Your vision is a “picture” of what you desire in your work life. Putting this vision into words, can help you establish and reach your career goals.

A career vision statement expresses your career values and goals in a simple one paragraph statement. Writing this down helps you set a goal and believe in your ability to achieve it! Answer the following questions to develop your career vision:

• If you could do any job in the whole world and money was no object, what would you do?
• How do you define success? Imagine yourself in the future at a point in which you've achieved great career success. What is it that you have accomplished? What does your life look like?
• What work values have you discovered through your 3Es journey?

Create Your Vision Statement
Combine words and phrases from above answers into a future-looking paragraph. It should be positive and practical.
Example: "By completing training and certification as a veterinary technician, I will provide exceptional care to animals and compassionate customer service to their families who love them."

Now that you have a vision of your future work life, how will you get there?
Goals are a way to help you get to where you want to be and work toward what you want to achieve. Defining your career goals will help you complete the necessary steps toward a rewarding and enjoyable work life. 

A long-term goal is something that you will achieve further in the future. It gives you a destination. Example: Veterinary Technician

• Learn more - talk with at least three people in this career field next month.
• Job shadow at least one person in this field.
• Gain experience/skills - volunteer at an animal shelter or seek an internship with a veterinary clinic within the next six months.
• Acquire education/training: Finish a degree at Ridgewater College within two years.