Choosing the right career can be equal parts stressful and confusing, especially when there are so many options available today. Because you’ll spend a significant amount of time at work, it’s important to find something that interests and motivates you.
Finding the right career takes more than just balancing what you’re good at with what you’re passionate about. You’ll need to consider goals, values, and work ethic. Some industries require on-site work, while others are desk-bound. Some jobs have erratic hours, while others have a fixed schedule. Luckily, narrowing down your career options can be done with these steps.
Assess and Explore Career Options That Appeal to You
The first step is to conduct a self-assessment of possible career pathways, starting with industries and possible job roles. Carving a career path solely based on passions may not be the best estimate at predicting how you feel about doing something in the future. It’s hard to know for sure if you’ll enjoy being a lawyer, scientist, or artist until you’re actually doing it.
Thus, noting the skills, values, and career objectives you’re positive about can go a long way in helping you list possible career options. Using self or career assessment tools like the RIASEC profiling tool by MySkillsFuture can be a helpful starting point in discovering your work values and preferences for types of work.
Also, PSB Academy offers a complimentary Identi3 Personality Profiling test to our students and alumni, which is a psychometric assessment tool that will help them determine the career path that is best suited based on their personality traits and how they can work on their strengths and weaknesses in anticipation of future challenges.
Find an Internship That You are Interested In
Internships are a great way to try out a variety of job roles you’re interested in. Not everyone graduates from university knowing what they want to do, and that is completely normal! An internship gives you exposure to different fields and positions, allows you to gain real-world experience, and improves your resume’s marketability.
Try out several different internships to get a feel of your options. While at your internship, make an effort to network with the employees there – they offer fresh perspectives, insights, and tips in the working world. International students will require a work pass for internship.
Conduct Informational Interviews
Having completed several internships and introspecting on your career preferences, you can begin conducting informational interviews. Interviews aren’t reserved for just hiring, they can also serve as excellent touch points for those keen on finding out more about different job roles and industries.
An informational interview can give you firsthand insight into the nitty-gritty of the role or industry you’re enquiring about. Make sure to access your network of professionals, as well as others on LinkedIn, to find the right ones to speak to. Take notes from PSB Academy’s Student Affairs and Industry Engagement YouTube videos for future planning.
Equip Yourself With The Relevant Skills
Finally, make sure you are fully prepared for what your desired role entails. It is prudent to work on gaining the knowledge and skills you’ll need to excel at your job. From certificates and diplomas to degrees, master’s degree, and professional short courses, you can work on upping the ante in your skills set through PSB Academy’s offerings.
The dedication to growing your skills can also help you broaden your horizons, opening up more job opportunities in various fields.
Narrow Possible Career Pathways With PSB Academy
With the resources available today, it is possible to pick up new skills and knowledge for different roles and industries much more easily than before. By working on a committed plan like the above, you can effectively narrow down your career choices to ones that fit you best. See how PSB Academy’s Career Services & Engagement Team can give you a nod in the right direction.
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