Section 1: Making Career Connections

Lesson 2: Personal Inventory



When thinking about a career, you have to consider many things. One of the most important considerations is whether or not a specific career is actually suitable for you. You must consider your likes, dislikes, interests, skills, strengths and weaknesses, as well as your personality type.

The results of your personal considerations regarding these characteristics is generally referred to as your personal inventory for the purpose of career decision making.
Career counselors will tell you that such deliberations are of utmost importance.
After all, you will spend a very large part of your working life in your chosen occupation.
Whether or not you feel content and successful in all aspects of life will depend greatly on how you feel about your work.


                              

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     Three Basic Steps in Choosing Your Career

 
Clarify your interests, values, and beliefs. Your chosen occupation must fit these; otherwise, your life at work will not be a happy one.


There are tests available from any career counselor to help you with this. However, most young people are well aware of their likes, interests, and personality type, by the time they reach career-planning age. You will have a chance to clarify your values, beliefs, interests, etc. in the final assignment of this course.


Assess not only your present skills and knowledge, but also the skills and knowledge that you will have to acquire to be successful in your chosen occupation.


For this step, you generally have to do some research. You will have to establish what skills and education are required for your chosen occupation.
For this, the services of a career counselor can be very helpful. Consider using the Alberta Career Information Hotline (1-800-661-3753, 8:15 AM to 4:30 pm), which is designed to provide information on career planning and educational information. You can also use the ALIS website at: https://alis.alberta.ca/

Consider also the Alberta Green Certificate Program for specific hands-on training in a variety of plant-related specialties. For information on this, click here.

                                                                      


Evaluate your present strengths and weaknesses, and determine what you need to start out in your chosen occupation.
Consider the start-up costs, especially education costs, and/or the start-up investments required to work in your chosen career.

 

 
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