionist and take it very personally if I make a mistake. I need to work more on taking
criticism. I need to learn to talk to others better about things that bother me.
OPPORTUNITIES (external)
I am currently doing an externship at Prevea; this has given me much-needed insight into what
departments I would like to pursue after graduation.
I am going to use a fresh start with a new job as an opportunity to ensure that I am not coming home
stressed from work. I am going to handle the issues needed at work, ask for help when needed, and
enjoy my time at home without worry.
THREATS (external)
Many of these jobs that are available in my area are already filled. It will be more challenging in a
smaller area to find the job I want.
Workplace threats from past employment were working with others that had negative attitudes. It was
hard to work with that sort of negativity. More than once I have had to speak up and ask the person
with the bad attitude to please stop.
STEP 3: Write what steps you are taking or what you’re doing to achieve your goal.
Professional steps:
1. I am currently working on determining exactly which department I want to work in.
2. I have been doing a lot of networking to find out about available jobs before they appear to the
public.
3. Apply for jobs that look like they would be a good fit for me.
Personal Steps:
1. Speak up when something is bothering me.
2. Ask for help from others when needed, sometimes other people see solutions to problems that I
do not.
3. Spend more time relaxing and meditating to deal with stress.
STEP 4: Write a statement of your proposed strategy (what you will do) using the strengths and
opportunities you’ve identified to achieve this goal.
I will first narrow down which area I plan to work in, and then I will do more job searching and
networking. I plan to first apply to medical facilities close to home; then, I will focus my job search a
little further from home if need be.
I will take time everyday to work on stress relief, I am great at setting up a schedule and sticking with
it. Putting myself will be a priority.
STEP 5: How will you know if you succeed?
I will be employed in a fulfilling job that pertains to what I have spent the last two years at WITC
learning!!!
I will have a better appreciation of handling stress when I am at home and I will know that I have
succeeded in my goal of stress reduction when I sleep better and am feeling more happy at home. I
believe that this will make me much happier at work also. A happy person is much better able to do a
good job at work and in their own personal life.
DAPPS: GOAL SETTING
Your goal has a concrete deadline.
D DATED
Short-term is 2 to 3 months
Long-term is 1 year or more
Effective goals are realistic goals!
This is something that you can do.
A ACHIEVABLE
These are your goals! They contribute to your
dreams.
P PERSONAL You’re doing this because you want to, not
because someone else wants you to.
Focus your energy on what you do want.
P POSITIVE
State outcomes in specific, measurable terms.
S SPECIFIC
