A career-minded professional understands that success isn't going to fall into their lap. There's no guarantee your efforts will be recognized and rewarded. Determination, hard work, and planning are the tools of success, which is why most career-minded professionals create a five-year self-development plan or a career plan. There's an adage that says a person can drive across the country in the dark, only seeing as far as one's headlights allow. This analogy suggests one can surmount seemingly unachievable big dream goals by breaking them down into smaller, more easily attainable goals.

If you don't know where to start, ask questions and research the qualities they're looking for in their ideal students. Self-growth, emotional maturity, the ability to nondefensively receive feedback, and taking every tough lesson in stride are the qualities of a successful professional. Learn from your mistakes and apply those hard-learned lessons to ensure you don't repeat them. Create a plan that can be fine-tuned and adjusted along the way as you continue to grow and learn, and share that plan with your interviewer.

The point isn't for your plan to be ironclad. The point is to show you are proactive and determined to succeed. Success should be your ultimate priority. If they are going to invest in you, they need to know that you also plan to invest in yourself.