Frequently Asked Questions

How do I do an Individual Development Plan?

The Employee Performance Communication System adopted throughout the Agency refers to an IDP, but doesn’t mandate completion of a form.  The focus is on having meaningful discussions about careers, not on paperwork.  Good developmental discussions, which can happen during a formal review or at another time, would concentrate on short and long-term plans for progress, special assignments or education required to meet the plans, and roles of the employee & supervisor in getting them accomplished.  The IDP section of the OHCM web site has further thoughts for developmental discussions and a Career Action plan.  

Who can I talk with about career issues?  

The OHCM function here at Goddard has a dedicated Professional Development Team. Please contact us at (301) 286-7823.

How do I change career paths?

Making a significant change in a career path involves careful research.  Most big changes will have some pluses but may have some drawbacks.  A good starting point is reviewing job postings for the field or area you’re thinking of moving to.It’s critical to consider how these will meet the interests, values a nd needsthat you want to have met from your career (self-assessment is a necessary preliminary).

In some cases, the position that would be ideal for you doesn’t exist. You can propose it and be the first one to be in it!  If self-assessment isn’t suggesting anything, contact the Professional Development Career Staff in OHCM for further assistance.

How do I find a mentor?  

Mentoring has become a significant part of career progress for many people.  On an informal level, mentoring between more and less experienced people goes on all the time.  Some thoughts on informal mentoring can be found in a special article on the subject printed in this website.  Several formal mentoring programs have been set up for particular populations, such as Project Managers and Systems Engineers. The Applied Engineering Technology Directorate has established a formal mentoring program entitled the Minority Career Mentoring Program.  Also, an annual, structured program called the GSFC Mentoring Program connects mentors and proteges, provides training, and provides guidance to everyone involved.

How do I get a special developmental assignment?  

There’s really no formal process for getting onto a developmental assignment…a special piece of work that gives you a chance to learn new skills and become better known by people throughout the organization.  The most useful thing is to think, not of what it can do for you, but of what you can do for it.  As useful as these assignments can be for peoples’ development, it’s important to recall that they exist to benefit the organization.  Getting onto one is essentially a matter of learning the mission of the Task Force, Source Evaluation Board, or other opportunity, and proposing yourself as a solution to one of its needs.  Having learned about the opportunity, perhaps from your supervisor or someone who has been on one, you can then propose yourself as a value-adding member of the team.

How can I plan out my career development?  

Discussions on careers can follow several paths, but a useful framework is to think in terms of six steps.  1) Know yourself.  Through various self-assessments and conversations, develop a clear sense of who you are and what you need from work and can offer in return.  2)  Learn the organization and its needs.  The more of a win-win you can create, the more opportunities you will have.  3)  Set preliminary goals for a move that would benefit you and the organization.  4)  Brainstorm various strategies that would let these goals be accomplished.  5) Test your ideas in conversations with your supervisor, mentors or others.  6)  Start acting on the goals.  Please refer to the Career Planning section of the Training and Professional Development Guide.

How can I learn about retirement age and benefits?  

On site counseling is available to Goddard employees by contacting Janet Morgan at (301) 286-4709. Also, retirement planning courses are offered on a continual basis. 

How can I go from a clerical to a professional role?  

There’s no magic about making this type of move.  The steps involved are much like those in making other career moves, as described in earlier answers.  A good step for learning about other roles is “job shadowing,” which means following people around for a while to see them at work.  Many moves to a professional career can involve acquiring educational degrees or credentials, so it’s important to check on them, and to ask if experience can be a substitute for a degree.

What are the processes for acceptance into an academic degree program?  

Goddard people have the opportunity for acceptance into a number of undergraduate, graduate or advanced study programs.  Each of these programs requires submission of an application, endorsement by your management, and a clear benefit to the Agency from your acquiring the education in question.  Details on the programs, their acceptance criteria and other matters can be found within the OHCM site.

Will there be career paths for all roles here at the Goddard Center?

Yes.  So far, competency-based career paths have been set for roles in Finance and Resources Management, Project Management, and some Engineering roles.  In the future, the process will be extended to other roles here.

Back to Career Development