Career development is a lifelong process in which we become aware of, interested in, knowledgeable about, and skilled in a career. In this Discussion Board, you are asked to share information about your current work life and what your career goal is upon earning your degree.

After reviewing the Career Development Stages Table, which stage of career development do you feel you are in currently?

• Provide the two descriptions you most identify with from your career development stage.
• What challenges are you facing now in your career development?
• Where are you headed next in your career development path?

Description This is a time in the early years when you begin to have a sense of the future. You begin to realize that your participation in the world is related to being able to do certain tasks and accomplish certain goals. In this stage, you find that you have specific interests and aptitudes. You are aware of your inclinations to perform and learn about some subjects more than others. You may try out jobs in your community or at your school. You may begin to explore a specific career. At this stage, you have some detailed "data points" about careers, which will guide you in certain directions. At this point, you are selecting or entering a field you consider suitable, and you are exploring job opportunities that will be stable. You are also looking for upward growth, so you may be thinking about an advanced degree. In this stage, you may be in an upward pattern of learning new skills and staying engaged. But you might also be merely "coasting and cruising" or even feeling stagnant. You may be taking stock of what you've accomplished and where you still want to go. At this stage, you are likely transitioning. Our technologically advanced world can be just the beginning of a new career or pursuit-a time when you can reinvent yourself. There are many new interests to pursue, including teaching others what you've learned, volunteering, starting online businesses, consulting, and so on. Stage Growing Exploring Establishing Maintaining Reinventing