The question of career is very important at any age. Some start thinking about it in middle school yet figure out the real desires close to their 30s. Others pursue one dream and at 25 already have a fully blossomed career. Everyone has their own pace.
You might have been thinking about it already or have just started because you got an academic assignment to write my high school essay about a future career. Either way, the topic is quite important to think about. And to bring some clarity to it and make all the mess in your head a bit more understandable, we’ve prepared some guidelines.
Consider Career Services and Professional Guidance
If you’re completely lost and don’t even know where to start, see if there are career guides at your school. A lot of institutions have such experts that help with career preparation. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment, there’s nothing wrong with asking a specialist for help.
During the appointment, you’ll find out what you actually like. Plus, the representative will guide you through the colleges, vocational and career schools, and other opportunities. It’s wise to take them if you’re a career-oriented person. It never hurts becoming really good at something. Analyze all the opportunities according to the notes you’ll take and detect what resonates the best.
Do Some Self-Analysis to Get to Know Yourself
A lot of us pursue career goals because our parents told us they wanted their child to be a doctor, lawyer, etc. This is a very common situation all around the world, and oftentimes we don’t even ask ourselves what we want.
Get to know yourself. Analyze your interests, write out things you love doing, and think which of those might become your potential career. You should feel the path right away, whether it’s IT, linguistics, or even military.
Also, think about your skills and habits. Social skills, discipline, when you’re the most productive. All these things will bring you closer to the answer. If you don’t know what to start with, go online and find self-assessment services.
Find Out More About Different Careers
What you dream about might be not what it seems. It’s great to be knowledgeable about different careers and “try them on” during your research. Nobody says you’re going to get one job or one career for life. While the choice should be made after serious consideration, feel free to try different shoes on.
First of all, read about the careers that interest you. Find interviews of people who are experienced in the field and see what they say. You’ll find out about the pros and cons of the career, what pitfalls there are, and what to do to get started.
You will also get knowledge about the wage range and what you need to get the first job. There’s a lot of information online, just make sure you find a source that is reliable. Official accounts and YouTube channels should help a lot in your research.
There might be a career you don’t even know about yet that may become your golden opportunity! Keep researching, and something will catch your eye and maybe become the final choice!
Don’t stop with the online search, you can reach out to your friends, relatives, peers, teachers, etc. for advice. Let them tell you about their careers, companies they work for, what they like, and what they don’t like.
Create a Plan for Your Future Career
During the search, there will definitely be something you’ll love so much you decide to try and pursue it. Make a plan, mentioning at least the initial steps on the way to your ultimate goal. Write down the following things:
- What education and training you will need;
- The list of colleges, courses, schools, companies, etc. in your field;
- The estimated amount of money you will need;
- Available scholarships that will help you cut the expenses;
- Contacts of career guides, college representatives, etc. and have them on hand at all times.
These things will bring you to the first step: calling everyone and finding information. Contact coaches and guides to find out if the chosen field is really what you need. Contact colleges, career schools, courses, and find out more about what they teach and which is the right option for you.
Also, think about the skills you will need beyond education. Develop self-discipline, analyze your working hours and find out when it’s the best to learn, improve communication skills. There’s a lot of stuff to do and a lot of goals to achieve. And this way will be very exciting!
Tips on Achieving Career Goals
Here are some useful tips for you:
- Think into the future, where you want to be in 5, 10, 15 years;
- Set smaller, achievable goals and get to each of them step by step;
- If you fail at something, try considering it a valuable lesson;
- Don’t take things too seriously, especially criticism; you don’t want to develop anxiety;
- Work hard but know your time to rest; it’s better to work a little slower than to have burnout.
You have a door to a wonderful world right in front of you. Start exploring different careers, get to know yourself. Find what you love to do and what will bring great profit in the future. And you’ll definitely succeed!
