1. Given an individual’s inability to control the economy, anticipate all technology changes
or predict events like earthquakes, market crashes or wars, careers can actually be planned
an implemented. It is possible to achieve goals within an environment of uncertainty and
pursue a career in the context of a family life. This is the exact environment that people
following their dreams are living in on a daily basis and still succeeding. I believe that the
weak and lazy are the only ones that use this as an excuse to go protest on Wall Street.
This question takes into account everything we have studied and examined throughout this
course. A great place to start is completing a Personal Plan similar to one that we have
done in class. This is a great method to outline your past career and personal experience
and future career goals. In the first section “Self Assessment” one outlines formal and
informal personal and professional aspects of life goals and past experiences.
The “Situational Analysis” is very important while in an uncertain economy. It is very
important to do your research relevant to your particular career goals. One may research
the trends of their particular age group, saturation of job function, seeing if possible job
functions within different industries, use social media such as LinkedIn to seek support
from people with current success in that particular field. Another important aspect of the
situational analysis is collecting information on the competition you are up against, their
experience and backgrounds, skill sets, affiliations, and certifications. Search tools are
useful as well gaining knowledge from career development professionals within your
university is a great option.
The most important aspect of the personal plan and being able to thrive in an unstable
economy is the networking strategy. Creating a plan for a knowledge power search is a
great way to gain visibility, prove self worth, and create value for yourself within an
industry or job function that one may want to climb the corporate ladder. They say that
word of mouth is the most effective form of advertising, therefore it is clear that one will
not just partake in one knowledge powered search and become CEO. Several of these
types of searches will allow you to gain exposure to all different types of professionals and
senior executive within a particular industry, and word gets around. Another way to
achieve goals and follow the career path desired is seeking out knowledge product that will
