THINKING ABOUT YOUR CAREER
It’s exciting to consider your potential career options, but it can also be intimidating. You must choose school subjects, make decisions about further and higher education, and consider the goals you want – and would like – to follow. Choosing a profession should be seen as a mechanism rather than a single decision. Consider it a journey where you can encounter a number of motivating factors.
- The type of education that you receive.
- The type of personality that you have.
- A childhood hobby or talent, such as drama, music, or sports.
- The subjects you are good at and enjoy at school.
- The influence of a parent or role model.
- University study or an apprenticeship.
- Finding the job that is right for you.
- The desired work-life balance in your life.
- Exam results at university.
- Where you currently reside and where you would like to reside.
- A desire for professional status.
- Exam results at school.
- A desire for wealth and comfort.
- A desire to challenge yourself.
- Work experience.
UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF
We are all unique individuals with our own personalities, interests, skills, and values. To find a good career match, you must first consider yourself, not just your interests, but also your skills, personal qualities, motivators, and character. This reflection will assist you in planning future training and work experience, strengthening your CV, and making sound career decisions.
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WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU LIKE?
- Which subjects do you enjoy at school?
- Which are you best at?
- What would you do to boost your grades in the subjects you like the most?
WHAT OTHER INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE?
Do you participate in sports? Employers are looking for a variety of interests in addition to schoolwork. Participating in and succeeding in events such as sports shows the ability to work well with others, which is important in many occupations. Many people have pastimes that transform into professions, but not always in the way one would expect. If you enjoy drama, for example, you may pursue a career as an actor, but you’ll also have skills that you can apply to give presentations or teaching. Consider your hobbies and interests and how you would be able to apply them in the workplace.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
What is the most important thing in your life to you? Do you want to be famous, have a high social status, and make a lot of money, or would you rather support those in your community? Do you value peace, independence, and security more than excitement and challenge in your life?
WHAT SKILLS DO YOU HAVE?
Consider the skills you have acquired, whether you are still in school or have already gained work experience. You could be highly creative, a great communicator, or have advanced IT skills; you could be good at problem-solving or enjoy working with your hands.
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL QUALITIES?
Although you might be able to learn new skills to advance your career, changing your attitude is much more difficult. Consider what kind of person you are, and then ask others to identify you. Choosing work that matches your personality will make you happier in your job and increase your chances of becoming a productive employee.
WHAT ARE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES?
Do you want to work in a certain location – may be close to family and friends – or are you willing to relocate? Do you have any medical issues that could affect your applications? What are the educational and training costs in your chosen field, and can you afford them?
TAKING ACTION FOR YOUR CAREER
You can begin to explore the world of education, training, and work once you have a better understanding of who you are, what you are good at, and what type of job you want to do. Begin by reviewing the job profiles in this book; they will give you an idea of the types of careers available and will assist you in broadening your current ideas and learning about new opportunities.
1. GET STARTED
Once you’ve decided on a career path, there are several things you can do to make yourself stand out to potential employers.
2. SET SOME GOALS
Ask yourself what you want to accomplish in your life and what you need to do in the short term to get there.
3. SEEK ADVICE
Learn everything you can about your chosen profession or industry. Discuss your options with friends, family, teachers, or career counsellors.
