Career plan template

Download the career plan template right to use or adapt when writing your career plan.

A good comprehensive career plan might record relevant information from 'knowing yourself' and 'exploring possibilities' and will:

a. specify goals. Goals might include one or more of: 

• to focus on a particular sub specialty within your specialty and having workplace experiences which support that
• getting exposure to a range of sub specialties with a view to a decision later
• keeping up to date with the latest developments
• exploring options for a career in management or teaching
• addressing some gaps in your skill set
• getting exposure to new experiences within your current role e.g. working in a different unit, working in an environment where there is more team work
• accommodating your family related or other needs e.g. child rearing, care of an aging relative

b. specify an agreed (between you and your supervisor) course of action covering some or all of:

• skills you need to develop
• qualifications needed
• other learning opportunities to meet agreed goals
• possible 'stepping stone' experiences or other experiences that may be useful
• strategies for overcoming any obstacles
• networks/information/support needed to achieve goals

c. specify who will do what to implement the career plan.

d. specify how to assess the extent to which the agreed course of action has achieved the stated goals.

e. specify when and/or in what circumstances progress in implementing the plan, and the plan itself, will be reviewed.

The training plan that supports a career plan may encompass some or all of 'on the job' experiences, formal education, informal education and mentoring/coaching/support.

Various existing processes might provide a lot of the information and content you need for a career plan. Supervisory processes, professional development plans, performance reviews and other processes will all help in putting together your career plan. In fact, you might merge your career planning process into one or other of these processes.

Note:
You will probably work for more than one DHB during or after your training. So, you will need to agree to the transfer of your career plan and other relevant information between employers and others, subject to safeguards for anything you want kept confidential. You should think about this when you are preparing your career plan.