LET'S GET YOU HIRED!
DECIDING YOUR CAREER CHOICE
Passion vs Practicality: The Do’s and Don’ts “Follow your dreams!” “In this economy?”
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orn between doing the right thing and doing right by you? Even if you feel your current career path is the best decision you’ve made, it is normal to have doubts from time to time. The key is to toe the line between choosing your passion and making practical decisions. Nor Atikah Abdul Wahid outlines the do’s and don’ts in doing just that.
DO YOUR RESEARCH Researching about your chosen career path isn’t just about which job title sounds nice on a business card. There are many aspects to consider, such as the level of education and experience required for the position, salary expectations and job viability, especially in the wake of the global pandemic. If this sounds overwhelming, seek out advice from lecturers, career counsellors and even, senior students. They can respond to your concerns with their own perspectives and experience, enabling you to imagine your prospective future better. Don’t just hit the books – hit up the people with the know-how, too!
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DON’T BECOME ATTACHED TO FUTURE PLANS If you’ve done your homework above, great! But planning for the future must also include being prepared for the unexpected. Not long ago, many around the world were affected by COVID-19 by being forced to change career paths or even change jobs. Make no mistake, it will be a long while before the world recovers from the aftermath of the pandemic, thus it’s important to be more flexible when it comes to your future plans. While it’s great to plan for your future career, you should also allow yourself the possibility of finding your true calling later in life. Whether you heed the call, however, is an entirely different story.
DO EXPLORE DIFFERENT MODULE PATHWAYS If opening up to different career paths sounds too extreme for you, consider exploring different module pathways within your department. Most higher education institutions encourage their students to explore various specialised subjects and sign up for classes from different departments before settling to a chosen career path. This not only gives you an overview of potential career choices but it also equips you with a diverse set of knowledge. For example, if you are a Psychology major, your range of potential career choices vary from forensic scientist to human resources executive. The choices you make while studying could easily change the direction of your career forcing you to make drastic changes.
HOW TO GET HIRED 2021
25/02/2021 11:28 PM
