Career Planning Workbook

Career Planning Workbook

Take control of your career trajectory with this comprehensive planning framework. Designed for Nigerian professionals at all career stages.

Part 1: Self-Assessment

Values & Priorities

Rank these career factors from 1-10 in importance to you:

• __ High salary and financial security
• __ Work-life balance and flexibility
• __ Career growth and advancement opportunities
• __ Meaningful work that helps others
• __ Job stability and security
• __ Creative freedom and autonomy
• __ Working with talented colleagues
• __ Recognition and prestige
• __ Learning and skill development
• __ Geographic location (Lagos, Abuja, flexibility to relocate, remote)

Strengths & Skills Inventory

Technical Skills: List your hard skills (software, tools, certifications, languages)

Example: Python programming, Microsoft Excel (Advanced), Google Analytics, SQL

Soft Skills: What are your interpersonal strengths?

Example: Strong communicator, team leadership, problem-solving, negotiation

Industry Knowledge: What sectors do you understand deeply?

Example: Nigerian fintech ecosystem, healthcare administration, oil & gas regulations

Areas for Development

What skills/experiences are you missing for your dream role?

• Skill Gap 1: _______________
• Skill Gap 2: _______________
• Skill Gap 3: _______________

Part 2: Define Your Career Vision

5-Year Vision Statement

Answer these questions:

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

(Job title, industry, company type, location)

What impact do you want to make?

(Team you lead, projects you deliver, problems you solve)

What does success look like?

(Salary, title, work environment, flexibility)

Example Vision:

"In 5 years, I will be a Product Manager at a leading Nigerian fintech company, earning ₦1.5M/month, leading a team of 5, and launching products that improve financial inclusion for small businesses across Nigeria."

Part 3: Set SMART Goals

Year 1 Goals (2026):

1. Goal: _______________
   Specific: What exactly will you achieve?
   Measurable: How will you track progress?
   Achievable: Is this realistic?
   Relevant: Does this align with your 5-year vision?
   Time-Bound: By when?
   Action Steps: What must you do monthly/quarterly?

Example Year 1 Goal:

Goal: Transition from marketing to product management

• Specific: Land an Associate Product Manager role at a tech company
• Measurable: Submit 50 applications, attend 3 PM networking events, complete Google PM course
• Achievable: Yes—I have transferable skills in user research and data analysis
• Relevant: This is the first step toward my 5-year PM vision
• Time-Bound: By December 2026
• Action Steps:
  • Q1: Complete Google PM certification, build 2 case study projects
  • Q2: Network with 10 PMs, apply to 15 APM roles
  • Q3: Continue applications, refine portfolio based on feedback
  • Q4: Interview prep, negotiate and accept offer

Part 4: Quarterly Action Plan

Q1 2026 (Jan-Mar):

• Professional Development: _______________
• Networking: _______________
• Job Search Activity: _______________
• Skill Building: _______________

Q2 2026 (Apr-Jun):

• Professional Development: _______________
• Networking: _______________
• Job Search Activity: _______________
• Skill Building: _______________

Part 5: Career Milestone Roadmap

2026: _______________ (e.g., "Secure APM role, complete certification")
↓
2027: _______________ (e.g., "Promoted to PM, lead first product launch")
↓
2028: _______________ (e.g., "Senior PM, manage team of 3")
↓
2029: _______________ (e.g., "Group PM, mentor junior PMs")
↓
2030: _______________ (e.g., "Director of Product, ₦1.5M+ salary")

Part 6: Resources & Support System

Mentors/Advisors:

Who can guide you? (Name, role, how they can help)

Learning Resources:

Courses, books, conferences you'll use this year

Financial Plan:

Budget for courses, certifications, networking events

Accountability Partner:

Who will check in on your progress monthly?

Part 7: Progress Tracking

Monthly Check-In Questions:

1. What did I accomplish toward my goals this month?
2. What obstacles did I face?
3. What will I prioritize next month?
4. Do I need to adjust any goals?

Quarterly Review:

• Am I on track with my annual goals?
• What's working well?
• What needs to change?
• Celebrate wins and adjust strategy

Part 8: Nigerian Context Considerations

Industry Growth Sectors:

• Tech/Fintech (high growth, competitive salaries)
• Renewable Energy (emerging opportunities)
• Healthcare (expanding with population growth)
• E-commerce/Logistics (booming)
• Telecommunications (stable, maturing)

Location Strategy:

• Lagos: Most opportunities, highest salaries, highest competition
• Abuja: Government, NGOs, some tech
• Port Harcourt: Oil & gas, some tech
• Remote: Growing options, especially in tech

Professional Associations to Join:

• Your industry-specific body (CIPM for marketing, NIM for management, etc.)
• Alumni associations (powerful for networking)
• Tech communities if transitioning (ForLoop, She Code Africa)

Reflection Exercise

Why do you want this career path?

(Write 2-3 sentences about your deeper motivations)

What legacy do you want to leave?

(How do you want to be remembered professionally?)

What are you willing to sacrifice?

(What trade-offs are you comfortable making—time, location, risk?)