A
post-secondary education entails skills training in an apprenticeship position and
a college or university education. It is structured in a way to offer more job opportunities, a better chance for promotion, increased job satisfaction the
chance to earn an income throughout your career and the chance to keep studying
what interests you. There are numerous post-secondary options such that it is
difficult to make a decision on a given
career option. It
is important to carry out career
planning to help you identify your
dreams, goals, interests and strengths. This
will help you to align dreams, goals, interests and strengths with your career
choice making it easier to choose a school and a program.
Deciding What to Study
Keep Academic Options Open
The
courses taken as majors in secondary school are important in determining one's career direction. It is important to take
majors that will lead to a variety of career options in areas of interest as
guided by the goals set. Seek the advice of teachers, parents and counselors
to establish the areas of interest that would shape your career. It is
important that your career choice is
determined by interest, as it is what you may be required to pursue for the
rest of the life.
Find the Right Fit
Carry out an assessment of
your interests against the abilities and achievement levels. Check the
evaluation test results and to determine the ability to pursue a given career
field. Talk to student counselors and teachers as well as seek information on school choices
on college placement websites. For example, if
your child continually struggles with experimentation of issues despite
motivation, extra help and hard work, then occupations reliant on experiments, will
not be a good fit. A person who likes
babysitting kids should consider seeking careers related to pediatric care.
Have a Realistic Plan
Make
a list of realistic potential choices, considering the competition,
opportunities and abilities. Choose an area that you are confident and
competent in so that you are not overwhelmed by the competition by your peers. Use online tools like my next move
to explore a variety of career options available. For instance, you may have an
interest in air transport but may be lacking in the ability to pursue piloting. After much research, you can become an
air traffic controller or an in-flight
attendant.
Research the Labor Market
Seek
information on salaries, job prospects and working conditions on the identified
jobs of interest. However, it is risky to choose a career based solely on
economic projections and job prospects. This is because unforeseeable events may
cause a major impact on the job market, such factors as politics, shifts in the
economy, natural disasters or technological advances. Selecting a career based
on interests and reasonable job prospects leads to job satisfaction. In addition, this will helps you work in a career
that makes you fulfilled and satisfied also enabling you to pursue
opportunities of similar interests making you a better employee or employer.
