Career Action Plans A systematic identification of goals, alternatives, assets, and barriers to success is required before a career action plan can be implemented. The more specific a plan, the more effective it will be. Plan Characteristics Plan Elements Developing an Action Plan Plan Characteristics Plans detail past, present, and future experiences and goals. They provide a written way for you to consider where you are going and how to get there. Career action plans are responsive to the demands of any change in employment. Career plans include essential information about abilities, interests, values, experiences, and achievements, and the information is linked with competencies, skills, knowledge, and attitudes required in work or to obtain new training. Plan Elements The central elements of individualized career plans typically include: Worker roles, including competencies, interests, and abilities Learner roles, including educational experiences and achievements Individual roles, including personal values and health Family member roles, including responsibilities It is important to design the plan in a manner that enables you to think in new ways about the information you have recorded. Possible barriers to the attainment of goals should be identified. Friendship and support groups should be noted, and role models should be identified. Developing an Action Plan The final phase of this career development program gives you the opportunity to apply the concepts and skills that you have learned. Defining concerns: I have carefully reviewed my situation, and the career area I would like to improve is ... I am concerned about this situation because ... The major facts that relate to this situation are ... Seeking solutions: The elements of my situation most amenable to change are ... The elements of my situation least amenable to change are ... The forces that I see blocking the hoped-for change are ... The solutions that I see to my concerns are... The major facts that relate to my concern are ...