How do I define a career path?
A major issue that most people face after graduation is how to define a career path. This question arises from the vast difference between what universities offer in terms of subjects and the
practical life and job market. People often struggle to devise a specific career plan, leaving them feeling lost. They may end up working in jobs outside their field due to neglecting self-development. In this article, I will provide you with all the information you need to define your own career path.
What is a Career Path?
Most individuals engage deeply in their studies, closing their eyes to the important professional terms that can assist them on their journey after graduation. A career path is defined as the journey an individual takes step by step to reach a specific goal, developing and enhancing professional experiences according to the person’s field of work and its branches.
How do I define my career path?
There are several factors that need to be considered in defining
your career path, including:
Company Type
First, you need to determine the type of company you want to work for, and there are two types: startups and established companies. If you are a recent graduate, you should consider startups because they offer more opportunities for training and employment for graduates or those without experience. Startups embrace new ideas, while established companies in the market are a great option but require many qualifications and years of experience. Therefore, focus on startups and work on developing yourself.
Explore Your Interests
Each specialization has many fields and branches of work, and you may prefer one over another based on your knowledge.
However, when you enter the job market, you may find that it does not suit you. Therefore, engage yourself in the market first, train, and interact with people in your field to discover your skills and determine what suits you best.
Then, begin to pursue this specialization in which you will excel. Another important question that may arise is how do I know the specializations? I will answer this in the next paragraphs, so don’t worry.
Create a Career Plan
After identifying your specialization and understanding its requirements, develop yourself through diverse training and courses. Set small goals within your chosen field and start working towards them to reach your ultimate objective. Ensure that with each step, you uncover skills you didn’t know you had.
For example, if you want to learn web design, start with HTML, then move on to CSS, and finally PHP, all in sequence. Sequencing is crucial in determining your career path, as learning one language before another is essential.
How to Determine Specialization in Your Career Path
Research Thoroughly
You need to thoroughly research and read about each specialization in your field to determine what suits you best. For example, if you are a programmer and want to work in programming, you will need to choose between web design and development, mobile application development, or desktop applications. And of course, in each specialization, there are many branches that you will only discover through thorough research.
Follow the Experts and Ask Them
Fortunately, most experts are active on social media platforms where they share their work and insights. You can directly ask them questions or follow the summary of their experiences to determine your path.
The Importance of Career Paths
Career paths may vary across different specializations, but they share common importance, summarized as follows:
1. Personal Development: Pursuing a career path allows you to
focus and excel in a field that you love and excel in. It eliminates the risk of scattering your efforts and wasting time on pursuits that don’t align with your skills.
2. Keeping Up with Industry Trends: Following your career path enables you to easily stay updated with the latest
developments in your field. It helps you adapt to changes and measure your progress accordingly, ensuring you stay
relevant in your industry.
3. Gaining Professional Experience: By defining the companies where you’ll train and the skills you’ll learn within your career path, you acquire valuable experience in your field of work.
Negatives of Not Choosing a Career Path
There are many drawbacks that cannot be compensated for when you fail to identify the career path you will pursue:
• Wasting long years, perhaps a lifetime, on pursuits that don’t suit you, as time lost is never regained.
• Mixing multiple specialties, possibly leading to professional failure.
• Slow progress due to not knowing the correct path that leads you to your goal.
In conclusion, I have provided you with an easy summary to identify your career path. As a final piece of advice, don’t let anyone else determine your path for you because you know your capabilities best. Yes, seek advice from experts, but let the decision be yours.