Finishing school is an exhilarating feeling–after thirteen years of structure you’re suddenly free to pursue your dreams. It can also be a scary and daunting time, as you try to decide upon the direction in which your life will take you. There is a lot of pressure on high school-leavers these days to know exactly what they want to do for work, and if you’re one of the many school leavers who is undecided as to which field they want their career to go in, this can be a lot of pressure. There are a lot of different levels and options for study in Australia If you’re looking for direction or trying to decide on career path, this article will hopefully give you some guidance in developing a plan.

A: Seek Career Advice

When we talk about seeking career advice we’re not talking about asking your parents what they want you to study or talking to your friends about which industry they think you should get into. Of course, these type of advice can be very valuable, and may well hold the answer to your perfect career path, but there is a more impartial way to get career advice that is both balanced and based on careful analysis. We’re talking about visiting a career advisor. You might be able to talk to the career advisor who worked at your high school, or seek a professional service. Many career advisers are trained psychologists who can provide you with a series of questions and tests to ascertain your suitability for different jobs or careers. These tests and interviews may reveal aspects of your personality you were previously unaware of that would make you perfect for a career you’d never considered.

B: Research

Once you’ve found a career path that interests you, it is time to embark on a lot of research, what is required to get into the field? what is the average salary? what are the opportunities like in your hometown? What kind of options does the particular field provide in terms of travel, lifestyle and specialisations? These questions will eventually form the basis of the plan you’ll make for the future. At this point, it is vitally important to remember that the decisions you make now don’t have to be permanent. So many people put themselves through undue stress when it comes to career decisions. The average young Australian has three major career changes in their life so don’t feel that the choices you make now will limit you for the rest of your life. You always have the power to drive your own dreams!

C: Training

To get into most careers there will be some amount of training. It might be a case of on-the-job training or an apprenticeship, or you could be in for 6 years of uni. For a lot of people who are still undecided, a business course is an incredibly versatile training option, as it prepares them for a range of different careers, including being their own boss!

By Andrew C Johnston