When we reach school-leaving age, our world begins to change, as adulthood and responsibility looms and this is the time to start thinking about a career. This is probably one of the most important decisions you will ever make and getting it wrong will cost you both time and money. Here are a few tips to help you make all the right choices when it comes to selecting a career path.
- Follow your passion – Wherever your interest lies is where you should be focusing; remember you are going to be doing this work for at least 4 decades (less if you are lucky) so choose a career that has a high level of interest. If you are an IT freak, this should form the basis of your search for the perfect career; you could enter the field of AI (machine learning) or become a blockchain developer, or an SEO technician.
- Get qualified – The days when you could walk into a job interview and say “I can do this job” are long gone and employers are always looking for qualifications. If you already have a BA, then sign up for an MBA course (known as เรียนอินเตอร์บริหาร in Thai) (2 years), then you can apply for business management positions with some confidence. Take online courses that are relevant to your chosen career, the more academic qualifications you have, the better.
- Do some research into the profession – Whether you want to be a pro boxer or a truck driver, do some research into the work; there are online resources that will help you gain a deeper understanding of any profession or trade. It is important that you are aware of the pros and cons of any career; make sure there is a future for this type of work, you don’t want to join a dying industry that is being replaced with a new generation of technology.
- Define your strengths and weaknesses – This is an important step and when you know your weaknesses, you can put together a plan to improve, while also developing your strong points even further. Prepare your resume professionally and pay attention to detail when making any contact with potential employers, as image is everything in business.
It is important to understand how highly competitive the job market is at the moment and the sooner you start planning for a career, the better. Take your time when looking at potential careers and keep discovering more information and that will help you make an informed decision and enjoy a long and rewarding career.
