Career Goals
You need to know where you're going if you want to get there! Setting goals is a way to establish and identify your destination. But to make sure you reach your destination, you'll need a good road map.
First, make sure the goals you set are really what you want to accomplish (don't set certain goals just because you "should" aim for it, or because you think it sounds good to be pursuing that particular goal). If you're going to be motivated to actually achieve your set goals, they need to be consistent with your values (i.e., I want to graduate with a bachelor's degree and become an accountant not because it's what my best friend is doing or because Uncle Joe said I should follow in his footsteps, but because I love analysis and details, am really good with numbers, and am attracted to the salary and promotion structure of the industry).
Additionally, set your goals thoughtfully to ensure that they don't contradict each other. For example, if you set a goal to finish your degree in four years, but also set goals to study abroad, do four internships, and double major - you're likely to sabotage yourself.
Definitely write your goals down, in detail, and review them regularly. If you're focusing on concrete goals you can visualize, you'll be more likely to accomplish them. And make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based). For example, look at the difference between the following two goals: "I want to go to college and get good grades" - vs. - "In four years, I will graduate with a B.S. in biology from UMBC with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4". This later goal is a SMART goal.
To make your goals even more attainable, develop a roadmap - detail what you'll do - how, when, where and why -- along the way to assure you stay on track and make progress. It's a good idea to break the roadmap down into manageable pieces (i.e., what you'll do today, this week, this month, this semester, and this year to move you along). When your overarching goal seems overwhelming, focusing on the smaller, more immediate and doable components can help.
Finally, think about your goals each day and with every decision (not just the big ones) by asking yourself if that action will take you closer to, or further from, your set goal. And don't forget to stop into the Career Services Center on your road trip to the future; we're a vital pit stop on your journey to reaching your goals!
