September 5, 2020 5 years ago leave a comment 774 Views Likes:
Career Decision Making is a process that explains the choices that a person makes when selecting a particular career.
This begins (albeit unconsciously) right from the time children indulge in role-plays as a Teacher, Pilot, Doctor, Lawyer, and other professionals they see around them.
They are often asked questions about their future career plans and many of them just reply with what comes to mind, the main critical thinking and decision making happens at adolescence.
Along with other skills, adolescents need to develop and sharpen adequate decision-making skills as many important decisions that would influence their adulthood are made at this stage.
Parents’ Desire/Parental Pressure: It’s very common for adolescents to tow the career path of their parents or the ones chosen by their parents. This might yield an unfruitful career part for them as adults in the long run because they probably did not go for what they wanted or is best suited for them, and on the other hand, it works perfectly for some. However, parents can guide their children when choosing a career but should not impose it on them.
Peer Persuasion/Pressure: Most adolescents want to do what their friends are doing and this is a very common factor. They believe that where the majority of their friends or people are, is the cool place, this way of thinking is responsible for many failed or below average careers.
Performance in the Past: This is an unjustified factor, some adolescents make career choices based on their past performances. You excelled in a subject in the past is not a guarantee that the career path is the best for you.
Personality Driven: For example, it is widely assumed that people who can argue well would automatically make good Lawyers. Though your personality can be a driving force in choosing a career, it is not that straightforward.
Financial Rewards: Many adolescents also consider how lucrative and financially fulfilling, a career is. This is not bad but it should not form the entirety of the choice.
Do a Self-Assessment: Know your values, interests, skills, personality, talents, and make a list of occupations that look good for you based on them.
Explore the Career Options: Make a list of the above career option, assess them, streamline into a shortlist, and explore them.
Deep Research: Make a research on the careers you have shortlisted. Get as much information as you can on them: their requirements, benefits, pay, courses, year of study, and employability.
Seek Parental and Professional Counsel: Seek counsel from your parents/guardians and counselors in school.
Make a Career Choice: After doing all of the above diligently, pick the occupation that you think will bring you the most satisfaction based on all the gathered information. Take your time before you decide. Also know that you are allowed to change the tour process when necessary.
Identify and Set Career Goals: Identify your short term and long term career goals that entail your goals for the next few weeks or months to years.
Write a Career Action Plan: This should entail every step you’ll take to achieve your short and long term goals. Leave room for unforeseen circumstances or barriers. Be distinct and intentional with this as it takes a lot of work and effort.
It is important to note that life is not very straightforward, things do not always go as planned, and sometimes, you think you have it all figured out but reality can be a setback. Do not exert unnecessary pressure on yourself, and do not compare yourself to others. Just work hard and smart, be focused, and be intentional with your goals, and the sky would be your starting point!
Cheers to a great future ahead!!!
