Things To Consider When Choosing Your Career
When it comes to planning for a new career, it's important to not only look at the present
, but also the past. Who you were ten years ago may not be who you are today. A lot may have changed when you compare your present with your past. But there are things from your past that may overlap with your present life. Such things include your strengths, personality, experience and education.
Here are a few ideas when it comes to things to look at when it comes to the "external factors" of your life and your career.
External Factors:
Opportunities-Positive external conditions that you do not control but can take advantage of when it comes to planning for a new career.
Possible opportunities include:
o Positive trends in your field that will create more jobs (e.g., growth, globalization, technological advances)
o Opportunities you could have in the field by enhancing your education
o Field is particularly in need of your set of skills
o Opportunities you could have through greater self-knowledge, more specific job goals
o Opportunities for advancement in your field
o Opportunities for professional development in your field
o Career path you've chosen provides unique opportunities
o Geography
o Strong network
Threats-Negative external conditions that you do not control but might be able to decrease or eliminate when it comes to planning for a new career.
Possible threats include:
* Negative trends in your field that diminish jobs (downsizing, obsolescence)
* Competition from your cohort of college graduates
* Competitors with superior skills, experience, knowledge
* Competitors with better job-hunting skills than you
* Competitors who went to schools with better reputations.
* Obstacles in your way (e.g., lack of the advanced education/training you need to take advantage of opportunities)
* Limited advancement in your field, advancement is cut-throat and competitive
* Limited professional development in your field, so it's hard to stay marketable
* Companies are not hiring people with your major/degree
As human beings, we find it relatively difficult to identify our weak areas. But this assessment helps to identify areas where we may need to improve. If you identify a skill that you know is in your chosen field, but you are weak in that skill area, you need to take steps to improve that skill. Past performance appraisals and even your grades and teacher comments from school provide valuable feedback.
By taking time to assess the various positive and negative external factors in your life, you can gain a clearer perspective of where to go from here. You can take this information and use it as a road map that can help you take advantage of opportunities and avoid or lessen certain challenges you may face as you start the journey down your new career path.
by: Catherine Trebble
Warning-listening To Naysayers Can Damage Your Career Choices The Mommy Factor-what About My Career? Planning Career: Research, Decision, Action, Success Career Planning: What Is Important To Know For Career Planning? Career Planning: Some Prompts For Successful Career Can Zenyatta wrap up her amazing career Undefeated Career Planning: Expectations And Disappointments How To Increase Career Opportunity Using Career Plan Get To Know Main Steps In Successful Career Planning Boost Your Confidence And Career With Great Outfits Career Planning And Career Building: A Step-by-step Strategy Make Your Career Planning Process Easier: A Guide To Follow HCL CDC- Grooming IT students today, for a bright IT career tomorrow!