Choosing the right career By Palesa Modingwane

Choosing the right career for you

More appropriate for “Teen Zone” magazine or “Free 4 All” school newspaper

Rational

These days there are so many different career choices to choose from, and the more the merrier. However, it can get really confusing and extremely frustrating. I remember when I started varsity, I was not too sure if journalism was the right career for me, but I still went ahead with it, looking back though I do not see what other career choice I would have had, so, I do not really regret doing journalism. Not everyone experiences the same luck.

Dr Fortunate Lushaba, a well-known social worker who has participated in an episode of relate, the show on SABC1, stated that giving yourself some time as a high school student to do some research and go through the trial and error of it all, “everyone knows how tough it is to choose a career, everyone except our parents, just be patient with yourself and know how to speak to your parents accordingly” says Lushaba.

This does make a lot of sense; many parents often push their students into doing courses that are not suited for them.
Making a decision about which career path to pursue is a very difficult one, and can haunt you for the rest of your life, this decision really can make or break you.

Lushaba also stated that students also follow their friends when it comes to making decisions about their careers, or seem to see other flourish in a career and automatically assume they would to. “Another common factor in choosing a career is the influence of money, students nowadays choose to rather follow a career path just to get money, and there is nothing wrong with that, however it is not only about that, you do not want to wake up every morning and dread going to work” said Lushaba.

Speaking to your parents, and teachers, particularly L.O teachers will help you narrow down your options, and this is something students never think of doing, even I did not think of this when I was still deciding.

Choosing the right career for you

Choosing the right career is never an easy task, you get so confused and frustrated, that at time you end up making the wrong decision.

Always bear in mind that you are not alone, your parents want you to succeed as much as you want to be happy. Being in grade 11 and matric, you sometimes relax apply, and go with the flow, at times you stress so much that you lose focus, or you do not act at all because you assume you have got time.

To all matriculants and grade 11 students, breathe, focus, know and understand who you are. This is the most critical time of your life but remember this is your life and your decision to make. Here are a couple of tips to get you through:

·         Speak to your parents, teachers, or older siblings if you have any: It is really important to remember that you are not alone. Also speaking to someone whose career interests you is also not a bad idea, maybe a lawyer, an engineer, even an actress, whatever rocks your boat. Get more information regarding what career you may be interested in.

·         It is your decision: yes, speaking to others may influence your decision, however, bear in mind that it is your future and your life, do not make any decision that will eventually make you unhappy.

·         Take your time: a gap year is hardly ever advised by anyone, but may do some good. If you need the time, then take a gap year and discover yourself, and what your passions are.

·         Embrace your individuality: do not just go with the flow and pick the same course your friend picked simply because you do not know what to do. Get who you are first, then get to know what you want.

·         Check your academic records: by doing this, you will realise which subjects you excel in, also, you will realise which subjects you enjoy. Also look at the activities you do during your free time that might also guide you.

Dawn Rosenburg McKay, a career planning expert states in an online article titled “choosing the right career” sourced on www.careerplanning.com says “your first order of business is to learn as much about yourself as you can, if you think you know all there is to know, you will definitely be surprised by what you will discover through a self-assessment.”

As previously stated, take time, make the decision when you are good and ready, until then, live, breathe, and work hard!!