Deciding on which career path to enter may seem daunting, but it is also an exciting new beginning that you should embrace. Remember that the path you choose could account for the majority of your working life – investing your time and effort in making the right choice here will pay dividends later on!
First, set aside some time to focus on choosing a career, when you are alone and stress free, perhaps at the library or your home. If you’re short of inspiration, a good way to start is to make a list of your skills and interests (what are you good at? what do you enjoy? what is important to you? what makes you happy?) – writing ideas down and comparing notes with friends and family can often lead to paths that you may never have considered.
With a short-list in mind, you can begin your research – there are a wealth of resources online and in libraries. Essentially, you need to answer the following questions:
– What does the job ask of me? e.g. time, travel, focus, responsibility
– What are the good points?
– Do these outweigh the bad points?
– What else is important to you (e.g. friends, family, hobbies)? Will your new career infringe upon these?
– Is there opportunity for personal development and career progression?
– What will the job give me aside from financial reward?
– Am I being realistic?
Essentially, the more research you do, the better informed your decision will be!
Once you have narrowed your career options down, try getting some work experience to gain some first hand insight. A single day working within an organisation can be far more insightful than anything you will find in books or online (and you’ll meet some great contacts too).
Look at your job as a goal to aim for and enjoy the journey along the way. Good luck!