This question must have taken you to a
world of fantasies. As a child, you must have imagined yourself as a pilot soaring in the sky, a doctor striving to save humanity, a detective
solving a crime. Later in your life, you may have wanted to emulate
those who inspire you, for instance, a famous actor, a genius scientist,
or a brilliant sportsperson.
However, now, the answer to this question is not an idealistic or speculative musing but a vital issue to ponder on.
It is time to choose a career where, you think, lies your future growth,
the realization of your aspiration, fulfilment of your personality, and
most importantly- the prospects of your productivity, satisfaction, and
happiness.
Difference between job and career:
Before embarking on a journey to choose a career, it is essential to
understand the difference between a job and a career. Though jobs and
careers are considered synonymous and interchangeable, there is a
subtle difference between the two. A career is not merely a job; there is
much more to it.
job:
A job is the work one does to earn money. It may be
full-time to make a living or part-time to support a student during the
academic term. It is a short-term strategy and does not necessarily
require a professional degree or future planning. On the other hand,
career:
A career is a long-term journey based on one’s passions, future growth,
and personal advancement. For a career, one needs a certain level of
education, a professional degree, or, at least, a definite skill set.
The first thing you should do while choosing a career is to make
sure it interests you something which brings you satisfaction and
happiness. You will be more successful, fulfilled, and productive if you
are enthusiastic about your chosen path. If you feel you are passionate
about science or fashion designing or literature or astronomy or
business, then opt for it without caring what others choose. Many
students choose a particular field based on prevailing social trends, the
insistence of family, peer pressure, or lack of information about other
choices, not because of their genuine interest in that field. Ultimately,
after some time, they find no motivation to continue. In the long run,
this lack of motivation leads to dissatisfaction and negative emotional
experience. Every field offers potential growth, success, and satisfaction
if you excel in it by putting your heart and soul into it. Your personality type and your values also determine the choice of
career. Everyone has certain personal values which mould his or her.
preferences. For some, it is independence, and for others, it is
recognition or leadership. Some wish to help humanity, and others
desire intellectual, scientific, or artistic achievements.
Your career decision:
decision should correspond and complement your values, suiting and
matching your personality type. For example, an extroverted person
finds a social, customer-oriented workplace more appealing. In
contrast, an introverted person may be more at ease in a career that
requires less social interaction and more independent analytical tasks.
Engineering may be a good field for someone who likes to do practical
work in the field.
The next step in your pursuit to choose your career is to identify
your strengths and weaknesses. It is essential to know if you possess
the required skills to pursue your preferred career.
For example, an extroverted person
finds a social, customer-oriented workplace more appealing. In
contrast, an introverted person may be more at ease in a career that
requires less social interaction and more independent analytical tasks.
Engineering may be a good field for someone who likes to do practical
work in the field. The next step in your pursuit to choose your career is to identify
your strengths and weaknesses. It is essential to know if you possess
the required skills to pursue your preferred career. For example, you
may like computer science and want to make a career in it, but the
study of computational algorithms necessitates solid and logical skills. Similarly, good knowledge of accounting is needed if you aspire to be a
chartered accountant. Likewise, if you are interested in the visual arts,
you should be creative and artistic – attributes that can be displayed
through your work. You may choose a career only when you are sure
that you possess the required skill or you will be able to master the
needed skills.
There are many aptitude tests available online that can
help you to reach a suitable decision. Make sure that your abilities and
interests are compatible with your intended career path.
consulting for your career:
Sometimes, we have a very idealistic and unattainable perception of
our dream career. Therefore, it is always helpful to talk to someone
who has experience in the career you want to pursue. By consulting a
veteran of the field, you may gain valuable insight into the particular
field’s expectations, procedures, difficulties, and rewards.
For instance,
if you are interested in pursuing a career in academia, then it would be
appropriate to approach your teacher to guide you towards your
intended path. He or she may be able to tell you about the institutions,
processes, and some helpful tips to achieve your goal. Talk to an army
officer or visit a recruitment centre to know more about life in the
forces and the demanding selection criteria if you dream of joining the
military. If possible, attend career counselling seminars or seek the
help of a professional career counsellor. He or she may not only be able
to help you to choose your career but may also guide you through the
admission process with suggestions for suitable institutions, methods
to obtain scholarships or inform you of the eligibility criteria of financial
aid if need be.
Most of the careers require a university degree and an extensive
period of studying or training. It is always wise to know about the
admission criteria of various institutions that offer such degre
Nowadays, almost every university has a functional website
detailed admission-related information is available. Most of the
universities conduct their entrance test, but some also score. Visit the websites of different universities to f
with the format and content of the test.
For example, if you want to be
a doctor, you should know the test format for admission to medical
universities. It is advisable to prepare for the test subjects before taking
them. Visit libraries or search on the internet for the books and
relevant material for preparation. Take mock tests offered by many
websites to identify priority areas you need to work upon. Finding your
dream career is not merely a wish, but it requires hard work.
commitment, and the right attitude.
achieve our goals. It is also necessary to remain realistic about other
However, sometimes, despite our genuine efforts, we are unable to
potential opportunities and have a backup plan. This does not mean
giving up on your dreams. Instead, it simply means to have a serious
retrospection, and if required, redesign your goals.
It also means
reviewing your strategy and making an effort with new vigour, more
experienced, and first-hand insight. Life is a sea of opportunities;
explore these opportunities until you find the one that suits you.
of Every individual has an untapped and undiscovered talent; each one
you has the potential to grow. You only have to identify the field or
career where you can successfully optimize your true potential. Not
everyone is destined for the same career or the same path.
There are roads less travelled by, a thousand different paths to choose from. Have
faith in yourself, have a clear vision of your future, put yourself through
an honest assessment, and strive with the help of an unwavering
dedication towards your work. If you have all these things, then the
world is yours to seize, and all the people are waiting for you to shine.
