Career Discovery Program for the Health and Human Services Agency

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

With the rapid retirements of baby boomers, there is a constant need for career development and succession planning at the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). In 2017, HHSA Human Resources launched the Career Discovery Program to provide employees with an opportunity to explore select classifications by pairing participants, or Career Explorers, with experienced Career Guides over a 3 month period. This innovative program gives high potential employees the tools, resources and mentoring needed to support their career development. As such, the Career Discovery Program is a strategic talent development program used to prepare employees to take the next step in their career. The results from the pilot show tangible and intangible benefits. Some of the outcomes that have been reported include: • Increased ability for Career Explorers to plan career paths to reach their desired job classification • Increased ability for Career Explorers to identify positions that would be a good fit for their skills, strengths and interests • Increased confidence for Career Explorers to achieve their career goals • Increased motivation for Career Guides to work for HHSA