Career is not something you can rush to as it is a defining element of your achievements. It's the bedrock of your success and will determine how far you will go in life. One of the primary driver of success today is finding your strength and focusing on using them. Your strength are those personal characteristics that allow you to perform at the very best.
I remembered as a young and fresh student in graduating class in secondary school days, several questions /options cross my mind as to which is the right career to pursue. I seems clueless as I further asks the elderly around me and they all told me to follow my passion /hearts. I wonder and I began to ask my self some critical questions as to which career to pursue because I can't afford to fail at something.
So many people are in jobs they don't like today because that haven't found the answers to that question "why am I pursuing this career? " and because everyone is good at a few things and does them, many talented people float in the pool of mediocrity and lack real success.
1. Why did I want to pursue this carrer: Always ask yourself why you want to pursue a certain career as you evaluate which choice is right for you. Don’t let the opinions or expectations of others sway your decision. Ultimately, your career choice is solely yours
2. Where do I want to live? Some jobs are more readily accessible while others can only be performed in certain locations. For example, you will probably need to live in a rural location if you choose to work as a park ranger or farmer, and you may want to live near an urban area if you plan to pursue a finance or fashion career. Plan carefully to ensure you can work where you want to live.
3. How much money do I want to make ? Different careers provide different monetary rewards. Even though salary shouldn’t be the main factor in choosing a career, your paycheck can play a role in your quality of life and where you live. Consider your earning potential as you narrow your career options.
4.What education or training do I need? Certain careers require advanced education and financial investment. For example, you may need eight to 12 years of education and training to be a doctor, but you could earn a hospitality management bachelor in four years. Think about the time and money required to pursue a career as you make your decision
5. What are my values? Everyone has values or things that are important to them, such as financial security, social justice or work-life balance. These values can help you decide what type of career to pursue. Here instance, consider a career that pays well if you value financial security, and consider a 9-to-5 job if you want to achieve work-life balance.
6.What are my interests? The activities you enjoy doing in your free time can give you insight into the careers that would be satisfying, fulfilling and fun. To figure out your interests, ask yourself: What hobbies do I enjoy?Do I prefer spending time indoors or outdoors?Do I enjoy working with people, animals, data or books?What activities would I miss the most if I could no longer do them?
7. What are my skills? Right now, you possess skills that can help you succeed in the future. Think about your hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills - skills you’ve acquired through study, such as culinary arts or computer programming. Soft skills - the people and life skills you possess, including teamwork and time management.
8. What are my talents and strengths? From the time you were little, you demonstrated talents and strengths that make you unique and can help you succeed in your chosen career. In fact, Sir Ken Robinson, author of The Element, Out of Our Minds, says that: You owe it to yourself to ensure that there’s some part of your day or week when you’re doing what comes most naturally to you and makes you feel at your most centered and authentic. If you don't know your talents and strengths, make a list of everything you’re good at doing. Your family members, friends, teachers, boss and mentors can help you write this list that you will use to narrow down potential careers.
9.What is my personality? Your personality is the way you think, feel and behave. It can be an important part of your career, so consider several aspects of your personality as you think about your future. Are you a leader or followers? Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Do you prefer to cooperate or compete with others? Do you enjoy helping others or prefer to empower them to do things themselves? Are you a thinker who focuses on ideas or are you a doer who takes action? Are you a creative and artistic person or do you thrive with structure and routine?
10. Are there jobs available in this career?
I will like to end this article with a quote by the famous great Albert Einstein and I quote him " Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing that it is stupid"
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