What is career mapping? Deciding on a new career

Career mapping is a strategy that helps you map out your professional journey in a way that aligns with your interests, skills, values and long-term goals. Whether you're a student about to graduate or someone seeking a career change, creating a career map can provide clarity and direction.

Let’s explore the concept of career mapping, why it's important and how you can create your very own career map to guide your big decisions.

What is career mapping?

Career mapping is a structured approach to planning and visualising your professional journey. It involves identifying your career goals, understanding the skills and qualifications needed to achieve those goals, and developing a plan for reaching them.

This process is more than just choosing a job. It’s about determining a series of steps, milestones and actions that will help you build a career path that suits you professionally and personally.

Career mapping will help you get clear on the key roles, education and experience needed to reach that position. It helps you connect where you are now with where you want to be, offering a clear path to success.

A career map gives you the tools to grow both personally and professionally, so you can kick-start a new career or avoid career stagnation.

The process promotes personal growth by helping you reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, passions and values. This type of self-reflection can lead to greater job satisfaction and fulfilment, ensuring that the career path you choose aligns with who you are as a person.

By having a well-thought-out plan, you can make informed decisions about the types of jobs, internships or further studies that will help you achieve your career goals.

The benefits of career mapping include:

• A career map provides you with a sense of direction so you can understand where you need to focus your energy and resources
• Mapping out a career lets you set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals, which are essential for success
• Having a career plan will help keep you motivated
• Career mapping helps you make more informed decisions about your studies, career opportunities and even potential job offers

How to create a career map

Creating a career map involves several steps, from self-assessment to planning specific actions. It’s a good idea to write it all down on a big piece of paper so you can see your process and keep track of all your research.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a career map that works for you.

Self-assessment and goal-setting

Before you can start mapping your career, you need to understand yourself and your aspirations. Self-assessment is a vital first step because it helps you reflect on your strengths, interests and values. Ask yourself the following questions. (Tip: start broadly and gradually narrow down your answers)

• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What am I passionate about?
• What skills do I have, and what skills do I need to develop?
• What are my long-term goals?

Once you’ve assessed your strengths and weaknesses, you can set career goals that align with your passions and skill set. Setting SMART goals will give your career map a clear direction and measurable outcomes.

Identifying career paths and opportunities

The next step in career mapping is identifying potential career paths based on your self-assessment and goals. There are endless career options available, so you’ll want to research a huge range of different industries, roles and opportunities.

• What industries are growing and hiring in your area of interest?
• What positions are in demand, and what qualifications are necessary?
• Does the career path offer room for growth and advancement?
• What work environment suits you? Are you looking for flexibility or stability?

Look for opportunities that match your skills and values, and chat with people in the industry to gain insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of these roles.

Creating an action plan and timeline

After identifying a career path that you want to focus on, it’s time to break it down into actionable steps. Creating a clear timeline will help you stay focused and on track.

• What level of education do you need to start your chosen career? Will you need extra certifications or degrees?
• Are there specific skills you need to acquire or improve? How will you gain these skills? Look at online courses, and workshops or gain experience through internships.
• Do you need to gain experience in a specific role before advancing to your goal position? Create a timeline for gaining relevant experience, whether through internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs.
• Start building relationships with professionals in your field of interest. Networking will open doors for job opportunities and mentorship – remember that all our academics are active in their fields!

Tools and resources to help career mapping

To help guide you through the career mapping process, take advantage of the tools and resources that can make the job easier:

• Personality tests and skill assessments can help you identify your strengths and career preferences. Websites like Myers-Briggs can be helpful in this regard.
• Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor are excellent resources for researching job opportunities and industry trends.
• Chat with an academic, career adviser or mentor for personal tips on your map

Guide for choosing a future career

When you’re thinking about your career and career choices, several factors should influence your decision-making process. Try these five tips to help you choose a career that suits your interests and goals.

Reflect on your passions and strengths

Consider what you truly enjoy doing and where your strengths lie. A career that aligns with your passions is more likely to keep you motivated and satisfied in the long run.

Research different industries

Take time to research different industries to understand which ones are growing and which ones align with your interests. Look for opportunities that match your skills and long-term aspirations.

Evaluate job stability and growth potential

While passion is important, so is job stability. Consider industries and careers with strong growth potential and job security.

Seek feedback and mentorship

Don’t hesitate to seek advice from mentors, peers or industry professionals. Getting feedback from people with experience in your chosen field can help you avoid common mistakes and provide valuable insights.

Be open to change

Your career path may not be linear, and that’s okay! Be flexible and open to new opportunities as they arise. Adapting to change is essential for long-term career success.

Creating a career map is not just for students – it’s an ongoing process that can benefit anyone at any stage of their career. By assessing your strengths, identifying opportunities and setting clear goals, you can create a personal career roadmap that will guide you toward a successful and fulfilling career.

Whether you're just starting or looking to pivot into a new field, career mapping can help you make informed decisions and ensure that your career path aligns with your goals and values.

By continuously reviewing and adjusting your career map, you’ll be able to stay on track and achieve your long-term goals.