Career Planning Workbook

Write down 10 things that matter most to you in life. Then rank them 1–10. Your top 5 are your core values. Now ask: does this career let me live those values?

List activities where you lose track of time, feel energised, and get results that impress others. These are likely your strengths — not just what you're good at, but what energises you.

Just as important as what you want — what you definitely don't want. Write a list of work conditions, tasks, and environments that would make you miserable.

Without filtering, list 30 careers you've ever found interesting — even briefly. Include wild ideas. Then mark each: (A) genuinely interested, (B) curious but unsure, (C) considered but ruled out. Focus future research on your A's and B's.

Pick 3 careers from your A list. For each, find someone who does that job (LinkedIn, family, teachers) and ask for a 20-minute call. Prepare five questions. You'll learn more in 20 minutes than in 20 hours of internet research.

For each A-list career, identify which sector it sits in (tech, healthcare, education, public sector, finance, creative, etc.). Note which sectors appear most often — they're telling you something about your direction.

For each shortlisted career, score it 1–10 on: (1) How much do I want to do this work? (2) How suited am I to it? (3) How strong is the market? (4) How aligned is it with my values? Add the scores. Discuss the results — don't just follow the numbers.

For each shortlisted career, write a short paragraph: 'It's 2030. I chose [career]. Here's what my working life looks like…' Read it aloud. If it doesn't feel right to say, it probably isn't right to do.

For each shortlisted career, research: Which degrees do employers in this field typically look for? Are there multiple degree routes to this career? Is the degree name critical, or does any relevant subject qualify? Use Certyz's degree pages for this.

For your top career choice, identify at least three different degree routes that could lead there. Compare them on: course content, placement opportunities, employer reputation, and entry requirements.

Write 5 actions you'll take in the next 90 days to progress your career research. Each action must be specific (what, when, with whom), realistic, and move you toward a decision.

Set a specific date — within 90 days — to review your progress and reassess your direction. Book it in your calendar now. Career clarity comes from action, not from thinking alone.