Instructions

1. Conduct a SWOT analysis of your current readiness to enter your chosen industry. What are your current STRENGTHS? Where are your WEAKNESSES? What OPPORTUNITIES can you identify and leverage to become better prepared? What THREATS may get in your way?
2. Based on the SWOT analysis, create a THOROUGH grid or outline addressing the following areas:
   1. Identify and present three current self-promotion/career readiness goals, ideally to be accomplished within the next year. Goals must be realistic, specific, and supported by researched evidence.
   2. For each goal, list all of the steps, resources, and help needed to reach it. For example, if meeting specific people or creating a professional network is one of your goals, what steps will you take to achieve that goal? If you wish to attain an internship for credit, what steps must be fulfilled? If you want to publish a children’s book, what steps must you take to realize that dream?
   3. Cite your existing resources and/or achievements that support achieving each goal. For example, if a goal is to earn a starting salary of a certain level, what achievements can you cite to support that goal? If a goal is to get an interview with a certain company, who do you know who has worked there or can give you a referral? If a goal is to exhibit at a particular gallery or venue, do you know anyone who has shown there?
   4. Calculate the financial resources required to achieve each step toward your goals. If you will attend an industry convention or join an organization associated with your industry, what will that cost? Don’t forget costs associated with mailing, copying, or even copyright registration.
3. Using your grid or outline of goals and a calendar, create a timeline for achieving each goal. Plot each step toward the goal, using one month time increments. For example, if one of your goals is to create and publish a children’s book, in the first month you might research publishers and their recent titles to determine length and popular concepts. In the second and third months, you might draft the story. In the fourth month, you might test your storyline by reading your draft to a focus group of children to gauge reaction. In the fifth month, you might revise the story, and in ensuing months, you again might research publishers and their submission guidelines.
4. Craft a statement outlining how achievement of stated goals will position you to compete or realize a professional unique selling point (USP).