Career Planning Made Simple

Take your time. You can do this!

You don't have to remember everything. Here is a tip for your notebook:

Notebook Tip: Dedicate one page to each career you explore. Write down the Cost, the Extra Pay, and One thing that excites you about it.

Disclaimer:

The outputs generated by this tool are intended for illustrative purposes only. This resource is not a substitute for professional advice. The accuracy of the results is not guaranteed, and the user assumes all risk for actions taken based on this tool’s guidance.

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Welcome to Your Next Chapter

This tool is designed to help you explore new career choices without the stress. Here, you will find simple ways to see if going back to school or changing jobs is the right move for your family and your wallet.

Why are we doing this?

Choosing a new career or going to school is a big step. Many people guess what might work, and sometimes they end up with debt or a job they don't like.

We want to help you make a safe choice. We will look at three simple things:

1. The Money: Will this pay off?
2. The Jobs: Are people actually hiring for this?
3. Your Life: Does this fit your life right now?

Step 1: Let's Look at the Money

This section helps you figure out if paying for training or a degree is worth it. We use a simple tool to find your "Payback Period"—which just means how many years it takes for your new, higher salary to pay back the cost of school.

The "Payback" Calculator

Type in your best guesses. You can always change them later.

How much do you make in a year right now?

Total cost of the new school or training program?

Include tuition, books, and fees.

How much do you expect to make in the NEW job?

With your new job, you will make more every year.

It will take about to pay off the cost of school using that extra money.

The new job needs to pay more than your current job to make the math work! Try changing the numbers.

* A good rule of thumb is trying to find a path that pays for itself in less than 5 years.

Step 2: Are There Jobs Out There?

Even if the money looks good, we need to make sure businesses are actually hiring for this role. This is called looking at the "Job Market." Choose a career area below to see if the number of jobs is growing.

Pick a career area you are curious about:

Step 3: Does This Fit Your Life?

A school program might be cheap and lead to a great job, but if it requires 40 hours of study a week and you already work full-time while raising kids, it might not be the right choice right now. This checklist helps you check your Personal Readiness.

My Reality Check

Check the boxes that are true for you today. There are no wrong answers, only honest ones.

I have someone who can help watch my kids or handle family duties while I study. I can realistically find 10 to 15 hours a week of quiet time to focus on schoolwork. I have a plan for how to pay for the program without using high-interest credit cards. I have a reliable computer and internet connection at home. I feel okay asking a teacher or tutor for help if I get confused.

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Timeline

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