Mar 11th, 2015 
By: Making the right career choice is one of the most difficult things to do in today world which has an information overload problem. With each career and information related to it available on the tips of our fingers through simple internet searches, it has become even more difficult to pick the right career for oneself. Choosing a career, contrary to popular opinion is not a simple process, but actually involves very complex planning. However, by taking certain steps and actions and executing them diligently, one can zero in on the right career fit for oneself. So these are some of the things that one necessarily ought to do before selecting a career.
1. Self-Assessment
The process of selecting a career begins with one’s self-assessment. One may feel that self-assessment may not be required as one already is aware of one’s strengths and skills, but sometimes knowing that alone is not sufficient. You may be aware of your strengths and skills, but you may not be able to figure out how different strengths and skills come together in a combination and make you fit for a particular career path. Hence, it is ideal to undergo self-assessment tests with various career counselors. Most coaching institutes in the country have career counselors who will identify your strengths and skills and determine your suitability for a particular career. Coaching centres also will take you through aptitude tests to help you determine what you are most suited for.
2. List of Occupations
Once the self-assessment tests are complete, you will get an idea of the personal skills and traits that you are most strong at. A test will reveal whether you have strong analytical skills or strong verbal skills or strong quantitative or logical reasoning skills or any combination of those. Plus it will also tell you about the type of questions and knowledge that you are most comfortable with learning. Based on such information, you will have to then prepare a list of occupations where such skills are most required. If it is found that you are strong with logical reasoning and verbal aptitude, then a career in law may be suitable. If you are found strong with quantitative reasoning and verbal aptitude, then a career in the finances and commerce will be apt for you and so on. Based on such data, prepare a list of occupations that you may choose in the future.
3. Talk to Industry People
Once, you have the relevant list of occupations in your hand; then the next thing to do is to gather more information about each such occupation in your list. The most convenient way to research on various occupations is to conduct online searches. However, that alone will not be sufficient. You will have to go out and seek people who are already working in those occupations. You will have to interact with them and ask them questions regarding their jobs and their careers. You can ask them questions like, “What is it about this occupation that you like ?,” “What are the negatives associated with this occupation”? “What is the scope of personal improvement and growth in this occupation”? You may form your own questions depending upon the particular knowledge that you seek.
4. Gain Practical Exposure
Once you have gained information about occupations through interacting with various people in the industry, then you will have to further narrow down the list of occupations that you made earlier. With this, it will bring down the number of occupations that you may choose from. With a second narrow list of occupations, you can now think of gaining practical experience and exposure to each such occupation. While interacting with people in the industry, enquire with them regarding the possibility of you joining as an intern or mentee under that person. It is important to volunteer for work for free or intern for short durations at each such occupation, as such practical exposure will better equip you with relevant information. Further, it will also help you assess yourself in a real live work environment and whether you could imagine yourself in such a role in the future or not.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a small step. Therefore start your career by first examining and assessing yourself, right now, today itself!