5-yr plans
An important tool for a career-life strategy
Dr. Mark Luttenton
Associate Dean of the Graduate School
January 23, 2016
PACES Workshop – Job Hunting in Today’s
Economy
Background
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A degree (whether first or entry-level
professional) is a starting point for a
career…
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Graduates today are a new generation of
employee…
◦ Will average a new job every 4.4 yrs
◦ Have multiple careers before retirement
◦ Have opportunities to work across disciplines
and professions
◦ How will your career & job opportunities relate?
What’s a 5-yr plan?

Start with an achievable, but challenging,
goal
◦ Can be reached in 4-5 yrs with persistence &
perseverance
◦ Is related somehow to your desired career
trajectory
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http://www.career-changeconfidence.com/career-developmentplan.html
Sample plan
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My Five Year Career Plan - Steve Stevens
Plan Period: April 2016 to April 2021
Current Position: Sales Representative
Long Term Goal: Sales Manager
Goals by Year:
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Year one: Increase sales by 3-5%
Year two: Increase sales by 5% or more
Year three: Become the companies top salesman
Year four: Maintain sales title and show
consistency
◦ Year five: Become Sales Manager
Draft goals and actions…

You should also draft goals and a plan to boost
your personal development. For example:
◦ 1. Improve my sales skills
 Step 1: Increase product knowledge by reading product
material 3 nights a week
 Step 2: Improve customer relations by taking social skills
workshops and improving my public speaking skills
 Step 3: Become a more accomplished salesperson
◦ 2. Improve my relationship with Higher Ups
 Step 1: Display a positive work ethic and good morale when
asked to do tasks
 Step 2: Develop and share strategies to reduce issues in the
office
 Step 3: Develop better rapport with boss through
conversation
5 steps to follow…
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Step 1 - Know where you are
◦ What drives you?
◦ What has influenced your career choices?
◦ How did you get to your current track?
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Educational & professional qualifications
Work skills
Work experience
Interests
Hobbies
5 steps
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Step 2 – Know where you want to be
◦ What’s your career destination?
◦ Where do you see yourself in 1 year, 5 years,
10 years?
◦ If you had the resources, time and
connections to find your dream career, what
would you be?
◦ How have your qualifications, experience,
skills and values served you at work?
◦ If you weren’t hindered by yourself or your
situation, who would you be?
5 Steps
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Step 3 – Know what it will take to get
there (aka ‘reality testing’)
◦ Are you prepared to make changes and
sacrifices if you have to?
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Step 4 – Put it in print
◦ Set out the ‘big picture’ and all the detailed inbetween action steps
◦ If it seems too big, chunk it down
◦ Monitor outcomes of your actions
 ‘Smart’ goal setting
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Step 5 – Remember Nike’s ad slogan…
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Yoda had it right…”Do, there is no try”
◦ There is no substitute for doing
Final tips
If achieving goals on your own is tough,
consider using a career coach or advisor
 Career development is an organic,
growing process
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Not very linear
Involves false starts and dead ends
Needs attention, nurturing and time to grow
Can be a rewarding journey, whether or not
you arrive at your destination