Importance of career development to students

It is important to come up with your career planning as it gives you the much needed direction and makes it clear there where you see yourself in future. It makes you aware of your strength and weaknesses and the skills and knowledge that are required to achieve your goals in future.

A large proportion of our life is spent in achieving our career goals, thus it is very important to make sure that right steps were taken and correct planning was done in the early years of your life. There are very few lucky ones who are born with a clear mind and who knows what they want to do and where they see themselves in life ahead. But majority of us are not sure what we want from life and so it in very important to plan out things. Thus career planning is what gives your career and in some way your life, true meaning and purpose.

The importance of career development tends to vary by individual, but for many people, a successful career is, among other things, a significant contributor to personal happiness and financial security. When a person takes the time to set career goals and a plan for meeting them, she will often find that her job responsibilities and compensation progress steadily. When workers ignore their career development, they may find themselves stuck in dead-end jobs that are at best unfulfilling. In such cases, other areas of a worker's life may suffer.

For many young people, getting their first real job is a significant achievement. Yet they do not typically have a goal of simply remaining in the position for which they are hired forever. Instead, the young person may aspire to advancing within his current company or field. In some cases, he may also plan to use his current job as a stepping stone into a new career or occupation. The importance of career development for new workers is to make them aware of the opportunities open to them and how they can best achieve their work goals.

By ignoring career development, a person may end up working in a dead end job, such as a file clerk.

In the case of those who have been in the work force for a while or those who have left the work force for a period of time, the importance of career development may be a bit different. Job skills and even entire occupations can become obsolete. Even a worker who does not aspire to upper management or owning his own business can benefit from career counseling and vocational planning. By doing this, he can be aware of industry trends that may compromise the security of his job and take steps to sharpen his current skills or acquire training in other areas so as to secure his future employment. For those who have been out of the work force, assistance may be available through social service agencies as well as public employment services.

Employees who exhibit career growth may be promoted.

Many employers also place a great deal of emphasis on the importance of career development. These employers typically want their employees to succeed and progress in their employment and may provide services to employees who wish to remain with the company while also advancing in their field. These services may be provided through the human resources department, and those employees who demonstrate a strong interest in developing their career options may be more likely to be considered for promotion within the company as well as choice job assignments.

Some ways you can help your student with Career Development

One of the most important things that you can do as a parent or family member is to listen to your student. Be open to new ideas and try to help them find information. It is also important to be non-judgmental. Remember, this is a time for your student to fulfill their dreams, not your dreams.

Be a networking resource. Help your student develop contacts for information and advice for career planning and internship possibilities. Refer your student to colleagues, friends, neighbors, family and community members that have experiences related to your students interests. Encourage your students to make connections with faculty members.

Be an advocate. Encourage your student to use the services available to them through the Office of Career Development and Experiential Learning Services. No matter what their year in college, we can assist them.

Encourage your student to visit the office early in their college career. The office will assist your student in narrowing down career choices through interest assessments, library resources, and informational interviews. The office is also able to assist with interviewing skills, resume and cover letter development, as well as with internships and job search strategies. When you refer them to the Office of Career Development, you’re starting them down a path toward future success.

Talk about the personal qualities that you see as their strengths and talents. By reassuring them that they have what it takes to succeed, they will feel more confident in the decision that they have made.

Persuade your student to get involved on campus. A great way to gain interpersonal skills is to become a leader in a campus organization or leadership role. Employers value the experiences that students gain through campus involvement. Being involved on campus also helps your student develop a sense of balance in life.

Emphasize the importance of getting valuable experience. One way to be competitive in today’s job market is to get experience in a chosen career field. A great way to do this is to participate in internships, co-ops, and volunteer experience. Employers view this as a time for students to “get their feet wet” and see what life is like in the world of work. Many times, students will also make connections that will benefit them in the future.

Support the Office of Career Development. Show that you value the experiences that the office offers by listing summer, part-time, and full-time job opportunities with us. The office will assist you in finding a hard-working student. If your company offers internships, have your internships listed with the Office of Career Development.

What is the importance of career development?

What is career development learning and why is it important in your own future?

What is a career development student?