Surely there has been a repetitive questioin that buzz around our mind, whether we have already be in the right (career) path, are we keeping up to date with our technological awareness, or a more personalized concern, like: Changing jobs and do things you like or love to do, but still would not want to leave the career world. For mission’s staff, the environment we are working is already pretty much dynamic, both the things happening in mission area and the job-market in post-conflict assignment remain active and attractive.

However, I think it is also important for us, whose been thinking of maneuvering elsewhere both geographically or perhaps doing things different from our present job, therefore we would find it useful to understand: The Career Planning Process.

Know Yourself

1. Determine your skills
No one can begin to develop a simple career plan without a clear understanding of what his/her job-related skills are. That usually means doing a skills identification exercise or set of exercises.

2. Evaluate your values and preferences
Career planning must also examine an individual’s lifestyle, values and preferences and then evaluate them. All career choices have costs. For example, even if a person were most interested – or exclusively interested – in advancement, an examination of the price necessary for that advancement must be made.

3. Decide how you can obtain job satisfaction
Another universal theme is that individuals at every level need to know how to maximise day-to-day satisfaction from their jobs. Therefore, any career plan must address the need for job-related satisfaction.

Know what you have and what you want to work with.

Reality Checks

1. Assess your current performance: Any career planning program must also help the individual assess if he/she is technically proficient in his/her present job.

A. Are you ranked as a top performer (outside of the ePAS format)?
B. Do you work well with others?
C. Do you see a gap that could hamper your progress?

2. What is your reputation?

A. What is your reputation in the Organization (from above, from the side and from below)?
B. Would your manager and colleagues agree with your self-assessment?
C. What is your reputation in your occupation?

3. Whose opinion do you value?. You may want to get additional information by getting feedback from others – your (current or past) manager, a colleague, or your spouse or partner, for example. You want to get feedback/additional information to test your ideas – to see if your assessment is accurate and realistic. If you do your homework in advance, and figure out what questions you may want to ask, you will find the feedback to be much more helpful.

In choosing whom to talk to, use the following guidelines to select the person who:

1. Has observed your performance in different situations;
2. Knows you well and how you tend to react to different circumstances;
3. Has your best interests in mind;
4. Is perceptive—you value his/her opinion.

Opportunity Scans

These days, the opportunity has arisen ten folds as the UN and international organization focus more on rehabilitation program and developments of post-conflict states, so does the requirement for qualified and highly-skilled staff to support the funded programs.

Men, and especially women, their participation to peacekeeping operations has been long encouraged. The below iamge is illustration map to opportunities available in post-conflict assignment underthe umbrella of the United Nations/Department of Peacekeeping & Operations. The illustration map below, suggested that further career planning is required and points to understand that:

1. Career Planning is Personal Strategic Planning. Goals, Plans and Implementation – learn from your experience.

2. Career planning is not only about how others see you. It also involves looking for opportunities that match your qualifications and those of the Organization.

3. Career planning involves a match between what an individual wants in the future with what is likely to be available.

4. Individuals need to be clear about potential jobs as well as the required qualifications.

It is not easy to turn analysis into actual career goals. However, after working through your self-assessment and considering your current performance and potential opportunities, you are ready to start planning.

A ‘perfect plan’ is not your primary objective; you can change and adapt your goals as necessary throughout your career.

Tips on How to Create a Career Plan

1. Move from long-term goals to short-term goals: to provide direction.

2. Work from the top down: Where would you like to be before retirement? Do you have a long-term objective (10 or 20 years)? What job would give you the best chance to make use of your skills, your values and your preferences?

3. Or, work from the bottom up: If you cannot yet identify your ultimate career goal, how about two years from now? Is there a promotion for which you would like to aim? A different position you would like to pursue? Would you like to transfer to another section/department? Or, perhaps, just a switch to another unit within your current section or department?

4. Use the work you have done: You can get ideas for your career from the plans you make to improve your current performance and career satisfaction.
Knowledge, Skills and Behaviors: List the knowledge, skills and behaviors for each position/function/responsibility you would like to pursue. List what pertinent knowledge, skills and behaviors you need to acquire to qualify.

5. Brainstorm with others: Do not be afraid to talk over your hopes and plans with friends and colleagues. Come up with suggestions and make a list of ideas. What changes in family or social situations will be required to focus on these ideas?

6. Talk to someone who is already there: Do you know someone who already has the position you would like to be doing? What steps did they take to get there? You do not necessarily have to – or even can – follow the same route, but you might obtain some tips or pointers on how you might get there (this is one aspect of effective networking). Or, think geographically. Would you like to work in Mission X or Country Y? It is always helpful to have feedback from someone on the ground.

7. Network: Sharing ideas with others often leads to renewed enthusiasm as well as new sources of information about developmental opportunities or assignments.

8. Reviews and Updates: Review regularly to ensure your goals and plans are stills on target and make corrections based on life/family changes or changes in your own interests and potential opportunities.

Setting Goals
Focus on what you want to achieve and what you feasibly can achieve:

1. Learning goals – skills and knowledge you need;
2. Work assignments you want;
3. Work-Life Balance – weigh professional life vs. personal life;
4. Personal development goals.

Welcome to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, it is your world.

Last but not the least, please read the following conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat in Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland:

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“As long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”

Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898) quoted: “Take charge. You are in control. Make your career, don’t just let it go ‘somewhere’, or you will get there too. The investment in planning wisely and well, which allows you to target your limited time and energy, nearly always pays off in the end”. Good luck!.