It is said that ‘Do not look for jobs but build your careers’.
Career building involves Career Planning. Planning is a critical process. It should be undertaken very carefully. This is a decision of a lifetime. Every student should plan his or her Career path prudently. This entails a number of steps:
Step 1
As a first step, one should analyze one’s aspirations and objectives, their fields of professions which are satisfying or rewarding financially and emotionally. For example, one might like to travel, or do cooking or work for the society…
Step 2
Then one should select and narrow down one’s options to careers based on their areas of interest. For example, Journalism, Travel guide, Chef, social worker, etc.
Step 3
The next step should be a decision based on one’s monetary aim. Undoubtedly, money is a great motivator.
Step 4
These objectives clearly defined, one should then do researches on the kind of educational or professional skill requirements for one’s chosen options. This should always be done while keeping a clear focus on one’s aptitude, personality traits, strengths and weaknesses.
Step 5
The next logical step is to set out to obtain the required skills and training. If any specialized degree or certification is required, one should work towards attaining it.
Step 6
After completing one’s education, one should aim at trying to get placement assistance from one’s University or looking out for opportunities in one’s specialized field. Networking with people belonging to that field could be a valuable resource.
Step 7
Initially, one will get an entry level position. However, one should try opting for a position in which one can train for one’s dream position. A great way to do that is to actually perform the assigned work diligently and learning the intricacies of the trade in the process. One should be careful not to project an image of someone who switches jobs very frequently to climb up the career ladder.
Step 8
A periodic review one’s career path is essential. Sometimes, with exposure and experience your priorities and interests may undergo a change. Due to constant technological changes too, some new, specialised careers might emerge in one’s field of work and one might find oneself to be more suited for that change. Any career path should have that flexibility.
Stress Busting
If I say an average Indian is stressed…I am sure most of you will agree. Though it’s a Global phenomenon, things are much worse off in India. Narrowing it down to the stress levels of students and their parents, a study revealed that India has the highest rate of suicides in the age group of 15 and 29 years. Yes, the years when students begin to specialize in their field of study and choose and build a career for themselves.
After discussion with students, the reasons for this stress, which become apparent, are: Fear of exams, fear of failure, peer pressure, uncertainty about future, etc. This fear is not because of competition and pressure in schools alone. To a great extent, it is also generated from the expectations and reactions of people in one’s immediate social contact, such as parents, friends, relatives and neighbours.
The worst is the pressure from parents. Children can’t relax at home as parents themselves are a cause of stress. No doubt, they all mean well. All parents want the best for their children. Unwittingly, though, even with this noblest of intentions, they create tremendous stress for their offsprings.
Under the Indian Education System, a student must score well to excel in life. Keeping this fact at the back of their minds and imagining a perfect picture for their child’s future, parents force their children to study all the time. They drastically reduce the children’s playing, internet and television time and forget that these activities are major stress busters for the young ones too! The fear of failure is ingrained in the parents’ brains and can frequently be sensed in their behaviour. The children also try to do their best to fulfill the wishes of their parents.
And failure to do so, drives them towards becoming loners and depressed. Eventually, many, unable to cope up with life, are driven to drugs and even attempt suicide.
Nonetheless, this discussion is not about the causes of stress, but the ways to overcome them.
Here are a few suggestions:
a) We must understand that a failure in an exam is not the end of life. Human beings deal with failure in professional life too. So why such a hue and cry on failure in an exam?
b) Parents should be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their children. If not, meeting a psychologist or a career counselor is a good idea. Do not shy away from it. They can suggest the most appropriate streams or careers.
c) Parents should aim at helping their children choose a career that is right for their child, rather than forcing their own personal choice of career onto the child. This kind of support also leads to reduction of stress levels for both.
d) A student’s time should be well balanced. There should be proper allocation of time for studies, health and leisure. Parents should guide their children to do so.
e) A student should be well-motivated. Parents should be inspirational for them. The environment at home should be such that a student can look up to parents during stress.
f) A healthy body has a healthy mind. Exercise regularly. It will keep you de-stressed. Going out for a walk, meditation or yoga could be great options.
g) Music is a great stress buster. If you agree, go for it and enjoy! Music can bring peace to your mind.
Welcome Message
A Story Begins…
If you are a student, parent, professional and especially Indian my careerlogue is for you…When I was young, I had dreams in my eyes but didn’t know how to achieve them and there was nobody to look up to.
But today, things are different. I can help people to achieve their goals and be happy…So come and lets join hands and move ahead ‘TOGETHER’.
WELCOME TO MY CAREERLOGUE