A practical ten-point guide to enable secondary school leavers to navigate the process of making informed career choices

With an abundance of career options available in the post-liberalisation Indian economy, it’s unsurprising that many school-leavers are overwhelmed, confused and uncertain about where to begin. Social pressure to make the ‘right’ career choice is intense, leading to anxiety and indecision.

Therefore, it’s important to empower adolescents to identify their interests and aspirations, and guide, support and encourage them to choose aptitudinally suitable and rewarding career paths. With right guidance, teens can navigate this important decision with confidence and clarity.

Here’s a practical ten-point guide to enable secondary school leavers to navigate the process of making informed career choices:

1. Self-assessment. Encourage teens to introspect, explore and identify their interests and strengths. They could start by reflecting on the academic subjects they enjoy in school, co-curricular activities they find engaging, and what values are important to them. Self-assessment tools such as personality/ aptitude and psychometric tests provide valuable insights into potential career paths that align with aptitudes.

2. Research. Urge school-leavers to research careers, industries and professions using the internet, books and informational interviews. Several websites, blogs, and career e-platforms provide comprehensive information about different careers, including job roles, educational requirements, and average remuneration. Encourage them to make notes and compile a list of careers that interest them.

3. Volunteering and internship opportunities. Emphasize the importance of acquiring hands-on experience through volunteering and internships in careers that interest them. Whether it’s volunteering at a local animal shelter or interning with a marketing agency, practical experiences provide invaluable insights into different career paths and opportunities to develop relevant skills and build professional networks.

4. Talk to professionals. Encourage teens to connect with professionals working in careers they’ve shortlisted. Informative interviews and job shadowing experiences allow them to ask questions, observe professionals in action, and acquire firsthand insights into the every day realities of different careers. Suggest they prepare a list of questions beforehand and follow up with a thank-you note afterward to express gratitude for the opportunity.

5. Consider personality type. Educate them that their personality type can significantly influence their career choices. For instance, introvert individuals may thrive in careers that allow for independent work, such as writing or computer programming, while extroverts may prefer jobs that involve interaction with others, e.g. sales or teaching. Encourage them to assess their personality type and preferences when exploring career options.

6. Explore non-traditional career paths. Advise teens to think outside the box and explore non-traditional career paths. With the dawn of the AI age and the gig economy, there are a plethora of opportunities in fields such as freelance writing, digital marketing, and apps development. Encourage them to explore their interests and chart ways and means to transform them into viable career options.

7. Take advantage of school resources. Remind teens to utilise resources provided in school, such as career counselling services, workshops, and career fairs. Participation provides valuable opportunities to learn about different careers and industries, as well as connect with professionals and potential mentors.

8. Consider future trends. Guide teens to scan future trends and emerging industries when exploring career options. Encourage them to research sunrise sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare technology, and artificial intelligence, which are expected to offer abundant career opportunities in the future. By remaining well-informed about industry trends, they can position themselves for success in rapidly evolving job markets.

9. Seek mentorship. Advise teens to seek out mentors who can provide career guidance. Whether it’s a teacher, family member, or a career strategist, their advice and experiences are invaluable.

10. Keep an open mind. Finally, emphasize the importance of keeping an open mind and being flexible throughout the career exploration process. It’s okay if interests change over time, and they discover new passions. Encourage them to be curious, proactive, and willing to venture beyond comfort zones as they navigate the world of career options.

Embarking on the journey of exploring career options is not just about finding a job; it’s about discovering oneself and leading rewarding professional lives.

(Poulami Sarker is a Kolkata/Siliguri-based parenting coach, career strategist and CEO of Dreams EdTech)

Also read: Introducing children to diverse careers