On completion of one’s school career, one of the most important and crucial decision you would have to make is to decide on a career. This could be a stressful period in your life but it is one you and you alone should make. Yes, it is true you will seek advice, but at the final flip of the coin it is only you.
The major difference between choosing a career versus a job is that a career is independent to any company while a job is a specific position at an employer. As a school-leaver you need to decide on a career before deciding on a job as this would give you a sense of direction, thereby allowing you to focus on your job search.
Look at the demands for a job and how you may differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack of job seekers. You need to understand what your role will be in the business and whether you share personal values and goals with the employer. Students should ensure they maintain their social lives outside of school. Employers often look for people who will fit well into a team, who maintain interests outside work and who show they are capable of balancing work and life.
Career tests are a must especially if you are considering multiple careers and have not yet decided which career to enter into.
These tests can provide you with the opportunity to make decisions about your feelings in order to get a better understanding of yourself. The results of such tests can then be discussed with a career counsellor or anyone you feel will be able to assist you in making your decision. Remember these tests should be taken as a suggestion and not to be the deciding factor in your career decision process.
An option is to plan to take a gap after finishing school and may be travel abroad. This can assist you to find yourself and also to discover new careers. You need to be confident that you will choose a career that you would enjoy. Do some research first to establish what you really like and not what you think you would like.
The bottom line is not to decide hastily and please, do not succumb to peer pressure or pressure from you family go into a career you know you do not like. It is your career and you must decide what will be best for you.
