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When is National Career Development Week? The week of celebrations for the 2009 National Career Development Week Campaign (NCDW) will be 18-24 May 2009, but careers events held at any time during the year can be registered as NCDW events.
What is National Career Development Week?
How do I get involved in NCDW?
There are a number of ways that you can get involved. These include:
- Attend a careers seminar or event in your local area - the Event Search section will help you to locate an event near you. But we've only just started so there may not be many events to search just yet. Come back and keep checking.
- If you are already involved in a local event, you can register it here on the website to be included in our Event Search section. (Once you have registered the event we'll send you the Event Kit containing the "How to" disc with video tips from event organisers, Fact Sheets, Templates and promotional resources to assist you in organising your event)
- Subscribe to receive the NCDW Enewsletter.
What is Career Development?
Career development is the process of managing learning, work and leisure throughout your life. It starts with you getting to know yourself and then matching your interests, aspirations and skills with options for study and work. So career development is about more than just your a job, it’s about getting a life that you love!
You can develop your skills and discover career opportunities through:
- paid work
- unpaid work experience or volunteering
- education
- caring for family members
- hobbies
- cultural activities.
Career development applies to people of all ages:
- Children learn about different jobs in society. They develop interests and abilities that may eventually influence their career paths.
- Teenagers choose subjects and courses that may lead them to their career paths. They participate in school, part-time work, family activities and hobbies.
- Adults work in the home, in paid employment and as volunteers. They may change jobs several times and experience periods of unemployment, over employment and under employment. As well as work, adults participate in formal and informal education, family activities, and hobbies.
- Retirees often have the financial and personal freedom to choose to study, start a business, travel, work part time, volunteer, enjoy hobbies or care for family members. Some retirees do all of these things!
What are the benefits?
Career development can help you achieve greater happiness and fulfilment. Research shows that people who actively manage their lives and careers generally:
- have a strong sense of purpose
- earn higher incomes
- have high levels of satisfaction due to striving for and achieving personal goals
- are well-informed, success learners
- make job and education choices that help them achieve their goals
- are less stressed, and therefore have less physical and emotional ill-health
- cope with changes such as moving between jobs, becoming a student, becoming unemployed or retiring
- are open to new opportunities.
How do I get started?
Here are some simple steps that can be undertaken on your own, with input from family or friends, or with the assistance of a professional career practitioner. However you do it, the process should be enlightening and inspirational. Remember, your aim is to achieve greater satisfaction in life and work, so take your time and enjoy learning about yourself.
1. Write a list of goals
What would you like to change in your life? Your list could include finding a more satisfying job, learning new skills, gaining a better or different education, starting your own business, or achieving a better work/life balance.
2. Write about yourself
Who are you and what is most important in your life? Think about who you really are and what may lead you to a fulfilling and successful career. List things you like and things you dislike, your strengths and weaknesses, your personal beliefs, interests and passions.
3. Learn about careers that interest you
Research a few potential careers using www.myfuture.edu.au or your local library. Ask for advice from a career practitioner or someone working in the field to learn about duties, work conditions, personal and education requirements, the current labour market and average salaries.
4. Prioritise your options
Narrow down your options by listing the positive and negative points for the careers that interest you. You might choose to talk to someone you trust about your options, but don’t let them discourage you from a career you are passionate about. If you feel confident and excited about it, you will know you have chosen the right career. .
5. Plan your career
Once you have chosen a career, start planning your pathway. This may involve paid and voluntary work, work experience, formal and informal education, and practical experience. Decide on the steps you will take towards your career goals and set realistic target dates for achieving each step. Give yourself time to develop or update your CV and/or portfolio before applying for jobs. Then you can put your plan into action!
You can use these steps again at any stage of your career. Even when you have a dream job, you may want to set some new career goals.
Where can I get more information?
Our resources page includes links to related websites and other useful information.
Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence –
is the key to unlocking our potential.
Winston Churchill
