I'm referring to the career development journal, also known as a work diary. For some, career journaling is a way of figuring out a direction. This is probably why it's often used in MBA programs. As I’ve said in the past, I’m still trying to figure out a direction when it comes to my career. In fact, many young professionals graduate University with a lack of direction. This isn’t surprising. I am part of a generation who has been promised that we can do to anything. Anything…that’s a lot of options!
The career journal can benefit young professionals in many ways. It can help you keep track of your goals and record your progress; it can help you figure out what aspects of your work makes you happy and; it can give you a better understanding of your professional growth.
Need some inspiration? Career expert Dr. Randall S. Hansen lists several types of entries that are typically recorded in a career journal:
- Keeping track of your daily career-related achievements, progress
- Discovering and exploring your workplace values
- Writing a personal mission statement
- Preparing a SWOT (strengths-weakness-opportunities-threats) analysis
- Expressing your reactions to job and career success and failures
- Practicing job interview questions - and answers
- Gathering salary information; conducting salary research
Do you have a career journal? Have you ever thought of starting one?
