Steps into a career Choice

Keeping in mind that there is no perfect career for one single person, it then follows that there are a lot of options out there for any one individual. However, it would be unrealistic to imagine that all those options are suitable for you. Career planning has three steps that you will cycle through and repeat throughout your working life. By following these steps, you can make career decisions that are right for you. You'll know what your options are and what it will take to reach your goals.

• Know Yourself:

You need to take a realistic look at your strengths, weaknesses, and interests. What do you know about yourself? What can you or can’t you do? What are your goals in life? What can help or hinder you from achieving these goals? Be realistic about your geographical, economic, social and family related constraints. What do you like to do? What subjects appeal to you? What activities do you enjoy performing? What are your basic work values?
In answering these questions, you may start with a general area of interest such as – “I like working with people”, or “I like physical work”, or “I like working with data” – then you can get more specific.

• Explore your options:

It's hard to know what you want to do "when you grow up" if you aren't even aware of the possibilities. At this stage, you need to come up with jobs that fall in with your interests, values and experiences. To help you come up with the jobs, think about people you've read about or met who have interesting jobs, or use the career quizzes that are available online. If you are in school, see a career counselor and talk to your teachers. Discuss your career and educational plans with your parents or other interested people. In exploring your options you need to consider issues that can affect your plans and take appropriate actions to accomplish your goals. Consider:

• What do you need to study?
• What schools offer the training you need?
• How will you pay for school?
• Are you ready to search for a job?
• If working, how will you balance your work and going to school?
• How will you manage family or relationship commitments

• Consider how to get there

This does not mean that you plan your whole life right now. It helps to find out what kinds of courses or classes you might need to take. This information can be obtained through informational interviews, career counselors or through the Ministry of Labor office in your area.Once you focus on possible jobs, try to really dive into them by doing either of the following:

• Volunteer somewhere that's in a similar field.
• Look into a paid or unpaid internship.
• Shadow someone to see a day-in-the-life.
• Research, by visiting the Library, Education or Labor offices or useful website.
• Find a mentor who can give you perspective and advice.

Informational interviews would come in handy here.
Even if you decide not to pursue a related career, you'll have gained valuable experience and gone a step further in enriching your knowledge base.