Setting Goals

Planning for Success

Goals Open-ended May include a

completion date Should address

both your dreams and your potential

May be implicit or explicit

You didn’t just become

A driver: You watched someone else drive You studied the rule book You practiced driving You took a test to prove

you knew your stuff

Your implicit goal: get your license

“I want to be an engineer” Implicit goal - you’re here! Why?

Money Prestige Accomplishment Life-long career

Make an implicit goal explicit by describing what will happen...

GOALS

Goals should describe in general terms the way you’d like to see things happen.

“Someday I will fly in a plane that I helped design!”

Objectives Short-term plans to accomplish

steps toward your goal SMART!

Specific Measurable Ambitious Realistic Time-specific

Objectives

By August, 2008, I will have a job with Cessna, designing corporate jets.

Strategies Methods to forward

your ambitions - How will you reach your goals?

Based on Research Who does Cessna hire?

What schools? GPA important? Other skills needed?

StrategiesBased on research, you find:

Cessna often hires Aero Eng grads from the U of Mn

They interview a limited pool Based on GPA Last year, you needed a 3.3 GPA

They value: Communications skills Teamwork Work experience

The Next Steps...To Get the Degree

Maintain GPA Develop a Plan of Study

Teamwork/Leadership Clubs and Activities - SME, APICS

Internships/Research Cultivate Relationships

With Employers With Professors

Summer jobs

Goals = Success Set Goals and Objectives for

Your career This year This semester Life outside work

Write them down! Review them regularly

Plan your work, work your plan!