In the past it was normal for students to declare a major related to a career; complete a prescribed set of studies; find a job in a related field; and stay in that field until they retired. One decision and that was it$!$ Today, however, it is far more common for individuals to change their majors, do several career searches and changes in a lifetime. People change their careers for a variety of reasons. For example, they did not make a wise choice initially; the career they selected no longer exists; they want to match their changing values and needs to a new set of career possibilities.Making the right plans for your future during these changing times can be difficult. Starting with the self assessment process can give you more choices and broaden your options. You then can have the confidence that you are on the right career path.A self assessment can reveal your characteristics, interests, values and skills. It will define your strengths and your weaknesses. Looking for a match between these and the work you are considering is the most important step you can take before you write a resume or begin the search for a job. In fact, when the time comes to write your resume and prepare for a job interview, you will find the task easier if you have completed the self$-$assessment process first!You are the place to start. Ask yourself: What do I do well? What am I good at$?$ What do others tell me$?$ What do I enjoy doing? What turns me on$?$ What energizes me$?$Answers to these types of questions and many others will help you identify your strengths and make decisions around the contributions you can make. Many people try to fit into jobs advertised in newspapers or other sources. The employer today has many qualified candidates from which to choose. You will be seriously considered for a position only by showing the employer that you know who you are, what you can offer and where you are going.Developing Your Accomplishments ListList experiences from your past that are positive for you. These are things that you are proud of$,$ that make you feel energized as you recall them. Include your earliest memories. They can be anything from building a house to drawing a picture or running a race. It only matters how you feel about it$.$ The standard to use in choosing items for this list is your own pride in feeling "I did that myself!" Coached my baseball team to a winning season Created an innovative new procedure and trained staff how to use it Doubled the sales volume in my product area in a two$-$year period Earned enough money to travel through Europe by holding three part$-$time jobs Helped solve an important personal problem for an employee or neighbour Initiated a program, product or procedure at my job Learned to swim and dive at age seven Organized and led weekend Girl Guide camping outings Raised $$1,000$ organizing a raffle for my children's school Remodelled and redecorated part of my house Set up and ran a summer business that earned enough profit to pay for my school tuition Successfully managed a difficult project to completion Taught myself how to create a web site by studying a how$-$to book Wrote an innovative database program to help my class manage a research projectOne aspect of career development is the art of prioritizing. Choose from your list the top five activities according to your pride in them, joy in doing them, and level of energy in recalling them. Be sure to pick things from a variety of life roles. Identify these in order of preference. Accomplishment Assignment Submission$1.$ AccomplishmentsList $10$ of your accomplishments.Describe $5$ of these accomplishments in detail. What did you accomplish? Describe why it was important to you. How did you achieve? What steps did you take to achieve?SkillsWhat skills were involved for each of your detailed $5$ accomplishments?Under each Accomplishment $-$ make a list of the $5-7$ skills you used.Review your $5-$accomplishment skills list create one list with your top $5-7$ skills. $2.$ Likes and DislikesLikes $-$ What kinds of activities both at work and play do you enjoy?Reflect on times and situations in which you feel most passionate, most energetic, most engaged $-$ what are they?Is there a common profile of these situations? What is it$?$Dislikes $-$ What kinds of activities do you avoid? Why? $3.$ Strengths and WeaknessesThink in terms of work experience, education, training, skill development, talents and abilities, technical knowledge, and personal characteristics.What are your top $5$ strengths? Provide a specific example for each strength.What are your top $5$ weaknesses? What are you doing to overcome$/$address each weakness, be specific. $4.$ Personality TraitsIdentify your $5$ strongest personality traits $($outgoing$,$ energetic, sensitive$)$How do you describe yourself?How do others describe you? $5.$ ValuesList your $5$ most strongly held values $($honesty$,$ giving back to the community, protecting the environment$)$ with an example to support. $6.$ SuccessHow do you define success? What does success mean$/$look like to you $($power$,$ wealth, control, contentment$)7.$ Hard & Soft SkillsList $5$ of your hard skills $($measurable$).$List $5$ of your soft skills. $8.$ Dream JobWhat is your dream job? Why? $9.$ SMART GoalsShort term goal $6$ months Long term goal $2$ years