Career

CAREER EXPLORATION AND PLANNING

Not Sure What Occupation is Right For You?

For an individual, choosing a Career in compliance with his abilities, skills, interests, etc may be difficult at times.

We found Students often in dilemma regarding which Career to pursue.

What is required is Expert Guidance after thoroughly understanding their potential, skills and interest.

Who can be better in such a Case, of course, Career Consultant?

Disha Nirdesh have experts in Career Counselling. One can search and Contact the experts in our Database.

What is Career Planning?

Career planning is a process. Begin by identifying your skills, interests, and other personal factors.

Next, explore opportunities. Then use what you have learned to choose an occupation that is

a good match. Career planning is a lifelong process of preparing to make not one but many

decisions. Making informed decisions, setting short and long-term goals, and taking the steps

to achieve these goals will give you a road map for a successful career.

Career Exploration and Planning Includes the Following Steps:

Step 1: Know yourself

Step 2: Know what is out there

Step 3: Make an informed decision – Assess your idea

Step 4: Create an action plan – How to get there

STEP 1: KNOW YOURSELF

The first step in career exploration is to discover who you are. You can do that by identifying your values, interests, and skills.

This information will give you a foundation for making career and life decisions. You need to know what you want in your work and life, and what you have to offer a prospective employer.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself

• What is important to me?

• What do I do well?

• What skills have I developed?

• What type of work environment would I like to be in?

STEP 2: KNOW WHAT IS OUT THERE

You need to know what occupations and opportunities are out there and what employment trends might affect your career planning.

Occupational Research and Labour Market Information – Why is it Important?

Once you have a list of occupations that interest you, you will need to find out more about them:

• What is the work actually like?

• What are the working conditions, hours, and wages for this job?

• What are the opportunities for getting a job in my area?

• Is the work seasonal, casual, full-time?

• What skills and experience are required for this job?

Recognize Opportunities – Know What Skills and In Demand

Disha Nirdesh will help you answer questions such as:

Where are the jobs?

What skills do I need to get hired?

If you are interested in starting your own business, labour market information can tell you which business sectors are growing and which skills are in demand.

Questions to Ask Yourself

The nature of the work(duties and responsibilities)

• Would I like doing this?

• How does it fit with my interests, values, and abilities?

Skills and experience

• What skills and experience do I have?

• How can I develop these skills or get experience?

Employment Requirements

• Am I willing and able to get the education or training I need?

Other Considerations (hours of work, environment, physical demands, etc.)

• How do the working conditions fit with my personal and family needs and values?

Employment outlooks

• What is the employment outlook (good, fair, or limited)?

• What are the factors affecting the employment outlook?

• What are the employment opportunities in this occupation?

• Are there opportunities to advance?

Potential employers

• Are there potential employers in the province where I want to work?

• Are these employers I would be interested in working for?

Average earnings

• How do these fit with my personal and family needs?

STEP 3: ASSESSING YOUR IDEA

Make an Informed Decision

Now what? Once you have information about your interests, values, and skills, and have considered how they fit with the labor market research you have done, you are in a good position to make an informed decision about which career is a good match for you. When making a career decision, it is important to look at your interests and values, abilities, and opportunities.

Interests and Values

• Is there a fit between my career (business) idea and my values?

• Will I be motivated and enjoy this occupation?

Ability

• Do I have the skills, abilities, and experience required for this occupation?

Opportunity

• Is there opportunity for employment where I want to work (or a market for my business idea)?

STEP 4: CREATE AN ACTION PLAN

Now that you have identified your career objectives, you will have to create a plan of action –

a road map to get you where you want to go.

Using what you know about your skills, abilities, and the experience required to find a job in the occupation you have chosen, you can set long- and short-term goals to help you achieve your overall career goal. These goals should include any education, training, and experience you need, as well as your job-search strategy.

It is important to realize that career planning includes more than “work”. Community involvement, volunteering, training and education, and personal experiences are also valuable components of your career path. As we live through transitions and changes in our lives, we will have to revisit, reassess, and revise our career goals.

Action Planning

• What do I need to do to realize my career path?

• What action steps do I need to take?

Goal Setting

Once you have decided on the career path you want to pursue, you need to set some clear and achievable goals to make it a reality. Consider setting goals for the day, the week, the month, three months (short-term goals); one to two years (medium-term goals); and three two five years (long term goals).

LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION

How Does it Fit into Career Planning?

The labour market is made up of employers and the workforce (people who either have a job or are looking for one). You can use labour market information (LMI) to:

• Understand the big picture – what the job-related trends are and where jobs are likely to be found

• Learn more about specific occupations (for example, how much do nurses make, and how many are expected to be hired in the next few years?)

• Identify the skills and training you need to get hired

• Help you plan for success

Where are the Opportunities?

Myths

Facts

You cannot get a good job without a university degree.

College diploma programs and trade certification are other choices that can lead to satisfying and well-paid employment.

Are You Trying to Make a Career Choice?

If you are, you have to consider two important things: what you need from a job and what employers need in an employee. This can be a challenge.

You have to know what skills an employer is looking for, and you have to figure out how to develop those skills.  That is why many people find themselves struggling to find success in today’s labour market.