Page 1
SWOT Analysis
Name:
Please print clearly. Complete both Parts 1 and 2 (on the back).
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
Strengths and weaknesses are internal, referring to your personal characteristics that you can influence.
 Strengths are traits, skills, and experiences you can capitalize on and develop (e.g. talented in Math).
 Weaknesses are traits that currently work against you, but you can reduce or eliminate them (e.g. disorganized).
Opportunities and Threats are influenced by external conditions, some of which you cannot control.
 Opportunities are conditions or circumstances that work in your favor, like a strong forecast for your prospective
career’s future. (e.g. 12% projected growth by 2022, according to Occupational Outlook Handbook)
 Threats are conditions that could have adverse effects. Some of these factors are beyond your control; however,
sometimes you can successfully lessen their potential effects. (e.g. no relevant graduate programs in San Diego).
PART 1: Do a SWOT analysis of a career that interests you and that you are considering. Refer to the sample in your
GEL textbook. Carefully analyze the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats as you see them. Write at
least three points in each box below. Include specific information showing your research from information-rich, accurate sites such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), O*NET OnLine, and professional associations.
SWOT Analysis:
CAREER TITLE
Positive
STRENGTHS:
OPPORTUNITIES:
External
Internal
THREATS:
WEAKNESSES:
Negative
Constance Staley, Focus on College Success:4th Edition, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2014
(GEL 101: Career Center 08/2015)
Page 2
PART 2: Now write your conclusions on the lines below. (You may be asked to share your results in class.)
Is the career you’ve analyzed worth pursuing in your view? Why or why not? Include your reasoning based
on your SWOT analysis. Demonstrate your self-understanding and evidence of research on the career.