Career Goals

How to Career Plan

Effective career planning is essential for maximizing educational experiences and achieving our ambitions. According to McNevin (2023), having a long-term career plan can significantly reduce career-related stress, enhance your sense of employability, and strengthen your connection to your true purpose. Career planning also helps us identify learning pathways that will enable us to reach our goals and remain competitive in any field. Below, I will share some tips from McNevin (2023) for creating a five-year career plan.

Brainstorm

What am I passionate about?
What would I consider as my dread job?
What background and skills do I already have?
What can I improve on? What skills do I need to develop?
What roles may I be qualified for that I've never considered pursuing?

Gather Feedback
-Ask a Mentor-

In order to grow my career, what behaviors do you think I should develop or leave behind?
If you were in my position, what areas would you focus on developing?
What's the one skill you would recommend I master to get to the next level in my career?
Is there a skill you think is going to make a difference for transitioning to my goal?

Map It Out

After brainstorming and gathering feedback, organize the information you've collected.
Outline your career goals.
List mastered skills and skills you need to develop.
Highlight which development activities will help hone your skills.
List potential barriers that hinder you from reaching your goals and create solutions to overcome them.

Iterate

Are the timelines too ambitious or aggressive?
Update skills and capabilities balance sheet.
Does the plan still align with objectives while still serving longer-term goals?
Does the career path need to change?

Source: McNevin (2023)

Short-term Goals (5 years or less)

Setting short-term goals is essential for personal and professional growth, and I have some exciting plans for the next few years. One of my key aspirations is to advance to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police in my department, a role that would allow me to make a significant impact in our community. Additionally, I plan to enhance my leadership skills by obtaining a master's degree in Organizational Leadership beginning in Fall of 2025. These goals will help me grow and empower me to lead effectively and drive positive change within my department.

Requirements for Deputy Chief of Police

Five years of increasingly responsible ✅
Three years of management experience level of Police Lieutenant, Police Captain or equivalent ✅
Possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent ✅
Posses a valid driver's license ✅
Possess an Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training Advanced Certification ✅

Long-term Goals (5+ years)

Currently, I am working on creating a map for my career planning after I retire from law enforcement. Although the pension system is generous, I recognize that I must remain in the workforce and continue to generate income to supplement my pension. Life after law enforcement is not an easy transition, and I have witnessed many veteran officers retire only to return to law enforcement due to a limited skill set. This is where career planning will help guide me and make the transition easier.

My plan is to pursue a government administrator position, such as an Assistant City Manager, where I can continue to enhance the lives of my community. In this role, I will navigate uncharted waters and expand my footprint within the community. I will work closely with my mentor and strengthen my network of professional contacts to understand better which skills I need to improve to bridge the gap between law enforcement and public administration.

To learn more about my education journey, please visit my Undergraduate Work page!

References

McNevin, M. (2023, September 27). How to develop a 5-year career plan. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2023/09/how-to-develop-a-5-year-career-plan

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