“I have just finished my 12th, what are my options now?”
“I am a science graduate, what careers can I opt for?”
“I am at the crossroads of my career, what do I do?”
These are thoughts that almost every student goes through. It is not something that you should worry about. Especially now that you know you are not the only one going through it.
Students, being young, have impressionable minds. They get influenced easily. Sometimes, so easily that they may make a wrong decision along the way.
One of the main worries of students is how to choose the perfect career. Choosing the right career is a personal choice and depends on various factors. It is these factors that sometimes students miss and make wrong career choices.
There are so many career options open to students now. It is a big world out there.
The numerous choices available, tend to confuse students. To avoid these confusions, ask yourself these questions
“Does it satisfy your interest?”
“Is it related to your educational qualification or skill?”
“Will you be happy with this choice?”
Another question some students mistakenly add to this list is, Will it earn me a good amount of money? Always remember If you are good at your job, dedicated, and committed to your work, the money will always follow.
10 Guidelines that Can Help Students in Deciding the Right Career Path:
1. Understand the Benefits of The Job
Before deciding and choosing a right career for yourself, it is important to learn the benefits of the job. Weigh the pros and cons of the job before deciding on whether to take it up or not.
Many times students ignore the long-term effects of choosing a career. At that point in time, it may sound like the perfect career to pursue but sometimes, this may not be the perfect choice in the long run.
That is why it is important that you understand the long-term benefits and disadvantages of the job before you pursue it.
You May Also Like Pros and Cons of Joining a Startup
2. Think of All Your Goals
It is important to think of all your long-term and short-term goals before you choose a right career. Goals are broadly classified into two: short-term and long-term goals.
Short-term goals are the goals in your life that need to be accomplished in the near future whereas, long-term goals are aspirations for the far future.
It is evident that in order to achieve long-term goals, short-term goals must be accomplished.
One of the foremost tips to choose the right career path is to set measurable and achievable long-term and short-term goals. This trend of setting goals can guide you through your journey to choose the right career for yourself.
3. Reason out Before Jumping In
While this may sound confusing, it is one of the best tips to choose the right career path for yourself. Before choosing a right career, it is necessary to think about why you want the particular career or job?
The best answer to your thought is that you want it for yourself. Make sure that you do not choose a career path just because your friends are doing it. Choosing a career that you do not like, will have repercussions at a later stage.
Choosing a career that you love will ensure that you do not work a day in your life. Your career will become more of a passion. Therefore, think before you choose the right career path for yourself.
4. Evaluate, Judge, and Gauge Yourself
Evaluating yourself is one of the methods of choosing the perfect career. Assessing yourself gives you is like a self-interview.
It gives you an insight into your own self. Evaluate your positives and build on them. Assess your shortcomings and find means to rectify them.
Gauging yourself tells you exactly what kind of person you are and what kind of personality you have. These traits you discover about yourself will help you find the kind of job that suits you.
Self-assessment tools and aptitude tests are freely available online. You can make a quick survey about yourself using these self-assessing tools. These aptitude tests will gauge what kind of personality you have.
Sometimes your personality is the best tool to determine what kind of career option suits you. It is important to answer these tests truthfully otherwise the point is completely lost.
5. Lists, Lists, and More Lists
Make a list of all the career options and jobs that you have the aptitude for or would like to pursue. The list can be long and run into pages.
The important thing is to make the list. After you make the list you can prioritise the list. Keep your favoured ten options on the top of the list.
After prioritising the list, note down the qualifications and skills required for the job. This will help you choose the particular subjects in college.
Your aptitude and self-assessment tests can also help you prioritise your career options at this point. Sometimes your list may include career options that you have no qualification for or you may not know much about.
Do not totally erase these career options from the list. These are the jobs that you might like to explore in the future. Making a list is one of the best methods of knowing how to choose the right career path.
6. Start Your ‘Search’ Engine and Speed Away
Once you have prioritised your list, you must now do a bit of research on the enlisted career favourites. The internet is the best place to do a bit of research. The internet is the new age encyclopedia.
It has information on just about anything and everything. Type your career choice in any of the search engines. You will get the why, how, where, and when of it all.
Search engines will give you the latest information about your career choice. It will show you the market value for a starter in the field, your options within that job, and the qualifications required. With thorough research, you are ready to speed away.
7. Feel the Market
Once you have a list in place you can do a bit of market research. It will be a good idea to meet people who are already in the field.
Getting first-hand experience is one of the best ways of knowing how to pick the right career. Use the advice given positively. Do not feel discouraged if you are told that it is difficult to make your mark in a particular career path.
Use the advice to your advantage. Think big and do not listen to people who tell you that you cannot do it. Make amends for the mistakes or errors the other person has made. Get inspired by people who have made it big in their careers.
Networking through LinkedIn is a great start. Connect with people in the field of your career choice.
Prepare a questionnaire for them and get all your queries and doubts answered by experts. The knowledge, advice, and information you receive from them will help you choose the right career path.
8. This Is the Right Choice
Once you have done your market research, you are now ready to make the right career choice. The treasure house of information that you have collected from all your research is finally bearing fruit. You are now so well informed that you know how to choose the right career path.
Select a career path that best suits your personality, skill, and endurance. Hold on to your visions and the rest will fall in place.
You May Also Like Job vs Business: Which Is Better?
9. Ticking Off the Bucket List
Now that you have chosen the right path for your career, write down the goals you need to fulfill to achieve the career. The goals may range from short term ones to long futuristic goals.
Set big goals for yourself. Always remember that however big your goals are. You can do it. As Oprah Winfrey once said “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe”
Jot them down and tick them off as you fulfill each goal. Short term goals may include writing an entrance exam or applying for an internship. Long term goals could be a postgraduate degree or savings.
Work towards ticking off the goals as and when you complete them. Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.
10. Choose What You Are Passionate About
“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work” – Aristotle
Making the right career choice can be an overwhelming decision especially for students who are at the crossroads of their lives. Always try to make a career out of your passion because that is what you will love ultimately.
Loving a career is the best feeling. Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career.
Conclusion
You have to always remember that above all the guidelines on how to choose the right career, only hard work and perseverance can ultimately get you what you want. You get what you work for and not what you wish for.
Quoting Virat Kohli “Self-belief and hard work will always earn you success.”
You May Also Like Studying vs Working? What Is Better for You?
