CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREER

As I observed, most of us are helpless after completing certain standards in our academic life. Though I was asked to write an article on “I Nam leh Hiemngamna”, I was convinced to write on this as I found it more relevant in our society. Sorry for that. I don’t mean that I am the perfect person to change & write up my own choice of topic. Hope our editorial board bears with me.

A wrong person in the right place or a right person in the wrong place? As the cliché goes, most of the career aspirants stand at crossroads after doing their graduation/diploma/master. Most of the time it is too late to make a choice.

An intermediate from biological sciences for example, after hacing failed in the examination takes up arts subjects. Such approaches generally end up in frustration and unemployment.

So, please select a professional approached for the selection of your career. Use the following questions for a better vision of your present and future:

· What do I want to become in life?
· Why do I want to become that?
· Where will it take me?
· When can I achieve that?
· Who will help me in that?
· How will I reach there?

Only your interest matters

The pursuance of a career starts from intermediate or 10+2. After doing +2, one must ask him/herself what he/she should do next. One must measure oneself on the SWOT scale. That means….

Strength – In what respect one is stronger than other aspirants. What quality does one possess (even if one has more physical strength than average), may be command on language, voice quality, ability to express or a good handwriting even!

Weakness – Access what your weaknesses are. Try to overcome them. Don’t let these weaknesses overcome you; rather make use of it as a stepping-stone to volt into the higher steps.

Opportunities – Explore the opportunity around you. Are you a local person specializing in a particular field? Can you be the first person to grab the opportunity? Whatever it may be, try to grab it.

Threats – Asses threats also. Not only professional hazards but also others like lifespan of a particular trade, competition from other aspirants, legislation against any kind of trade or job and veracity of employer etc. If such threats exist, what is your alternative plan of action?

Only SWOT analysis of your career is not sufficient. It should also be accessed in the light of CROW.

Concrete – You are not supposed to build castles in the air. Keep your vision clear. Know where you are going to be employed.

Realistic – The profession or career by you should be realistic based on analysis and hard facts.

Objective oriented – A well-defined objective should guide your approach. “Lets do it, and see the outcome” approach should be avoided.

Workable – The chosen field by you should be full of working potentiality.

Self-Assessment

Self-assessment is very easy. At any given night, before going to bed just note down details of your day’s activities like what have you done today, what time you devoted on each activities and what were the outcome of those activities. Note down all the positive and negative aspects of the day’s activity.

Let us review your plan of action: -

· Assess yourself on SWOT basis.
· Identify your field of interest.
· Adopt pragmatic and positive approach.
· Stop daydreaming.
· Try innovative ideas.
· Be sure what you are doing.
· Do not make decision in a hasty manner.
· Job satisfaction should be your priority (not becoming an overnight millionaire) and that means you should become what you always craved for. This develops interest in job and this improves your efficiency and in turn, it gradually elevates you in your career ladder.
· There is always a certain element of failure in your endeavor, so keep an alternative plan ready.
· Create and nurture tangible and intangible treasure of knowledge, inculcate a habit of collecting, preserving and studying books and materials.
· Don’t be bookworms; gather information wherever it comes from.
· Learn to listen and listen to learn.
· Be honest with yourself.
· Be systematic in everything you do. Divorces the attitude of “takes it easy, it will be fine.”

Your interest in your job makes you satisfy and your employer happy. This increases your efficiency and in turn, your career prosperous. Just go for excellence in whatever you know or are interested. Make it a career of your choice, not chance.