How to Choose the Right Career Path After Graduation
Hey there, recent grad! Feeling a bit lost about your career path? Don’t worry, we've got your back. In this post, we'll walk you through some unique strategies to help you choose the right career path after graduation. Let's dive in and discover how you can find a career that's both fulfilling and rewarding!
I felt like this adorable munchkin at SO MANY points in my journey.
Let’s Get You Some Info:
We’re going to talk about some useful things today! Primarily:
Gain experience: Get hands-on experience to find out QUICKLY what kinds of jobs you like and dislike.
Self-assessment: Discover some of your hidden passions and align them with potential career paths.
Explore unconventional paths: Consider industries that are growing rapidly.
Develop a side project or hobby: Uncover hidden talents and find a career path that truly excites you.
Set clear but crazy goals: Stay focused and motivated by setting achievable goals.
Leverage online courses and workshops: Enhance your skill set to be more competitive.
Play with my embedded free table below: Determine exactly what you want with all the logical info you’ll need in one place.
If that seems overwhelming, I’d recommend you check out my My Pathfinder mini-course as I walk you through it step-by-step and provide an interactive table with hundreds of jobs and their information and rankings.
My Story:
I remember feeling overwhelmed after graduation, unsure of which career path to choose. I remember wondering several times if I picked the wrong major, and what my next steps should be? Why is there no compiled information on jobs out there? I didn’t want to look at each of them one-by-one (hence why I made My Pathfinder).
Today, I'm pursuing my dream career and helping others do the same! So LET’S GO.
Gain Experience:
Experience is often the key to unlocking new opportunities in your career. Seek out internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities in your areas of interest. These experiences not only build your resume but also give you a taste of what working in a particular field is like. I remember wondering if school was more important, or experience? I’ve come from years in your future to tell you that EXPERIENCE IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
Different kinds of work-related experiences not only build your resume but also provide valuable insights into your chosen field. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things – you never know where they might lead!
Self-Assessment:
Self-assessment is more than just reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses; it's about understanding your quirks, passions, and unconventional traits that make you unique. Here are some unusual tips to help you dive deeper into your self-assessment:
Space Exploration: Take a close look at your living or working space. The way you arrange and decorate your environment can reflect your innermost desires and interests.
The Three-Word Game: Ask friends or family to describe you in just three words. Their answers can provide a fresh perspective on your personality traits that you might not have considered.
Dream Journaling: Keep a journal by your bed and jot down your dreams as soon as you wake up. Dreams can reveal subconscious desires and fears that can guide you towards your true calling.
Personality Playlists: Create playlists of music that resonate with different aspects of your personality. Notice which songs energize you, make you introspective, or spark creativity. These can reveal hidden aspects of yourself.
Explore Unconventional Paths:
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Some career paths might not be obvious but can be incredibly rewarding. For example, consider industries that are growing rapidly, such as tech or renewable energy, even if they don't directly align with your major. Many skills are transferable, and sometimes the perfect job is where you least expect it.
Once you have a clearer idea of your interests, start researching different careers. Look into examples of job descriptions you’re interested in, their required skills, and typical career paths. Websites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor are great resources for this. Don’t just focus on the job title; dig deeper to understand what the day-to-day work involves.
Our My Pathfinder mini-course can help you explore these unconventional paths and identify opportunities you might not have considered before.
Feeling unsure about exploring unconventional paths? Our mini-course can help you identify opportunities you might not have considered before. Use code ACHIEVEMORE for 10% off]
Sometimes unique paths open up only when we’ve gone as far as we think we can in any direction.
Develop a Side Project or Hobby:
Sometimes, your true place lies in a hobby or side project that you enjoy outside of your regular studies or work. Consider turning this passion into a career or using it to supplement your income. For example, if you love creating digital art in your spare time, you could explore opportunities in graphic design or freelance artistry.
After graduation, I dabbled in various side projects and hobbies, which actually lead me to where I am today, helping others achieve their dreams by teaching them how to turn their hobbies into successful careers. By exploring your passions outside of your main studies or job, you can uncover hidden talents and find a career path that truly excites you.
Setting Clear but Crazy High Goals:
Setting goals that seem almost unattainable can be incredibly motivating and push you to achieve more than you ever thought possible. When you aim for the stars, even if you fall short, you'll likely land among the clouds, far surpassing what you initially believed you could achieve. These kinds of goals force you to think big and challenge yourself, leading to personal growth and development. When you set crazy high goals, you either shock yourself and succeed, or you fail but get much farther than you normally would’ve and you’ve learned a ton MUCH faster than you would’ve otherwise.
My Perspective:
In my own journey, I've found that setting crazy high goals has been instrumental in my success. While pursuing my master's degree in architecture, I set a goal to design a building that would not only be environmentally sustainable but also a work of art that would inspire those who interacted with it and encourage growth and love between everyone. This goal seemed rather impossible based on my abilities and my timeframe, but it drove me to really explore and push the boundaries of what I believed was achievable. As a result, I not only completed a project that exceeded my expectations but also gained far more skills and confidence in my abilities.
By setting crazy high goals, you'll not only push yourself to new heights but also discover strengths and abilities you never knew you had. So, don't be afraid to dream big and set goals that may seem out of reach. You might just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.
My mini-course offers a step-by-step guide to help you set ambitious yet achievable goals that will propel you towards your dream career. Sign up today and use code ACHIEVEMORE for 10% off. Dream big, achieve bigger!
Leverage Online Courses and Workshops:
In today's digital age, online courses and workshops offer a wealth of knowledge and skills that can enhance your career prospects. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of courses and useful job certificates taught by industry experts, which boosts your resume immensely, doesn’t take much time, and you’ll learn a range of valuable skills for honestly a good price.
There are countless online courses and workshops that can help you gain new skills and knowledge. Enhancing your skill set can make you more competitive in the job market.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Useful Free Logical Table:
This is a small portion of one of the three career-focused interactive tables I’ve made for our 2 online courses. There are many things to consider when figuring out your career, and having so many of them in one place will help you SO much.
Go ahead and play with it, get some insights from the free 30 jobs researched here!
Important Bits to Remember:
Choosing the right career path is a journey of self-discovery and growth. By setting clear but crazy high goals, exploring side projects and hobbies, leveraging online courses and workshops, gaining valuable experience, and engaging in deep self-assessment, you can unlock your full potential and find a career that aligns with your passions and values. Remember, it's okay to dream big and aim for the stars – even if you fall short, you'll land among the clouds, going way beyond what you thought you could do.
Ready to embark on your journey to a fulfilling career? My mini-course offers a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the challenges and uncertainties of career exploration. With practical tips, actionable strategies, and personalized guidance, you'll gain the confidence and clarity you need to pursue your dreams. Sign up today and use code ACHIEVEMORE for 10% off. Your dream career awaits – seize it with both hands!
