Important Tips for All Career Paths
Even in times of what most people would call “normalcy,” there’s always been a lot of pressure around making the right career decisions. The world moves fast, and it seems to be getting faster every day. Change is the new normal (although let’s be real, it was always normal), and it is the forever constant in life.
Every kid has had the question posed to them, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a great question to think on, for sure. But, what’s missing from the blanket question is advice to go along with the answers. Many people are never given key career tips to help them get set up for future success. So, to bolster career achievements early in a fast-paced world, here are three key tips many of us wish we’d known in school…
Career Advice Tip #1: Don’t feel overly pressured to choose just one career
No one really knows what jobs will be around in the future, or what certain jobs will even look like going forward. While there are some professional fields that seem better positioned for the proverbial long-haul, the future is, by nature, a fluid medium. This makes it very important to expose yourself to a variety of activities, concepts, and roles as your grow. It will help you to better determine what truly interests you.
What you decide to try early on in your life isn’t nearly as important as the variety of activities you take on. Dive in and try things like knitting, baking a cake, gardening, walking your neighbor’s dog, going to space camp, and making a fun website. Get out there and participate in assorted school and community activities, too. Being open, curious, and flexible are all keys to success. You can even leverage current technologies to explore various aspects of education.
You will soon discover that career changes are normal throughout your entire adult life, so it is also a terrific idea to spend time shadowing different people at different jobs, too.
Career Advice Tip #2: Always consider yourself a student, even when you become a working adult
Most, if not all jobs and career fields, require continued learning in some form. You aren’t done with education once you graduate high school, community college, or university. No matter what professional paths you find yourself on in life, learning is always essential to success.
Newton's First Law of Motion states that “a body at rest will remain at rest, unless an outside force acts on it; and a body in motion will remain in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force.” What this means in regards to education and career trajectories is that it is much easier to continue your learning if you stay in the motion of taking classes, consistently. It is better to have the mindset of a student throughout your entire career in order to advance your education, which in turn can advance your career towards better job prospects.
Career Advice Tip #3: Build Strong Social Networks
Friendships and positive acquaintances, both professional and personal, can open doors to all sorts of opportunities. Strong social ties can also help you better overcome life’s inevitable obstacles. It is always good to remember that tough times do occur, and it is not a reflection of you personally when they do. Having people around to help you, and also to give you a soft place to land when you stumble, can make a huge difference in life, overall. It can also greatly aid you in your continued pursuits.
Studies do consistently show that positive and stable relationships help us to understand ourselves better as people, and they help us to get the most out of life. Humans are social creatures, and having a sense of community is a sure way to optimal, personal wellbeing.
To learn even more about building strong social networks while still in school, be sure to check out Stride’s Podcast on How We Can Build Stronger School Communities.
Considering enrolling in a Stride K12 school, for further education and career prep options and experiences? The best time is always now!