Career Development Model

The Career Development Model is divided into two major sections:

• Counselor and
• Client

Each section shows the steps that you and your counselor will take as you progress in concert through the 5 Career Development Phases . The Career Development phases begin with Client Exploration and end with Client Achievement . Each phase has a distinct focus and purpose in your journey, as described in more detail in the next section of this chapter.

The journey through the framework is not linear for everyone . Some people go through the phases step-by-step, while others may iteratively cycle through phases and/or steps until key questions and decisions are answered and they feel comfortable moving forward.

Your counselor will guide you through the Career Framework and work with you to determine the steps you need to take to achieve your career vision. Your path and pace will depend on your unique situation, timeline, and goals.

As a client, you should read the Framework steps as moving from the Career Phases downward (for example, your first step during the Client Exploration phase is to “Explore/Clarify Issues and Goals,” etc.). For your counselor, the Framework steps should be read from the Career Phases upward (e.g. during the Client Exploration phase, his/her first step will be “Problem Crystallization”). A brief summary of the five career development phases, from Explore to Achieve, is on the pages that follow.

The Career Development Framework

This diagram shows the complete Framework, including both Client and Counselor portions, to provide you with a view from both perspectives.

Phase 1: Explore

The purpose of this phase is to:

• Identify and clarify your career-related questions, issues, and concerns
• Gain a greater understanding of your personal strengths, abilities, and interests and the importance of managing your “Career Assets”
•  Gain a greater understanding of factors influencing your career planning and decisions
•   Reflect on your past career choices and your future career goals.

Phase 2: Discover

The purpose of this phase is to:

• Explore and gain a greater understanding of potential careers and positions that match well with your strengths, interests, and work/life goals
• Research and identify the pros and cons associated with different career options
• Narrow your options and create a Roadmap that identifies outstanding questions and information about your select career path(s), and plans to address these gaps.

Phase 3: Plan

The purpose of this phase is to:

• Confirm your “ career requirements” – the benchmarks you’ll use to assess and determine the career path(s) you want to pursue
• Create a career plan based on the knowledge and skills you need to develop to enter and progress in your preferred careers/ positions
• Acquire the knowledge and skills you need to develop to enter and progress in your preferred careers
• Confirm and test your decision regarding the specific career path(s) you want to pursue.

Phase 4: Implement

The purpose of this phase is to:

• Research companies to identify those companies that fit your new career goals.
• Define the key marketing messages you’ll use to highlight your value and make you stand out from the competition
• Assemble your Career Toolset – all the tools you’ll need to launch and manage your job search, make a career transition, and/or manage change in your career
• Sharpen your interview and communication skills and build your confidence to “wow” employers, land a job, make a career change, and achieve your career goals.

Phase 5: Achieve

The purpose of this phase is to:

• Learn how to leverage your network of contacts to find hidden opportunities, make connections, and meet people who can help you achieve your goal(s)
• Learn how to negotiate and secure your ideal opportunity, including compensation and vacation packages
• Prepare for success during your first 30-60-90 days on the new job or in your new role.

At the end of your journey through the Career Development Framework , you will have developed your career management skills, strengthened your confidence, and become more self-aware. You’ll be in a new job or role, and/or will have accomplished your career goals.

However, the journey doesn’t stop there. Whatever your role or new endeavor, you will need to continue to focus on your career to build your resilience and withstand economic and organizational changes that are certain to occur. Your challenge is to become your own personal marketing agent on the forefront of proactively managing your career.