🌟 Course Introduction

Are you managing your career or is it managing you?

Career Management Resources for Professionals (also referred to as the Resource) is designed to empower you as the project manager of your own career. This course provides a structured yet flexible framework for self-exploration, skill-building, and professional growth. Through guided activities and insights, you will gain a deeper understanding of your strengths, values, and career goals, while learning how to navigate the ever-changing job market.

This course is based on the self-directed career management framework (Hirschi, 2012) to help you identify your resources (personal assets, skills, mindsets, and community) that are necessary to skillfully manage your career. This resource will equip you with the tools and confidence to navigate your career path successfully.

Course Overview

The course is divided into four main units:

• Determining Direction: Clarify your strengths, values, and your career objectives.
• Demonstrating Skills: Explore and apply relational skills to significantly influence your career trajectory.
• Defining Resources: Gather and evaluate career-related information to inform your career goals, and effectively present your unique combination of assets to employers.
• Discovering Connections: Build and nurture your community network by developing meaningful relationships.

Each unit contains standalone modules. You can complete each module individually, but may find it beneficial to also investigate the other modules in the same unit. Look for the “connections” icon to see how topics link across modules.

Each module includes:

• A Start here self-directed activity to help you decide if the module is relevant and/or timely for you
• Action-oriented activities, downloadable worksheets, and reflection prompts
• A Summary section with a checklist and concluding insights

These worksheets can become your personalized career workbook. While optional, documenting your thoughts, digitally or in a journal, enhances reflection and growth.

Tips for Success

• You will have the best success by doing the activities, not just reading through them. Set goals for yourself and celebrate your accomplishments!
• Give yourself time to stop and reflect on what you are learning. Think critically about your goals and how these new skills will help you.
• The activities are intended to be useful long after you move on from the course site. Use the downloadable worksheets and resources to jump-start your career growth, and keep building upon the activities to reinforce career-ready skills and habits!
• As you start taking notes for the activities, plan to keep them in a safe place. The personal discoveries you make will be important to keep in the long run!

Questions? Contact RRU Career Advisor via LibCal.

Career management is complex and emotional. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or uncertain. If you need support, reach out to a Career Advisor or Student Health & Wellness services.

Final Thoughts

Your career is a multifaceted, long-term project, one that deserves intentional planning, learning, and reflection.

Instead of relying solely on resumes or job boards, CMRP encourages a proactive, informed, and strategic approach. The skills and insights you gain here will serve you well beyond this course.

Remember, “learning is about transformation, it’s about change, it’s about seeing yourself in relation to the world differently,” (Lyn in Apte 2003a:92, as cited Apte, 2009, p.170); moving in step with Royal Roads University’s vision: Inspiring people with the courage to transform the world.

You’re not just taking a course, you’re managing your future.

Continue on to How to Navigate this Resource