What Is A Career Path?

A career path is the development of skillsets needed for your dream job. These skillsets can be developed through volunteer opportunities, activities, coursework, and internships. There is no “right way” to reach your goals. There is only your way.

Start by answering the what, why, where and how questions:

What would you like to do? What specific area would you like to explore? You can choose almost any major to fulfill the desire to help people. Allow your path to explore endless possibilities and uncover your interests.

Why. Why do you want to do what you want to do? Defining the “why” will help keep you on your path. Understanding the “why” will keep you going even when the path becomes challenging.

Where? Defining the “where” is a time where you take inventory of your current self and define your future self. List all the skills you will need for your future career, then compare that list with your current strengths or the skillsets you have already developed.

Think of it like solving a puzzle. The puzzle pieces are your current mastered skillsets. You are now trying to uncover the skillsets you have not yet mastered. These areas are the gaps between where you are now, and where you need to be.

By uncovering these gaps, you identify the areas you need to focus on, thus creating an intentional path forward towards your future career.

How? Make every moment connect. For each step you take, you are developing and strengthening the skills you need for your future job. What courses can you take to help you on your path?

Challenge your comfort zone to close any gaps in your skills.

You will start your career path while a student at Spalding University. But your career path will continue as you build toward your dream job. Get started by making an appointment at the Career Design Center by emailing Deborah Whistler at dwhistler@spalding.edu or at careers@spalding.edu.