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Career Path Decisions

Part One

How did they make it?

Find two people who have excelled in a career you’re interested in pursuing. Do some research (media interviews, company profiles/bios, LinkedIn pages, etc.) and chart the career path they pursued to reach their current position. Use the following as a guide for your inquiries:

Where did they grow up?
If you can find out, what jobs did they do while in school? What skills did they acquire from these jobs?
What university or apprentice program did they attend? What did they study? Did they complete any post-graduate studies?
What role did volunteering and/or community service play in their career path?
Did job-shadowing or internships play a role in their career advancement?
What networks or associations were they/are they part of? How might these networks have helped their career?
Have they completed any additional training courses to augment their skills?
What jobs have they held on route to their current position? How have these jobs helped build skills and experience, leading them to where they are today?

Once you’ve completed your research, answer the following questions:

How are the two career paths alike? How are they different?
Is one path more linear or easier to follow than the other? Has one person led a more interesting life (in your opinion!) to get to where they are and what can you learn from this answer?
What skills do they both possess? What did they both do to acquire these skills (both got the same degree, both interned before getting the job, etc)?
In what way do they each impact or shape our world? Remember, everyone and every job impacts and shapes our world in some way.
What can you learn from both career paths? Are there skills or opportunities you must acquire or pursue if you want to emulate their success? Based on the differences in their career paths, what room exists for you to be creative in pursuing your career goals?
Do you find their impact on our world to be meaningful? If not, how could you pursue the same opportunity and find more meaning in your work?

Part Two

Reflect on the career path you’re considering and what you learned in part one to answer the following questions:

List the skills you must have for the career you’re interested in pursuing. Do you have them? How can you strengthen these skills, or add them if it’s a skill you don’t currently possess.
Make a rough list of your life goals. (What does happiness look like? What relationships do you want? Where do you want to live? What’s required to pursue your hobbies? How do you want to give back?) Will the career you want to pursue help you realize these goals? If not, is this the right career path for you? Or are you willing to alter your life goals to pursue your career of choice?
Is your career path realistic? Are you likely to get your dream job or will only a few succeed? Will the industry exist in 10 or 25 years? Do you need a back-up plan?
Research and map out what an average day looks like in your dream job. Is the average day as appealing as the job’s best days?
Are there local businesses or organizations that require volunteers or hire interns or offer apprenticeships for the work you’re interested in pursuing? List the opportunities that exist to help you gain experience.
What education is required for your career choice? Is the schooling appealing or possible? What’s the cost? What grades are required for acceptance? Are scholarships available? If so, what’s required to win one?
Is there someone in your community that has your dream job, or holds a position close to it? Would they be willing to mentor you? Would they allow you to job shadow them for a day or a week?
Is there an opportunity to build connections with and learn from those working in your chosen profession? Are there professional associations in your community that you can join? Are there relevant clubs or social media groups you could participate in? Are there community groups (like Rotary Club) that host events you could attend?
Does your school councillor have any resources or information that might be helpful?
Are you sure you’re committed to this career path? What do you like most about it? What do you like the least? What will make your dream job difficult to attain? What about the career will allow you to grow and prosper? Will this career give your life meaning and joy?