SWOT analysis is the key tool in the strategic planning process. A SWOT analysis focuses on the internal and external environments, examining strengths and weaknesses in the internal environment and opportunities and threats in the external environment. This tool can also be applied to career planning.
Refer to Figure 7.2, SWOT Matrix, found in your textbook, and to the Web site, Using SWOT analysis in your career planning.
This assignment requires you to do a SWOT analysis of your career planning (or your current career if you are already employed) and to write a reflection paper.
Reflection Paper
Reflection is a process designed to promote the examination and interpretation of your experiences. It is the process of looking back on the implications of actions taken -- good and bad -- and determining what has been gained, lost, or achieved and connecting those conclusions to future actions. Reflection involves revisiting prior experiences and your current knowledge of the topic. Through reflection, you analyze concepts, evaluate experiences, and postulate theory. Reflective thinking demands that you recognize the valuable knowledge, skills, and insights you bring to an experience. Reflection involves observation, asking questions, and putting facts, ideas, and experiences together to derive new meaning.
When completing a reflection assignment, follow these steps to gain the most from the experience:
Objective: Ask yourself questions related to the experiences you listed. What did you do or observe?
Reflective: Ask yourself questions such as: How did the experience feel? Were you anxious or excited? Did you feel successful, effective, and knowledgeable?
Interpretive: Then ask yourself about how you interpreted the experience. How did it change your thinking? What did you learn? What worked (or didn't)?
Decisional: Finally, ask yourself how the experience changed you. What will you do differently next time? What decisions or opinions have you formed? How will the experience affect your career path?
Action Items
Review Chapter 7, Figure 7.2, and the Web site, Using SWOT analysis in your career planning.
Conduct a SWOT analysis of your career planning. Use the SWOT template (see second page) linked here. Reflect on the following as you prepare to complete your SWOT analysis:
Strengths:
What advantages do you have?
What do you do well?
What relevant resources do you have access to?
What do other people see as your strengths?
Weaknesses:
What could you improve?
What do you do badly?
What should you avoid?
Opportunities:
Where are the good opportunities facing you?
What are the interesting trends you are aware of?
What changes in technology and markets are occurring on both a broad and narrow scale?
What changes are occurring in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, etc?
Threats:
What obstacles do you face?
Are the required specifications for your career changing?
Is changing technology threatening your plan?
Do you have bad debt or cash flow problems?
Could any of your weaknesses seriously threaten your future?
Reflect on your completed SWOT analysis.
Write a one-page reflection paper following the reflection paper template that includes:
An introductory paragraph that explains your current career plan.
A personal reflection. How did this SWOT analysis change your mind or provide confirmation about your career plan?
A description of your next steps in regards to your career plan.
Attach your SWOT analysis to your reflection paper (you should have only one document)
No citations are necessary for this document.
The footer is to include your name and the page numbers.