When you were a child, chances are you’ve been asked this question so many times: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” While it may be a simple, typical question, it’s not so simple anymore as you get older and older. Career exploration can be a daunting task in itself already. How many job opportunities are there? What do these jobs entail? What do you need to be successful at these jobs? Most importantly, are you even ready to start working? Here are some ways to find the right career path for you.
Learn More About Yourself
Before you dip your toes into the world of work, you can try starting with yourself. Part of career exploration is exploring oneself such as your personality, interests, values, and abilities (Chen et al., 2021; Kleine et al., 2021). By understanding more about yourself, you can know what you can do and what you want to do for your career. You can even go beyond that and figure out what kind of workplace and work experiences you desire. This process can make you more focused and directed which can help motivate you for your career exploration (Kulscar et al., 2019).
Take some time to reflect and ask questions about yourself. What are some of your interests? What are your beliefs and values? What are the things you’re good and bad at? Who are you as a person? What kind of people or places do you like to be around? Is there a certain impact you want to make on the world? Continue asking yourself these questions as you explore different careers.
Speak to a Career or Guidance Counselor
If you need more information about yourself and how you integrate it with your career, you can always ask a counselor for help. Counselors can assist you with your self-exploration by asking guided questions and administering personality and ability tests. They can also connect you with resources and opportunities to expand your learning like mentors, groups of professionals, educational materials, and more (Chan, 2018). Speaking to counselors can not only help you explore your career options, but they can also motivate and encourage you to do so as well (Kleine et al., 2021).
Research About Jobs and Companies
The world of work consists of many aspects, including the long list of existing professions, employers, training, education opportunities, and more. There are so many possible career paths that it can make it hard to decide on just one. It can also be hard to make a choice when you have little to know information about your career options (Kleine et al., 2021; Kulscar et al., 2019). However, by doing your research, you can narrow down your options and be more equipped to make a proper decision.
Start by listing jobs or companies that you’re interested in. Read print materials, scroll through the web, or ask relevant people about them. You can gather information such as the nature of the work, what the work experience is like, what are the company’s values and culture, what has that company achieved, and many more. If you want to expand your scope, try reading career magazines or attending career fairs at your school.
Attend Internships and Career Courses
Do you want to learn more about what the job is like? Or do you want to expand your skill set? Internships and career courses are perfect ways to get hands-on experience in the world of work. These can give you more insights on the nature of a job or an employer which can help you make your career choices down the line (Cheung et al., 2019; Kulcsar et al., 2019). You can even learn more about your own interests and abilities in relation to work. Try enlisting for career courses online or at your school. You can also find internship and training opportunities on job search sites, social media, or from your friends and family.
Reach Out to Others for Support
At the end of the day, you’re not alone in your career exploration. If you ever need more help, you can ask your family and friends for support (Chan, 2018; Kleine et al., 2021). They can give you advice and solve problems related to your career based on their own experiences, and they can give you opportunities to explore your options. They can also help you plan and prepare for your future career. Having people with you to navigate this new stage of your life can help you feel more confident and ready to join the world of work.
Career exploration can be stressful especially when you’re just getting started. There can be even more pressure when you feel like you must make a commitment. However, there’s no rush! Career exploration is a lifelong process. As you navigate through the world of work, you may learn new things about yourself. Your goals can even change as you grow up. So, take your time in exploring and eventually you’ll find the perfect career for you.
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References:
Chan, C.-C. (2018). The relationship among social support, career self-efficacy, career exploration, and career choices of Taiwanese college athletes. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 22, 105–109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2017.09.004
Chen, H., Liu, F., Wan, Y., Ling, L., Chen, S., Ling, H., & Gu, X. (2021). Career exploration of high school students: Status quo, challenges, and coping model. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 672303. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672303
Cheung, R., Jin, Q., & Tam, T. (2019). Assessing the impact of work internships on career development among university students in Hong Kong. Asia Pacific Career Development Journal, 2(1), 16-22. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332605023
Kleine, A.-K., Schmitt, A., & Wisse, B. (2021). Students’ career exploration: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 131, 103645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103645
Kulcsar, V., Dobrean, A., & Gati, I. (2019). Challenges and difficulties in career decision making: Their causes, and their effects on the process and the decision. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 116, 103346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.103346