The EPL approach to career development is based on a self-directed coaching model. You can always engage a career coach to help you with career decisions or to help you manage your career challenges later on. However, in a dynamic workplace of the future, you are much better off taking charge of your own career. It is best to prepare now while you are still a student at NTU. You will need some self-help tools (see below).
Tools for Self-Directed Coaching
There are 4 tools for self-directed coaching that we encourage you to use when you embark on this journey. They are career vision, career strategy, career development plan and career development goal-setting.
Check this websites for tools that support self-directed coaching:
Career Vision
- A career vision is a desired picture of your career and work life. It includes a statement of your values that guide you in your career decisions.
- When envisioning your career, you can use your EPL motivational profile as one source of input. Your vision statement must include why you want to be what you want to be. You might also wish to do a values clarification exercise (see a Values Checklist)
- A career vision helps you chart out your career journey to make it more meaningful and purposeful.
- Your career vision must be supported with a career strategy, a career development plan, and specific learning goals. Click here for a sample format.
- The CAS feedback is a good starting point for your career vision and career development plan.
Career Strategy
- A career strategy is about how you make the best use of your strengths (your EPL efficacies) to secure the next move in line with your career vision.
- Your strategy helps you to bridge the gap between your career vision and your current position.
- When strategizing your career, review your EPL efficacy profile and find out which of your current strengths you can leverage on. Your strategy helps you to bridge the gap between your career vision and your current position.
- Have at least 2 strategies so that when one fails, you can fall back on the other. Always have a comprehensive back-up plan.
Career Development Plan
- Have a clear plan aligned to your career vision.
- A career development plan is about what you need to accomplish in terms of your learning and development so that you can look forward to the next career move.
- What are some EPL efficacies that you need to enhance?
- What are the specific skills you need to learn?
- Do you need to acquire more broad skills or do you need to deepen your professional knowledge and capabilities?
Career Goals
- A career development goal is based on your career plan and it involves a timeline for accomplishing both your learning and development before your next career move. You can do this goal-setting annually or 2 years in advance. Use the SMART technique:
- Specific: What are your specific goals?
- Measurable: How will you measure them? Course attendance, certifications for levels of competence?
- Action-oriented: When do you need to apply & register for the courses/training? Can you find the time?
- Realistic: Are you taking on too much? Can some courses be delayed?
- Timelines: When must you complete the course/training?
- With EPL career development, self-coaching is encouraged. However, you may be assigned to a mentor within your profession or you can engage a career coach if you think you will need professional help.
- Mentoring is a long-term commitment to help a person grow and develop throughout his/her career.
- Coaching is focused on helping a person perform better. Career coaches help individuals clarify their career vision and goals, and help individuals plan their careers.