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Goal: Identify the right path to reach your goals.
Approach: Consider available Career Path alternatives.
For any one group of Absolute Requirements and Desirable Elements, there may be several paths you can take to achieve them. Examples include full-time employment, contract consulting, staying with your current employer, (Before You Start to Look) leaving the IT industry, or moving away from a technical role into management or sales. For this step, brainstorm your alternative Career Paths. Be imaginative and consider all angles when determining these alternatives. You can consider the following attributes of Permanent Placement and Contract Consulting.
Permanent Placement | Contract Consulting |
| You receive a base salary and possibly bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. Your salary includes paid vacation and holidays. You may not get paid for overtime. | You get paid for every hour that you work. You do not get paid for any days you take off, including sick days and holidays. You may also have gaps between contracts. |
| You have the opportunity to be part of the “core group,” helping set strategy, and to move into a management position. | You have the independence to choose when you will work and what projects you will accept. |
| You get to know the people and the culture of the company where you are working. | You have the opportunity to meet new people and work in a variety of environments. |
You have the opportunity to diversify
or deepen your skill set with company-paid training. Your projects may be in a focused area, making it possible for you to become an expert in an area. | You can pursue a high variety of projects and stay on the cutting edge of technology. Your clients may not provide training. |
Enter your alternatives onto the Stage Four section blanks on your CareerCHART model worksheet (407k pdf).
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