CHOOSING the right career can be difficult.
However, having a defined career path will help you get the best chance in the job market.
Moreover, with a little hard work, planning and some serious self-reflection, you can set yourself on a path towards a fruitful and fulfilling career.
Albert Einstein said: “Try not to become a man of success but, rather, to become a man of value.”
Thus, selecting the right career option is an important decision.
Do not decide until you are ready
Many young people feel pressured while making a career choice. In fact, many people do not even know who they are, let alone what they want to become. If you need time, take a year or two off to go and discover yourself and what you are good at.
As a matter of fact, school does not teach a lot of life skills, but life does.
Many successful people take time off to slowly work out and explore their inner self to decide upon the best career path for themselves.
Look for breadth in your career choice
Instead of trying to narrow down your options, it can be helpful to keep as many alternatives as possible within your chosen trade, profession or field of expertise. That way, you gain manoeuvrability and flexibility as you and the job change.
Work according to your strength
Even if you are well into your chosen course, training, internship or induction for your career, and find that you are always relying on your less strong attributes, it pays to stop and reassess the worth of continuing on this course.
A lifetime spent working in an area where you do not get to rely on your strengths for the majority of the time will cause you a great deal of stress and disharmony.
As a result, it can also prevent growth and enjoyment of your career.
Volunteer in your desired career field
There is no better way to know whether or not the career is for you than to just pitch in and get your hands dirty.
It is much more likely to happen if you take on such roles without payment, especially where the employer understands your motivations. If you can handle the work thrown at you and still want more, you are likely to be a winner.
Moreover, the network contacts built up during volunteer experiences are priceless.
Talk to people who work in your desired career fields
Ask them the following questions, among others: Do you still enjoy working in this career after all these years? What is it about this job that you like the most? What are the downsides to this job? Does this job let you have a good work-life balance? Ask away and you will soon get a good sense of fit for you with practical advice.
Listen to advice but make your own decision
Parents, teachers, friends and career counsellors tend to mean well but they are not you. It is you who has to feel comfortable with the daily routine that you adapt to.
Nobody else can truly know what works for you. Do your own research and thinking on the area of interest. Henceforth, deciding which career is right for you can be an overwhelming process.
Rather than focusing on identifying a direct path, first determine your own needs and goals and then sync your findings with what the world has to offer. Whether you are looking to enter the workforce for the first time or contemplating a career change, the first step to choosing a fulfilling career is to uncover the activities that get you excited and bring you joy.
It is also important to recognise that you will change as time rolls on. Your needs for money, freedom, balance and recognition will change. — Wires
Learners can write short poems/stories or about special events at their schools and send to: prince.mushawevato@ zimpapers.co.zw
