What is Career Development?

It is a lifelong process:
- It involves choosing a career, improving skills, and advancing along a chosen career
path.
- Requires continuous learning and decision-making to align with personal needs
(physical and psychological).
- Helps individuals progress toward their ideal job, skills, and lifestyle.
Involves making decisions that align personal needs with career opportunities:
- Decisions should match career advancement opportunities with one's personal and
professional needs.
- Develops occupational status over time.
- Moves individuals closer to their professional goals and aspirations.
Career development is about finding footing in professional life:
- Involves assessing current career status and creating a plan for advancement.
Distinct from career growth:
- Career development focuses on building new skills and experiences.
- Career growth refers to the broader, long-term vision and goals for one's career.
- To achieve career growth, career development through skill-building and experience
is necessary.
Why is Career development is important?
 Personal growth and fulfillment: Career development allows individuals to explore their
interests, develop their strengths, and achieve their personal goals, leading to a sense of
accomplishment and self-fulfillment.
 Skill enhancement: By continuously improving skills, individuals stay competitive in their
field, making them more valuable to employers and better prepared for future job
opportunities.
 Career advancement: Career development opens doors to promotions, higher-level
positions, and leadership roles, allowing individuals to progress along their chosen
career paths.
 Job security: As individuals enhance their skills and adapt to industry changes, they
become indispensable assets to their organizations, increasing their chances of retaining
employment.
 Facilitates financial stability: Continuous skill improvement and informed decision-
making lead to financial security.
 Adaptability to change: Career development helps individuals stay flexible and resilient
in the face of technological advancements and market shifts, ensuring long-term
employability.
  Work-life balance: Career development encourages individuals to set realistic career
goals and establish a balance between professional aspirations and personal life,
promoting overall well-being and reducing burnout.

Career Development Plan:

a) Self-assess:
 Identify interests, values, strengths, and weaknesses:
- Reflect on what you enjoy, what motivates you, and your key abilities.
- Understand your values (e.g., work-life balance, creativity) and align them with
your career aspirations.
- Recognize areas where you excel and where you need improvement to guide
your career choices.
b) Set SMART goals:
 Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
objectives:
- Set clear, actionable career goals that you can track and measure.
- Ensure your goals are realistic given your current situation, but challenging
enough to foster growth.
- Tie your goals to your personal interests and long-term career vision, with
deadlines to hold yourself accountable.
c) Research options:
 Explore career paths aligned with your interests and goals:
- Investigate industries, roles, and companies that match your strengths and
aspirations.
- Look into job market trends, growth opportunities, and educational
requirements for potential career paths.
d) Develop skills:
 Identify and acquire necessary qualifications through courses,
certifications, or training:
- Determine the key skills and qualifications needed in your chosen career.
- Enroll in relevant courses, attend workshops, or earn certifications to enhance
your professional profile.
e) Gain experience:
 Seek internships, volunteer work, or challenging projects in your
desired field:
 - Gain hands-on experience through internships or part-time roles that align with
your goals.
- Take on challenging projects at work, or engage in volunteer opportunities to
build practical skills.
f) Network and find mentors:
 Join professional associations and seek guidance from experienced
professionals:
- Attend industry events and join associations related to your field to expand your
professional network.
- Seek out mentors who can offer career advice, guidance, and support as you
advance in your career.
g) Create an action plan:
 Outline steps to achieve your goals with deadlines:
- Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps with specific
timelines.
- Develop a roadmap that outlines each step toward achieving your career
aspirations, ensuring progress.
h) Seek feedback:
 Regularly ask for input from supervisors, mentors, and peers:
- Actively request constructive feedback on your performance to identify areas for
improvement.
- Use the feedback to adjust your action plan and refine your goals as you
progress.
i) Stay motivated:
 Focus on your goals and celebrate achievements:
- Maintain a positive mindset and stay focused on your long-term career vision.
- Celebrate small successes and milestones to keep your motivation high and
reinforce your commitment to growth.
HISTORY OF VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
 Pre-1900s:
 Career choices were primarily based on family, tradition, and community influence.
 There was no formalized system for career guidance.
 1908: Frank Parsons' Contribution:
  Frank Parsons, known as the "Father of Career Guidance," founded the Vocational
Bureau of Boston.
 Developed the first systematic approach to career guidance, focusing on assessing
individual needs, aptitudes, and occupational demands.
 Parsons' Three-Step Model:
1. Self-assessment: Understanding one's skills, interests, and values.
2. Occupation knowledge: Gaining insights into job requirements.
3. Matching: Aligning personal attributes with appropriate career paths.
 Early 20th Century:
 Parsons’ model laid the foundation for modern vocational guidance and career
counseling.
 His approach spread to schools, organizations, and institutions globally.

Reasons Why People Work

 To Survive:
o Earn Income: To meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
o Financial Security: To ensure economic stability and manage expenses.
 To Support Their Families:
o Provide for Dependents: To cover the needs of family members, including
children and spouses.
o Financial Responsibility: To contribute to household expenses and improve
family quality of life.
 To Gain Status:
o Social Recognition: To achieve social status and respect in the community.
o Career Advancement: To attain higher positions and prestige within a profession
or industry.
 For Social Interactions:
o Build Relationships: To connect with colleagues, build networks, and engage in
teamwork.
 o Combat Loneliness: To interact with others and create a sense of belonging.
 To Learn Skills:
o Personal Development: To acquire new skills and knowledge that enhance
personal and professional growth.
o Career Progression: To gain expertise and qualifications that lead to career
advancement.
 To Gain a Sense of Purpose and Meaning:
o Fulfillment: To find satisfaction and meaning in contributing to a larger goal or
cause.
o Achievement: To experience a sense of accomplishment and personal
achievement through work.
GENERAL INSIGHTS:
Career development is an ongoing process of self-improvement, exploration, and decision-
making that shapes a person’s professional journey. It involves identifying personal goals,
assessing current abilities, and acquiring the skills needed to bridge gaps for growth. In today’s
competitive job market, career development is vital for maintaining competence, achieving job
satisfaction, and ensuring financial stability.
By setting goals, enhancing skills, and building networks, individuals boost job satisfaction,
resilience, and earning potential. Ultimately, career development aligns one's professional path
with long-term aspirations, leading to personal fulfillment and success.
REFERENCES:
https://www.nsls.org/what-is-career-development?
fbclid=IwY2xjawFGk1tleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbUlxh_ctmnu_Y88sbdZGBseJD2_CF_eoaaxmMcNa
FjOwTPcW0OxT8kUyw_aem_W2cj7JTgs5wkdaZm_g4PBg
Career Development: What it is, Why it's Important, and Planning Tips (betterup.com)
Lesson 1. Why people work – Employment First Florida
Career Development: What Is It? (thebalancemoney.com)

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP:

LAXA, JOSH ALECK MABBORANG NICOLE P. MACABBABAD, MARIA LYZETTE