Career and Self Development

Proactively develop self and career through continual personal and professional learning. Developing an awareness of strengths and weaknesses, learning to navigate career opportunities, and network. Seeks to build relationships within and outside organization and current profession. The ability to navigate and explore job options, understand and complete the steps necessary to pursue opportunities, and to self-advocate for opportunities in the workplace.

Sample Behaviors

Show an awareness of own strengths and areas for development.
Identify areas for continual growth while pursuing and applying feedback.
Develop plans and goals for one’s future career.
Professionally advocate for oneself and others.
Display curiosity and seek out opportunities to learn.
Assume duties or positions that will help one progress professionally.
Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help one professionally.
Seek and embrace personal and professional development opportunities.
Participate in further education, training, or other events to support one’s career.

NACE Center for Career Development and Talent Acquisition®

Developing Career and Self Development

Meet with a CAP Mentor and Career Coach
Complete the Strengths Finder assessment
Attend events in HireWarrington
Participate in networking events
Read books and journals relevant to your field of interest
Job shadow professionals
Seek a mentor in your field
Complete career interest assessments
Identify your personal values and goals
Develop technical and functional skills
Create a career timeline from internship to retirement
Identify career opportunities that align with your strengths, values, skills, and goals

What does growth look like?

Level	Type	Description
1	Exposure	Recognizes the value of self-reflection and goal setting in career exploration Classifies one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values, and experiences relevant to career goals Identifies potential careers and next steps for career exploration
2	Interaction	Uses one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values, and experiences to explore career options and map necessary next steps Selects a list of career options based on one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values and goals
3	Participation/ Proficiency	Integrates one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values, and experiences in communication to develop relationships with stakeholders potential career areas Differentiates between career options to select an opportunity best aligns with one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values and goals Carry out the responsibilities in an internship or other relevant work setting
4	Expertise	Assembles a network of professionals aligned to one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values, and experiences and career options In an internship setting, advocates for experiences aligned to one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values and goals Reflects on the development of one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values and goals to determine areas necessary for further professional growth and career goals
5	Mastery	Creates and/or recognizes opportunities for networking and mentoring among and outside of one’s professional network Self-advocates for opportunities for continued growth and skills, strengths, knowledge, values and goal development related to one’s career options Creates opportunities for continued development of one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, values related to one’s career goals