There are many definitions for the word "career" but I particularly like this one because I think it says it all: a career is the sum total of your life experiences including education, paid and unpaid work, and community, volunteer and family activities. In other words, it is everything that encompasses the total person.

I also like to view career planning as the continuing process of making choices and periodically reassessing these choices. Too often only a narrow set of facets of one's life are considered in making huge life decisions and other extremely important things - such as one's core values - end up being ignored.

When thinking about careers, you must be looking at all areas of your life as well as constantly gathering information in order to make an informed decision about what you want to pursue as an occupation. The two large areas in which information must be collected include understanding yourself (interests, values, strengths) and understanding the world of work (job market outlook, salaries, job responsibilities, geographic areas).

To gain this understanding is a process. A career transition, whether selecting a first-time occupation or going through a life transition that warrants an occupational change, is just that� a process. The person undertaking this change, whether it is through career counseling, career development or planning, assessment or coaching, needs to understand that there are no magic wands that can instantly tell you what path to take. Instead, there are strategies and processes than can help you find what can be meaningful, satisfying, rewarding, profitable, or any number of things that help you find the right fit.

I liken this process to gathering the pieces of a puzzle and helping you figure out how to assemble them together into a nicely completed picture.

At Career Achievers we look at you as a whole person and help you to identify, explore and reach your individual goals. We offer a range of services and strive to provide the right resources for navigating your career pathway.