Plan Your Career

09/02/2020

Plan your Career in the High School

Not many people are fortunate enough to know their career goal from the outset. Often students are heard saying that their parents want them to become doctors or engineers. Some may have the dream of becoming an air hostess or a fashion designer, but don’t think they have it in them to become one. Some are in total dark thinking about their limited choices because of subjects they take. For some their dreams keep changing with every new person they meet. Some of them don’t even go ahead and choose a career which they like due to lack of confidence and fear of failing. So what is one’s aim in life or what one should become?

Believe it or not, if you’re in high school right now, you’re at a great point in your life. There is a whole wide open highway awaiting you. This is the right time that you start thinking about your future. You need to make some initial plans towards your career path.
Here are some important things that you need to remember in your days ahead.

Dream And Imagine Your Ideal Career: The opportunities today are in abundance .take time to think about what you like to do. There are different types of jobs and careers in a wide variety of industries and there are also other off beat careers that are just emerging. Even if you are fairly sure of a career choice, it is always advisable to explore all your options. Don’t let any barriers hold you back from finding the perfect career. Examine your likes and dislikes and take a few career-assessment tests to expand your vision of potential career paths.

Don’t Overwhelm Yourself: Challenge yourself in high school and get as much possible as you can. Take challenging schedule of classes, learn more, stay focused on getting good grades, but don’t overload your schedule or yourself. Be absolutely sure that you also have time for yourself in your schedule.

Gain Some Experience – Volunteer: Along with the education you also need to get an exposure which could give you more options as you set out in pursuit of your chosen career path. There are now a growing number of “earn while you learn” for students. This would look good in your college applications and on future job applications and resumes. But always remember that school and grades have to come first, so only work if you can balance your schedule and manage your time.
Education Is Important. Get as much education as you can. The highest paid jobs are the ones which require a post-graduation. Take advantage of all the educational opportunities coming your way. If financially possible look for summer exchange programs and educational trips to other cities and even abroad. Utilise your school breaks to learn something new like a math enrichment workshop, voice modulation or a public speaking course.

Talk To People For Guidance: Build a network of adults whom you know and are willing to assist you in your educational and career path. Ask them about their career and college experiences. This can give you a deep insight of what you are planning to do. And for careers that truly interest you, consider asking each person if you can shadow him/her at work. You could also consider conducting informational interviews at the same time as the shadowing to learn more about jobs and careers.

Follow Your Path: Don’t spend too much time worrying what other people in your high school are doing or letting their opinions about your dreams and ambitions affect your decision. Just remember that everyone must follow his or her own path in life. You will develop, mature and grow at your own pace and so does everyone. So don’t feel the need to rush to make a decision now but don’t use the fact that you have plenty of time to make a decision as an excuse not to at least start learning and researching potential career options.

Keep Your Options Open: Circumstances change overnight. It is great to have an ideal plan but keep an open mind and keep your options open. Some of you already know, or think you know, what you want to do in life. It’s good that you have planned your career path, but don’t become so myopic that you lose sight of other interesting opportunities. There are career paths that have not even started today that may be big in five or more years.

You Control Your Dreams And Ambitions: Students often feel pressure to a family member’s career path. But the worst thing you can do is choose a career to please someone else. Don’t let anyone control your dreams and ambitions. You will be lost later if you choose a career path in which you had no interest. Have the courage and talk it out, you can actually have your parents encourage you to follow your dreams.

Early Planning: It’s never too early or too late to get organised, so begin making your plans. No matter where you are in high school, now is the time to plan the remainder of your high school years as well as your plans after high school. Research your options for colleges. Start your preparations for various competitive exams. Fill up any gaps in your plans while striving for better grades.
Never Stop Learning: Read, grow, and expand your mind. Don’t let opportunities to learn and experience new pass by. The more you read, the more you’ll know. Knowledge is power. No matter where you go after high school, never stop learning and growing.
High school is a real test and a transition time, as you move into adulthood and the more adult issues of college, work and careers. This is the time of growth as well as a time of challenge. Have fun, but get the best education you can to position yourself to take advantage of further educational opportunities.