Individual Career Plan
Alexandra Egan
Capella University
COUN 5279: Life Planning and Career Development
Dr. Hannah Lowe
Due Date: June 8, 2025
, 2
Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive career plan for Vaughn, a 23-year-old Native
American Sioux tribe member, developed through the Riverbend City counseling Center
(RCCC). The plan integrates evidence-based counseling strategies, theoretical frameworks, and
tailored assessments to support Vaughn in navigating his unique cultural identity, personal
values, and professional aspirations. The career planning process begins with self-assessment
and career exploration, followed by goal setting and implementation using structured milestones.
Assessments such as the Holland Interest codes, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Big Five
Personality Traits, and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSE) reveal
Vaughn’s alignment with socially and creatively oriented roles, while also identifying areas
requiring supportive work environments due to higher neuroticism scores.
Career options evaluated include teaching, school counseling, social work, and acute care
nursing. While teaching and counseling align with Vaughn’s interests, they require additional
degrees and present limited job prospects. Social work emerges as a viable path due to its
alignment with Vaughn’s values and personality, though it offers lower compensation. Acute
care nursing is identified as the most practical option, aligning with Vaughns current education
level, cultural leadership roles, and projected job growth.
The plan incorporates Gottfredson’s Theory of Circumscription and Compromise, Social
Cognitive Career Theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address internal and external
factors influencing Vaughn’s career development. Short and long-term goals focus on
educational advancement, career entry, and tribal leadership, all while promoting resilience and
self-efficacy. Through a culturally informed, client-centered approach, RCCC empowers Vaughn
to make meaningful, informed career decisions that honor both his personal aspirations and