Strategic Career Plan: Goals in Medical and Environmental Science

This assignment presents a comprehensive strategic career plan developed by a student, focusing on the medical and environmental science fields. The plan outlines the student's vision, which involves achieving recognition and making a positive impact in the field, and it details the steps and timeline needed to achieve this vision, including undergraduate and postgraduate activities. The assignment discusses the pros and cons of achieving career goals, emphasizing the benefits of self-worth, open-mindedness, and motivation, while also addressing potential challenges such as narrow focus and unrealistic goals. The student reflects on the exercise, highlighting the benefits of gaining clarity on career goals, understanding various options, and identifying areas for future growth and research. The plan incorporates references to relevant literature and emphasizes the importance of self-fulfillment and contribution to the field.

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STRATEGIC PLAN
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course Name
Institution
City
Date

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PART 1
Every individual in life has a significant aspiration in life and a goal which they hope to
achieve in future. Long-term career plans are essential, as they highlight individuals' dreams,
which are to be achieved (Wang & Xiang, 2008). The use of solid career plans is, therefore,
necessary, considering that they help enhance objectivity, maintain focus, and are much more
manageable. The future is always uncertain, hence having a strategic career plan is extremely
important, and beneficial, as it helps serve as a roadmap through which one can get wherever
they want to go. The most important aspect of career plans is attributed to the fact that it helps
foster individual growth (Zeynirand et al. 2014). Having realistic plans helps personal growth
and development. Individuals are bound to stay focused and refrain from straying which in turn
makes them a valuable commodity in the business world (Arrington, 2016). Through planning
for the future, this is an effective way of ensuring that motivation is never lost along the way
(Hughes, 2011).
Accountability is also achieved through career plans, and true potential is maximized in
the process. All these benefits apply to graduates, considering the fresh start needed in corporate
sectors, and the need to remain focused throughout their career journey (Jackson, 2010). At the
same time, professional identity and career self-management are achieved through remaining
focused and knowing the direction to take (Lent, 2011). Career planning needs to be considered
as it helps to realize the need to have different alternatives in life. Nobody wants to work forever.
Having a realistic career plan, therefore, helps one to have a long-term view of life (McNerney,
2007). It helps individuals determine the steps which are needed, to enter retirement without

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difficulty. Graduates, therefore, need not take career plans for granted, as they are a source of
future success, determination and help maintain focus in the professional life.
PART 2
Vision
My vision is to get recognized among the successful people, who have achieved their
dreams, and left a positive impact in the lives of others. In my medical science and
environmental science path, I will have to work twice as hard, to receive such recognition.
However, I am willing to do whatever it takes, especially professionally and intellectually to get
to that point. I approach life with a very positive attitude and high level of enthusiasm, which
helps me believe in myself. I also know that the theoretical knowledge I got from my studies will
be of help and prepare me to follow a good and successful path. The medical science and
environmental science field have given me a chance to make a lot of discoveries and knowing
what I want in life.
My vision is to be part of bringing change into the medical science and environmental
science field, which will help the majority of people. A lot of challenges are faced in this field,
especially with every individual focusing on accessing medical science and environmental
science services which are generally scarce. In the future, my vision is to be in a managerial
position in the medical science and environmental science path, to help lead change, and steer
younger graduates and professionals towards success. I have interests in working with families,
young people, sick populations and any practice around medical science and environmental
science service, which will, in turn, help boost the well-being of different populations. Therefore,
I intend to do my best to perform in the position I am held accountable for in any capacity.
Timeline and steps to get there

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Undergraduate
Take part in medical science and environmental science club memberships
Meet my career coordinator and begin the development of my career plan
Attend career fairs and medical science and environmental science company presentations
Draft resume and application letters for my areas of interest in medical science and
environmental science
Refine my cover letter and resume
Draft a reference sheet, as well as obtain recommendation letters
Organize meetings with my career coordinator and adjust my pan
Attend more career fairs and recruitment programs, as well as attend interviews
Consider internship opportunities and application time frame
Take part in networking as much as possible
Complete internships during summer programs
Post graduate
Attend career fairs and recruitment programs off campus
Develop strong leadership and professional skills through club activities in medical science and
environmental science initiatives.
Update my resume, references and continue to gather recommendations letters.
Join a professional body in medical science and environmental science field.
Meet with my career coordinator to adjust the plan.
Continue attending career fairs and recruitment programs away from campus organized activities
Establish a relevant timeline for interviews and job searching
Expand my connections through networking

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Research potential employers in the medical science and environmental science field
Meet with my career advisor to discuss long term and short term goals
Pros to achieving
Achieving the career goals and objectives set is very advantageous in the lives of most
individuals. For example, achievement of goals helps one acquire a sense of belonging coupled
with self-worth, and a belief in one’s capabilities (Phifer, 2009). The medical science and
environmental science field, for example, requires a lot of competence and efficiency, which
helps achieve success in the long run. There is a need to, therefore, focus on the bigger picture,
and remain open-minded. Achieving career plans also facilitate the aspect of being open-minded.
Through the achievements made, it becomes easier to accomplish more difficult tasks (Rae &
Ruth, 2013). Challenges become easier to conquer, and derailleurs are quickly eliminated. Career
goals have to be set at an early point in life, to avoid confusion. This also helps individuals to fit
in job categories for which they are passionate about (Rausch & Witheridge, 2012). In my case,
the medical science and environmental science field have always been my focus, as this is where
my passion and self-fulfillment dwells. Finally, achieving career goals is a source of motivation
for others, looking into following the same path.
Cons to achieving
Career goal setting is critical in ensuring that individuals get to remain on track,
especially when it comes to meeting deadlines. Goals in this case, however, focus on specific
individuals and might be too narrow (Shich et al. 2010). This, in turn, may lead to overlooking of
other essential features, which may also be strengths of individuals. For example, in the medical
science and environmental science field, I may have a specific skill, but only remain limited by
the narrowed down goals and objectives which I may have set in my career plan (Tokay, 2015).

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Another disadvantage has to do with the challenging goals, which may end up making
individuals give up. When goals are set unrealistically, it becomes completely impossible to
achieve the same, which leads individuals to give up. Another challenge is the shift in attitudes
towards risk-taking. Risks need to be taken in every field, as well as the medical science and
environmental science field to achieve success in the long run.
A lot still needs to be done as well, regarding the psychological costs which could also be
demotivating. There is a need for every individual to step up, and to ensure that the goals and
targets they set are achieved (Untary et al. 2015). The lack of achievement translates to failure in
most cases, which leads to depression. Finally, a common detriment is based on the aspect that
career planning and goal setting is more effective when it comes to the results part of the job,
rather than the behavioral aspect of an individual. Individuals tend to put their mind to the
achievement of career plans and goals, rather than focusing on remaining objective rather than
subjective in most cases. Therefore, there is a need to understand the best ways through which
career plans can be implemented and avoid long-term inefficiencies in the process of plan
execution in the long term.
PART 3
This exercise has helped me a lot, especially in consideration to my personal career goals
and direction in life. Generally, I am now, more than before, more focused on what I want the
most, and what I should do to achieve growth in my career, as well as personal fulfillment in the
long run. My focus is on medical science and environmental science professional growth and
development, which I aim at advancing my knowledge and becoming one of the best in my field.
I understand that the path is completely challenging, but I believe that the difficulties are there to
make me grow stronger, and realize what is more important. I am now able to choose between

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what to prioritize and what to achieve at a later date. For example, completion of my research
projects in my field is of importance as compared to visiting different places related to the same.
This exercise has a lot of benefits and potentials to me, and other graduates as well.
Having an open mind is one of the advantages of the exercise, which cannot be ignored. For
example, initially, I was not aware of the magnitude of subjects and career options which were
present in medical science & environmental science. After going through this exercise, I have
managed to dig out a lot of potential and helpful information, both for those already in this field
and those aiming at being part of the medical science & environmental science career groups.
The limitation is that very limited research has been done on career growth in the field, which
makes it slightly difficult to access past information and materials which can help in the
information search process. My medical science & environmental science career strategy is
focused on self-fulfillment and growth, which will also help me to be an asset to the relevant
organization I work for in the future.

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List of References
Arrington, K., 2010. Middle grades career planning programs. Journal of Career Development,
27(2), pp.103-109.
Bridgstock, Ruth. 2009. The graduate attributes we’ve overlooked: Enhancing graduate
employability through career management skills." Higher Education Research & Development
28.1: 31-44.
Hughes, R., 2011. The Scientist as Consultant-building new careeer opportunities. Addiction
Biology, 4(4), p.457.
Jackson, Denise. 2010. Developing pre-professional identity in undergraduates through work-
integrated learning.Higher Education (2016): 1-21.
Lent, R.W., 2011. Vocational psychology and career counseling: Inventing the future. Journal of
Vocational Behavior, 59(2), pp.213-225.
McNerney, W.J., 2007. Voluntary health insurance. Current History (pre-1986), 73(000428),
p.9.
Phifer, P., 2009. College Majors & Careers: A Resource Guide for Effective Life Planning.
Infobase Publishing.
Rae, David, and Naomi Ruth Woodier-Harris. 2013. How does enterprise and entrepreneurship
education influence postgraduate students’ career intentions in the New Era economy?.
Education+ Training 55.8/9 (2013): 926-948.
Rausch, E. and Witheridge, R., 2012. Career Planning/Management-Renewal of a Traditional
Approach (A Course with Heavy Reliance on the Internet). Association on Employment
Practices and Principles, p.33.

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Shih, S.F., Brown, C., Trusty, J., Ng, K.M. and Ray, D., 2010. A well-conceived field trip to a
hospital serves several important purposes for elementary school students:(1) it acquaints
students with local places of employment while demonstrating the essentiality of work and the
need for employees to work together to provide valuable community services, and (2) it helps to
reduce the level of anxiety children generally associate with their own hospitalization... Journal
of Career Development, 27(1), pp.65-72.
Tokay, O., 2015. Career Management and Planning. Российский академический журнал,
32(2), pp.136-140.
Untaru, E.N., Ispas, A. and Candrea, A.N., 2015. An overview of environmental education
initiatives in the international and Romanian tourism. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of
Brasov. Economic Sciences. Series V, 8(1), p.107.
Wang, Y.G. and Xiang, L., 2008. Considerations on the Career Planning of the Students in
Higher Technical Colleges [J]. Journal of Jiangsu Teachers University of Technology, 12, p.015.
Zeynivand, Y., Hashemi, S., Aghdam, S.R. and Ahmadi, E., 2014. The Effect of School Social
Environment on Research Interest and Quality of Life in School on Tabriz Third Year High
School Students. Journal of Political & Social Sciences. Vol, 1(1), pp.6-13.