Direction, purpose and career advancement

To be the architect of one’s future, professionals need to establish direction, own their purpose, and set themselves on a course for career advancement. To realise this protean career, one must engage a developmental journey grounded in professional and personal self-awareness. This unit builds self-awareness through the use of various self-assessment models and techniques for deepening one’s understanding of assumptions, values, beliefs, and purpose. Employing contributions from the use of positive psychology, growth mindset, journaling, networking and design thinking approaches such as ‘designing your career,’ the unit generates direction for development goals, aspirations and future-states. The unit also provides practical skills for investigating alternative pathways and career prototypes, such as portfolio and tapestry careers. The implications of developing a protean career are explored through reflection, planning, and practical skill development, such as presentation skills, narrative development, and use of technology to engage specific roles and sectors.