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Map My Future

 

Source: Based on the Career Development Institute (CDI) framework (2021)

How would you like to work on your career development today?

There are 6 key themes in Map My Future, our framework which focuses on career development through life. Have a look at the hexagons which summarise each topic. Reflect on where you are currently on your career journey and choose an area to focus on.

To learn more about Map My Future, see Ciara explain the six themes in this video explainer.

 

 

Here are some examples of activities you could engage in:

Start Where You Are

Identify and recognise how your Strengths, Skills, Personality and Experiences contribute to your career​

  • Question for Reflection No. 1.
    Can you pick out a couple of key experiences you have had in your college course or in your life outside of college where you have felt energized and inspired to do more?’
    Jot down your thoughts on a piece of paper.

    • Youtube Video on Flow
    • Strength Spotting Exercise
  • Question for Reflection No.2
    Using your imagination, can you fast forward to your retirement day and think about what you would like to be proud of. Ask yourself how you would like to feel as you reflect back on your career?
    Jot down your thoughts on a piece of paper.

    • For inspiration for these reflective questions, listen to what alumni have to say at Trinity Graduate Stories

  • Question for Reflection No.3
    Considering everything you have learnt in the recent past and everything you are learning at the moment, jot down the skills you feel you are strong at and the skills you feel you could work on. These can be soft skills like teamwork, communication, organisation and also technical skills like coding, MS Suite etc.

    • For more learning in relation to your skills in relation to your career, consider participating in our Career Skills Award

Evaluate the concept of career and identify different approaches to apply to your career​

  • Question for Reflection No.1
    ‘What does Planning your Career mean to you?’
    ‘Do you think you would like to apply a structure, planful approach, or a more opportunistic, spontaneous approach to your Career Planning?

    • Link to ‘Career Planning for a Calm Mind’ workshop
    • 1-1 Guidance Meetings with your Career Consultant
    • Short Video (from Youtube) on Design Thinking Approach to career Planning.

Reflect on the impact of your beliefs, identity and values in relation to your career ​

  • Question for Reflection No.1
    ‘How important are your values to your life? To your future Career? Jot down your key values and try and rank them in order of importance.

    • PFS suite of tools; The Values Based indicator tool
    • 1-1 Guidance Meetings with your Careers Consultant
    • Short video from www.icould.com which highlights reflections on values, identity, beliefs and career
    • Podcast Episode where speaker touches on values.

Record and reflect on your experiences, achievements and learning 

  • Question for Reflection No.1
    Have you ever written down your thoughts after a work/career experience? If you were to do that, what format would work best for you? (Emailing yourself, journaling, voice note, word doc)

    • Action Planning & Reflecting
    • And to delve into these topics more, consider booking in with your Careers Consultant for a guidance session. Book an appointment on MyCareer.
    • Chat with a Trinity graduate by requesting to join the Trinity Alumni Mentoring LinkedIn group
    • Have a look at the Silvercloud Space for Resilience online programme

 

See the Big Picture

Concerned about the climate and biodiversity crisis? Have a chat with your Careers Consultant about what impact you would like to make and how this might affect your career choices.

Balance Career & Life

Create Opportunities

Create opportunities: hexagonal shape with line drawing of two people high fiving.

Create and build on connections by participating in mentoring through Trinity Alumni Online.

Build Your Career

Resources:

Identify areas to progress and plan next steps

Identify and apply decision-making strategies

Challenge yourself to grow through trying new experiences and environments and developing new skills

  • Reflect and Develop Your Skills
    • Reflect on your skills using a skills audit tool
    • Develop your skills through the Trinity Careers Skills Award, work experience or an internship, volunteering and/or living abroad, connecting with Trinity alumni, LinkedIn Learning
  • View vacancies on MyCareer

Proactively manage changes and transitions

  • Discuss this theme further with your Careers Consultant. Book an appointment on MyCareer.

Practice self-compassion and be mindful of your wellbeing as you navigate the opportunities and challenges of building your career

Explore Possibilities

Identify and evaluate potential options for your career​

  • Question for reflection: Thinking about your first steps after your studies, what are the key activities you would like to take part in or skills you would like to use or develop in your first job?

Actively seek out and analyse careers and labour market information to support your career choices​

  • Questions for reflection: When looking at career options, which ones most interest you and why? Could there be other options worth exploring? Are there options you have previously dismissed that might be worth a second look?

Research and reflect on workplaces, workplace culture and expectations​

  • Question for reflection: What is your understanding of workplace culture? What kind of workplace culture do you think would suit you, and what kind do you think would not be beneficial to you

Learn about recruitment and selection processes

  • Question for reflection: Do you feel you have a clear sense of what employers are looking for, and how to communicate what you have to offer to employers?

 

Check out the following resources to help you explore possibilities: