Personal Career Development Plan

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Essay 2: Prepare a personal career development plan

Abstract

In this essay my medium to long term career objectives are identified as completing a PhD and working towards chartership in a large occupational psychology consultancy.  The background to these aims is outlined.  I consider my aptitude for such goals in relation to frameworks including the Myers Briggs Type Inventory, Schein’s Career Anchors and Holland’s Vocational Types.  The usefulness of these kinds of measures is briefly examined.  Finally, some potential pitfalls are identified and contingencies are discussed.

Career Objectives

My long term career objective is to become a chartered occupational psychologist working within a respected consultancy.  Prior to this, I aim to complete a PhD in a related field.  At present, I am particularly interested in employee motivation and envisage completion of extensive research in this area should be an advantage when applying to a consultancy for employment.  Although a PhD is not an essential requirement to becoming a consultant it has been a long-held ambition of mine and one which I am hoping to achieve before entering the workforce.  I believe that by gaining a broader knowledge and understanding of research my employability will increase as I will be able to offer a better command of methods that are often used in consultancy.


I would prefer to work within a large national or international company that demands high standards from its employees.  I enjoy working under pressure, finding that this increases my motivation.  The attraction to a bigger company is the stability it could offer.   One of the main reasons for choosing occupational psychology as a career path is the pre-determined and regular working hours.  I have previously been employed in offices and value the structure given by a regular working day, both in terms of work and home-time.  Although my career is a very significant aspect of my life I also rate highly the importance of family and leisure.  In this respect Lifestyle and Security/Stability are the two of Schein’s Career Anchors which best apply to me (Schein, 1990).  Probably why I feel that job security is of such significance.  The opportunity to earn a good salary would also be desirable as I will wish to make a significant contribution to the family income.   This should be achievable within the average pay-scale of consultants.  

I would be very open to relocating for employment early in my career, but once established will probably be less likely to do so.  Hence, a company in the south of England would be my ideal employer because this appears to be where the majority of UK consultancies are located.  

My employer would need to provide ample opportunity for promotion.  I will be seeking a good manager who would recognize my expertise and dedication and actively encourage me to do well and continually improve.

The flexibility of self-employment is attractive; however, I do not feel this to be an option early in my career plan.  I work best towards specific goals and to deadlines set by others.  The experience gained from working alongside others will increase my knowledge and leadership skills.  These benefits should later enable me to consider self-employment if it becomes more appropriate to my lifestyle.

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It is my belief that I will have a lot to offer a consultancy.  Through past employment I have discovered that I am a fast and accurate worker. It would be my major objective to find ways to increase the efficiency of any organisation that employs me.  In the current economic climate increasing organizational efficacy on a national level is of great importance to the productivity of companies.  This is an area to which I could contribute through working in this sector.

To summarise, my main career objectives are to complete a PhD with a view to working ...

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