GSA Expo 2009

Career ManagementThe Basics

Cecelia Davis

Federal Acquisition Institute

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Objectives

• Identify potential career paths

• Align interests, skills, and experience with career paths

• Create a basic career plan

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Topics

1. Why Acquisition?

2. What Is FAI’s Role?

3. What Are the different Career Paths?

4. Which Path Is Right for Me?

5. How Do I Get There?

6. Conclusion

Career Management

The BasicsGSA Expo

2009

Why Acquisition?

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Why Acquisition?

• Research, plan for, and procure goods and services

• Make strategic and innovative business decisions

• Act as business advisors to ensure agencies meet their missions

Career Management

The BasicsGSA Expo

2009

What Is FAI’s Role?

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

What Is FAI’s Role?

• Develop instructional material and performance tools

• Facilitate interagency intern and training programs

• Identify acquisition competencies

• Promote and coordinate Federal research

• Help identify and recruit acquisition professionals

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

FAI.gov

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

FAI.gov Training Page

Career Management

The BasicsGSA Expo

2009

What Are the DifferentCareer Paths?

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Contracting

• Operations– Pre-contract award

– Contract award/post-contract award

• Policy

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Program

• Program/Project Manager (PPM)

• Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR)

• Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Learn more about acquisition careers at www.fai.gov

Career Management

The BasicsGSA Expo

2009

Which Path Is Right for Me?

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Explore Different Agencies

Align interests with agency missions and functions

Learn about agencies at www.usa.govLearn about agency jobs at

www.usajobs.gov

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

• Acquisition community– Training events– Workshops– Conferences

• Professional organizations– National Contract Management Association (NCMA)– Project Management Institute (PMI)– National Institute for Governmental Purchasing

(NIGP)

• Work relationships– Current and former co-workers– Managers

Network

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Use Government Resources

• FAI– www.fai.gov

• USA Jobs– www.usajobs.gov

• Office of Personnel Management– www.opm.gov

• Agency Career Centers

Career Management

The BasicsGSA Expo

2009

How Do I Get There?

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Create a Career Plan

• Set goals

• Identify action steps

• Set target dates

• Involve others

• Review progress and make modifications

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Set Goals

Set “SMART” Goals:

–Specific

–Measurable

–Attainable

–Realistic/Relevant

–Timely

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Identify Action Steps

• Increase knowledge– Formal training

– Workshops, seminars, conferences

– Independent research, self-study

• Build experience– On the job

– Special assignments and projects

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Set Target Dates

• Establish an overall timeline

• Set deadlines for each action step

• Set review dates

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Involve Others

• Mentorship programs– Formal

– Informal

• Management– Individual Development Plan (IDP)

GSA Expo 2009

Career Management—The Basics

Review & Modify

Career Planning Set Target

DatesReview & Modify

Involve Others

Set Goals& Objectives

Identify Action Steps

• Review progress

• Modify career plan

Career Management

The BasicsGSA Expo

2009

Closing Remarks

• www.fai.gov

• www.opm.gov

• www.usajobs.gov

Career Management

The BasicsGSA Expo

2009

Q&A

1. Why Acquisition?

2. What Is FAI’s Role?

3. What Are the different Career Paths?

4. Which Path Is Right for Me?

5. How Do I Get There?