The Career Planning Process is a life-long process students will use to identify their career strengths, interests, and values, explore careers that related to their results, learn how to research career information in more detail, and begin making short and long-term career goals.
Step 1: Self-Knowledge
There is no assessment that will tell you “what to do” or “what to be.” Assessments are a tool students can use to learn more about themselves and their interests, preferences, skills. Results of the assessments are different for each student, since the results based on their individual strengths, goals, and interests. Students can use the results of their assessments to match with different career pathways.
At Bunker Hill, students can use both Career Coach and MassHire 360 to complete self-assessments. Students should attend Career Advising 101- Career Exploration to learn how to use Career Coach and take the 60-question assessment.
Students should consider the questions below when taking assessments:
Pre-Assessment Questions:
- What are my personal values and skills?
- What are my interests?
- What are my strengths or areas I need to develop?
- What motivates me?
- What kind of lifestyle do I want?
Post-Assessment Questions:
- What career fields/occupations from my results match my preferences?
- How does this career/major reflect my interests?
- Why is working in this field important to me?
- Why would I want to work in this career field?
- Are my values consistent with my career goals?
How to Access Career Coach
How to Take the Career Coach Assessment
Step 2: Exploration
Students can use BHCC Pathways and Programs of Study well as their assessment results to start the exploration process. As students work to find the right fit for their goals, interests, and strengths, using tools like Career Coach introduces students to different employment data and helps them begin to narrow down their options for programs and careers.
Students should attend Career Advising 101- Career Exploration so they can learn how to use Career Coach as a tool to help them during this process and find answers to some of the exploration questions below.
- How can I work towards this major/career at Bunker Hill Community College?
- Will I need to transfer to another school to continue my education/training?
- What level of education (degree, certification, license) is required for this career?
- How can I learn more about the requirements for this career?
- What type of jobs would be available for me with this major/career?
- What are the skills necessary for this career?
How to Use Career Coach
Finding Careers on Career Coach
Browsing Programs on Career Coach
Step 3: Research
Once a student has completed self-assessments and done some exploration to find a few career pathways they are interested in, the next step is in-depth research. This will help students make informed decisions and better prepare themselves for the world of work. In this step, students should combine what they’ve learned about themselves with the results of their research to be confident in their choice of program and career path.
At BHCC students can use resources like MassHire 360 to access to informational interviews, occupational videos, and expected job openings in MA as well as other states. Students should meet with their advisors and attend group sessions to learn more about MassHire 360 and how to use it to answer the questions below.
- Who can I talk to in order to learn more about this career?
- Meet with your assigned advisor or schedule a meeting with a Career Advisor.
- How can I gain experience relevant to my future career?
- What is the career outlook for this major/career?
How to Login to MassHire 360
What’s a Career Cluster on MassHire 360
Browsing Careers on MassHire 360
Researching Careers on MassHire 360
Exploring Programs of Study on MassHire 360
Step 4: Planning
Students should now use the information they gathered and work with advisors to create a short and long-term plan for next steps. They work with their assigned advisor or a Career Advisor to review their degree and get support planning out their classes for graduation. If a bachelor’s degree is required for students to achieve their career goals students should attend a Transfer 101 Workshop before meeting with their advisor. Students will work with Internships & Career Development to create a resume and sign up for Handshake where they can find internship and job opportunities.