How to start exploring all your career options
When you were asked to choose a career, how did you respond?
You could be one of the lucky few that are focused on a set path that requires little figuring out such as medicine, law, or a highly technical field.
Whereas, you might have various interests but are generally unaware or confused about what career path to take, let alone how to plan for how you will get there.
Considering the abundance of careers out there, it’s a recipe for feeling overwhelmed and you probably don’t have a lot of real-world experience to reflect upon to assess your passions and strengths.
So, what use can you make of the information you actually have? By re-framing that good ol’ “choose a career” question to “how will you explore careers”, you can get to thinking about possibilities instead of narrowing your thoughts into decision-making mode.
Below are some factors to aid your thinking about exploring career possibilities.
- Problem-solving – what are the problems that motivate and excite you? (Primary education? Developing sustainable technologies? Improving animal welfare?)
- Structured or flexible environments — does routine and specific ways of working appeal to you, or do you thrive when presented with unpredictability and change? How you manage your study time and general life planning can supply insights into your preferences.
- Independence vs. collaboration — do you enjoy deep thinking and working at your own pace, or are you energised by working in a team?
- Location – would you prefer living in a different location and/or moving around regularly?
- Extrinsic motivation — what types of rewards are important to you? Influence? Money?
I’m guessing that you won’t know all the answers to these, and that’s perfectly ok. What matters is that you are practising keeping an open mind. Careers are a lifelong journey of discovery, and as corny as this might sound — it’s true! What you think you are setting out to become today will change and evolve over time.
Talking over texting
Now you’ve done some introspective thinking, you can move to the step just before networking and making moves; I’m talking about talking to people. Preferably, having conversations with others who have been where you stand (or sit), and are years ahead of you in their own career journey.
Getting advice
Lucky you! Getting to go to university means you have access to people with serious levels of knowledge and wisdom. And there’s nothing these people enjoy more than helping those who are seeking knowledge and wisdom — and that means you!
You can start seeing what is possible with help from our Career Advisors, They are specialists in helping students and recent graduates with their career questions. They will consider your unique situation and help you uncover your skills, values, and can support you with tools and kind words to help you take control of your career development.
It’s your time to shine!
Networking with employers
Hopefully, that heading doesn’t scare you off — remember, employers have been where you are and have lots of insights about what their industry and business can offer graduates. Besides, employers are keen to attract people just like you.
But where to find employers? You might already have a job and if you are comfortable with your employer, chat with them about their career. Ask about their mistakes and successes and let their intel give you some thinking time about what to do, and what to avoid.
Many of the University’s Clubs and Societies offer members industry events during the semester where you can meet employers. You can also listen to them speak on panels about their experiences all the while enjoying free nibbles!
The biggest career planning events are right under your nose at our University and include Careers Expo and Grow Your Career Week. These events are designed to get you talking with employers about opportunities across industries, occupations, and the recruitment process. Through your career exploration lens, you can spend this time practising your mini-interview skills by introducing yourself, and talking about your degree and skills. More to the point, you can ask the company questions to help give you an idea of what it would be like to work with them.
Getting feedback to get the ball rolling.
Regular conversation over coffee with someone who can help to develop your thinking about organisations, the job market, and how to navigate your career sounds invaluable, right? The fact is, mentors, can help you with figuring out how to play to your strengths in the workplace, and offer advice about study pathways, roles, and industries that you might never have considered otherwise.
Importantly, an industry mentor comes with career insights and provides objective feedback for your growth and development. It’s about getting feedback that’s specific to your situation, impartial, and dependable to build up your confidence.
So, how can you find a mentor at university?
The Career Access Mentoring Program can help you access a quality industry mentor. A mentee (the person to be mentored) are matched with a mentor with a similar academic background, career, or work experience. Mentors are industry professionals, some are University alumni, who will meet with their mentees over a minimum 8-week period. The Program is available to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of study, and postgraduate students.
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So, by making a start with appreciating your potential, steering the development of your skills and talents, and understanding how to access opportunities is — it’s going to be easier to land a graduate role. Also in the future, when you meet those inevitable unexpected life changes.