ALL SPM students would have received their SPM results by now. The STPM students will be receiving their results very soon.
This is the time of the year when every one asks you “What are you going to do next?.” You get free advice from not only your family members but also your relatives, friends and neighbours.
Father says:
Don’t be like me. Study hard and be a Doctor, Engineer, Lawyer or Dentist, etc. You will earn a lot of money and you will lead a happy life.
Mother says:
Whatever you do, you must get your salary at the end of the month. Only then you will be able to meet your expenses and take care of your family. Don’t waste your time.
Relative says:
Be a Life Insurance agent like me. You can drive an expensive car and own a big house. You don’t have to work for anyone. Just be happy working for yourself.
Neighbour says:
Do your own business. You can earn a lot of money. It is all your money. You don’t have to share with anyone. Running your own business is the best.
Friend says:
Learn music and be a musician. You can travel and see the world. You can write your own songs and sing in Clubs. You can have lots of fun.
Teacher says:
The in-thing now is Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Coding, Mechatronics, etc. The world is going digital. Choose a career in Computer Science.
In fact you will never be short of advice. Everybody will be so forthcoming with their advice. But please understand that everyone is only trying to help you.
Listen to all the advice that is given to you. Don’t be rude or be blunt. Thank them for the advice.
You need not follow whatever others say. You must make your own choice and be responsible for your own decision. During this stressful time you will be thinking, “How do I plan my future career?.”
Career Planning can be difficult. Many teachers don’t teach you in school. Many parents don’t teach you at home. Everyone presumes that you know how to do it on your own.
How do you plan your future career?
There is a simple career planning guide. You can try it. It has four steps:
Step 1: Discover your Passion
Step 2: Explore your Options
Step 3: Decide
Step 4: Take Action
You need to do it yourself. You can’t get other people to decide for you. Take a pencil and paper and sit in a quiet corner.
Step 1: Discover your Passion
You are a special person. You have your own strengths and weaknesses. You have your own likes and dislikes.
You know what interest you and what doesn’t. You have hobbies that you like and those you dislike. You have your own skills and talents.
In short, learn about yourself. Write down in a piece of paper about all the things you enjoy doing.
Step 2: Explore your options
Next, match your strengths with occupations. If you like drawing and painting, consider occupations such as graphic art, architecture, industrial design, etc.
If you like cooking, consider occupations such as Chef, Baker, Food Business owner, etc. If you like helping people, look at careers such as teaching, training, social work, nursing, caring and curing the sick. Once you learn about your passions you can explore about careers related to your passions.
Step3: Decide
You may have a very long list of occupations to choose from. Example, if you have about 20, first you make your choice according to your priority. Next discuss with your parents. They may support some careers and be against some other careers. Then, check with society if the careers are in demand. You can ask your counsellor or do some research online. Your list may get shorter and shorter. From the list, choose about 5 careers according to your priority.
Step 4: Take Action
Lastly find out the training required to enter this occupation. If you want to be a doctor you need to study Medicine. If you want to be an attorney you need to study Law, If you want to be a teacher, you need to study about education. You may need information on academic requirements, course duration, tuition fees, etc. Once you have all the required information, you need to apply and take action.
Career Tips
If you follow the steps above it will help you to make a wise decision. Of course there will be many obstacles along your way. You must learn how to overcome those obstacles.
It is not easy but you can do it.
Career planning is not an instant action where you can get an instant result. It may take many days, weeks or months.
Do not be in a hurry.
Take your time. You will make mistakes, but you will learn from your mistakes too. Good Luck! If you have a question on career planning write to: [email protected].
