Design thinking in career planning

Abstract

This chapter looks at visual tools that are used mainly in design thinking methodologies. It explores how these tools can be utilised in storytelling and career planning. The implementation of a designer mindsets allows one to look at one’s own work with a critical eye, to be open to improvement, to not fear mistakes and to be able to learn from those mistakes. The identification and the correct use of divergent and convergent mindsets allocating the appropriate tools for a given career design challenge are the key aspects of a successful career plan. Building up a narrative can be challenging when the only tools available are verbal ones and often leads to linear, one stranded outcomes. Planning a career path is even more challenging, as one may not have a clear goal or a sense of where the narrative should go next. In the next sections we will try to provide insight and tools into life design. These tools and methods can be useful in a wide range of situations, whenever one is feeling stuck or has to make an important choice or where there is a moment to ponder one’s life journey and wants to plan ahead. The same tools that are used to define a company’s strategy are also useful to create a personal vision and plan the necessary steps. Introducing visual tools and design thinking mindsets into the career story creating process enables the creator to build up a story much more like a drawing or a picture; not linear, highly associative and layered in meaning.