Md Altaf Hussain :
Do you want a big or little career? It’s time to decide. The most popular ways of choosing a career are often the most unsuccessful in achieving job satisfaction.
So, how do most people address this issue of ‘How to choose a career?’ Too many choices are not always good, especially when it comes to picking your career.
Use these soul-searching questions to decide which path is right for you.
Perform a self-assessment
Before making any important decision, it’s a good idea to take time for self-reflection. Choosing a career is no different. In this step, you’ll reflect on what kind of work environment you want to be in, what type of work you enjoy, who you want to work with, and more.
As you’re reflecting, you may want to write down your notes. These can be helpful references as you’re evaluating job descriptions later on.
Here are a few questions to get you started. Try not to dwell on the questions but rather, write down the first thoughts that come to mind. If you’re not sure of some answers, trusted friends or family may be able to give guidance.
Create a ‘Short List’
Now you have more information, start to narrow down your list even further. Based on what you learned from your research so far, begin eliminating the careers you don’t want to pursue any further. You should end up with two to five occupations on your ‘short list.’
If your reasons for finding a career unacceptable are non-negotiable, cross it off your list. Remove everything with duties that don’t appeal to you. Eliminate careers that have weak job outlooks. Get rid of any occupation if you are unable or unwilling to fulfill the educational or other requirements, or if you lack some of the soft skills necessary to succeed in it.
Identify your goals
Once you make a decision, identify your long- and short-term goals. This helps to chart a course toward eventually landing work in your chosen field. Long-term goals typically take about three to five years to reach, while you can usually fulfill a short-term goal in six months to three years.
Let the research you did about required education and training be your guide. If you don’t have all the details, do some more research? Once you have all the information you need, set your goals. An example of a long-term goal would be completing your education and training. Short-term goals include applying to college, apprenticeships, other training programs, and internships.
Get training and update your resume
Once you’ve narrowed your list down to one or possibly two career paths, you’ll need to assess whether you need additional training or credentials. While some employers are willing to provide on-the-job training, others will look for candidates who already possess their requirements. For details on a specific job, carefully review the job posting. Pay attention to sections labeled ‘Requirements’ and ‘Education and Experience.’
Continue growing and learning
As with any change, it can take time to adjust to your new career. During this transition time, pay attention to the parts of your job that you’re enjoying. You’ll continue growing, learning and changing as you understand more about yourself, your industry and what works best for you.
Make the most out of your first year. In a new job, it can be overwhelming to take in new information, learn the industry and become an established member of the team. You might research how to succeed in your new role.
Pursue your interests. If there is a certain task, activity or role you particularly enjoy, spend time developing and exploring those interests. Following what you enjoy and are good at can help.
Make a good decision
At High-Quality decision making you will learn a method based on many scientific studies that are widely used in business and medical settings. It is easy to understand and use.
Visit a career counselor for advice
This is a great first step when choosing careers, either prior to beginning your work life or seeking career change advice further down the track. Somebody who is trained in unraveling the mystery of our uniqueness in relation to the world of work can definitely help us decide how to choose a career.
But as with any professional group, there are good career counselors and not so good ones. So you will need to do your homework before choosing a career counselor to visit.
The best piece of advice I could give somebody prior to going to see a career counselor is to realise that a career counselor cannot tell you what to do. In fact, a good career counselor will definitely not want to tell you what to do.
Her job is to help you unravel your deepest motivations and desires and show you how they connect with the process of how to choose a career. A process that is primarily directed by you and only aided by the career counselor.
Do you want a big or little career? It’s time to decide. The most popular ways of choosing a career are often the most unsuccessful in achieving job satisfaction.
So, how do most people address this issue of ‘How to choose a career?’ Too many choices are not always good, especially when it comes to picking your career.
Use these soul-searching questions to decide which path is right for you.
Perform a self-assessment
Before making any important decision, it’s a good idea to take time for self-reflection. Choosing a career is no different. In this step, you’ll reflect on what kind of work environment you want to be in, what type of work you enjoy, who you want to work with, and more.
As you’re reflecting, you may want to write down your notes. These can be helpful references as you’re evaluating job descriptions later on.
Here are a few questions to get you started. Try not to dwell on the questions but rather, write down the first thoughts that come to mind. If you’re not sure of some answers, trusted friends or family may be able to give guidance.
Create a ‘Short List’
Now you have more information, start to narrow down your list even further. Based on what you learned from your research so far, begin eliminating the careers you don’t want to pursue any further. You should end up with two to five occupations on your ‘short list.’
If your reasons for finding a career unacceptable are non-negotiable, cross it off your list. Remove everything with duties that don’t appeal to you. Eliminate careers that have weak job outlooks. Get rid of any occupation if you are unable or unwilling to fulfill the educational or other requirements, or if you lack some of the soft skills necessary to succeed in it.
Identify your goals
Once you make a decision, identify your long- and short-term goals. This helps to chart a course toward eventually landing work in your chosen field. Long-term goals typically take about three to five years to reach, while you can usually fulfill a short-term goal in six months to three years.
Let the research you did about required education and training be your guide. If you don’t have all the details, do some more research? Once you have all the information you need, set your goals. An example of a long-term goal would be completing your education and training. Short-term goals include applying to college, apprenticeships, other training programs, and internships.
Get training and update your resume
Once you’ve narrowed your list down to one or possibly two career paths, you’ll need to assess whether you need additional training or credentials. While some employers are willing to provide on-the-job training, others will look for candidates who already possess their requirements. For details on a specific job, carefully review the job posting. Pay attention to sections labeled ‘Requirements’ and ‘Education and Experience.’
Continue growing and learning
As with any change, it can take time to adjust to your new career. During this transition time, pay attention to the parts of your job that you’re enjoying. You’ll continue growing, learning and changing as you understand more about yourself, your industry and what works best for you.
Make the most out of your first year. In a new job, it can be overwhelming to take in new information, learn the industry and become an established member of the team. You might research how to succeed in your new role.
Pursue your interests. If there is a certain task, activity or role you particularly enjoy, spend time developing and exploring those interests. Following what you enjoy and are good at can help.
Make a good decision
At High-Quality decision making you will learn a method based on many scientific studies that are widely used in business and medical settings. It is easy to understand and use.
Visit a career counselor for advice
This is a great first step when choosing careers, either prior to beginning your work life or seeking career change advice further down the track. Somebody who is trained in unraveling the mystery of our uniqueness in relation to the world of work can definitely help us decide how to choose a career.
But as with any professional group, there are good career counselors and not so good ones. So you will need to do your homework before choosing a career counselor to visit.
The best piece of advice I could give somebody prior to going to see a career counselor is to realise that a career counselor cannot tell you what to do. In fact, a good career counselor will definitely not want to tell you what to do.
Her job is to help you unravel your deepest motivations and desires and show you how they connect with the process of how to choose a career. A process that is primarily directed by you and only aided by the career counselor.
