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Career Planning

Everyone wants to be happy and successful. For a lot of us, that happiness and success might start with a good job. Whether you are looking to start a new career or entering the workforce for the first time, developing a personal career plan will help you reach your goals. Follow these steps:
  1. Self-Assessment
    What do you like to do? What are you good at doing? What is important to you? The assessments available in Iowa Choices® can help you find out! Learn which careers may fit your interest, skills, and values.
  2. Research
    Once you have identified some possible career choices, use Iowa Choices® to browse the profiles on thousands of careers to help you learn more about each job. For example, research average starting salaries, required skills and education, job outlook, and more. Get hands-on experience whenever possible through internships, volunteer work, or employment.
  3. Plan
    Once you have decided on a career, you need to set goals and create a plan to make it happen. Iowa Choices® can be used to build a career plan which will help you decide on a career, major, and choose a college.
  4. Achieve 
    Once you have a plan, it is time to begin carrying it out. Investigate the type of education or training that is required for the career you have chosen. From there, find the colleges or training programs that will be necessary to achieve the goal. Iowa Choices® offers a comprehensive college search to help you find a college or program to meet your needs and preferences.
Start your career portfolio with I Have a Plan Iowa! To learn more about Iowa Choices® or for help, contact Iowa College Aid by calling 877-272-4456.

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