planning & goal setting

Aims

Enable you to plan your career effectively for the future
Set realistic short term goals identifying where you want to be in 6 months time
Identify medium term goals of where you want to be in 12 - 18 months time
Clarify your long term career goals of where you hope to be in 5 years time

Goal Setting

Goal setting can be very effective in helping you to develop and plan your career. Breaking down your long term aspirations into shorter realistic goals will help you to manage the process effectively. You will need to think about what you want to achieve within a certain time frame, how this can be achieved and who can help. The concept of setting goals has been developed by leading psychologists who have identified the SMART model.

SMART goals are:

Specific – Your goals need to be well-defined. Try and be as precise as possible

Measurable – You need to know when you have achieved your goal

Attainable – Make sure your goals are realistic

Relevant – Consider how relevant your goal is within your overall plan

Time-Specific – Try and keep a timescale

Here are some examples of goal setting:

My short term goal (6 months)

Specific: To secure a work placement in a fashion design studio to gain relevant industry experience.

Measurable: To research opportunities to start a summer placement following the end of my second year of studies.

Attainable: Select local or London design studios where I can best utilise my skills and enhance my employability skills.

Relevant: This will be invaluable experience to add to my CV and help me gain future employment as a fashion designer or set up my own business.

Time-Specific: Research local companies, check the Careers Resource area in my College Library and Learning Centre and web resources before Easter. Speak to my tutor. Apply from March onwards.
My medium term goal ( 12-18 months)

Specific: Secure a place on a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) Post Compulsory course specialising in Design and Technology following my degree studies next year.

Measurable: To research courses this summer following my second year. Apply for PGCE courses during this forthcoming September/October for entry the following year.

Attainable: Check I have the right entry requirements including GCSE qualifications and relevant experience.

Relevant: This will be an excellent career progression following completion of my Fashion Design degree and enable me to gain the qualification I need to teach in a Further or Higher Education Colleges.

Time Specific: Contact the Careers Service as soon as possible for further information and to find out ways of also gaining invaluable work experience in a local school or college before I apply. Ask about the Student Associates Scheme.
My long term goal (5 years)

Specific: To have established my own fashion business and be working part-time as an FE Lecturer in my local college.

Measurable: To ensure I achieve a good degree in Fashion Design. To study for a one year PGCE Course post-16, specialising in Design & Technology after I have graduated. Build my fashion business up gradually.

Attainable: Find out about the support for Business Start-ups from my College Careers Adviser.

Relevant: In five years time my eldest daughter will probably be going to university so I can give more time to my business and then lecture part-time.

Time- Specific: Graduate next year. Start PGCE Post 16 next September. Aim to work full-time for at least two years initially due to family commitments and to secure a steady income.

Activities and Checklists

Download a blank goal setting plan here

Aims

Goal Setting

Activities and Checklists

Further Reading