Setting off on your career journey
Definitions of career have changed over the last 15 or so years to keep pace with the rapidly changing nature of work. We often use the terms ‘career’, ‘job’ and ‘occupation’ as though we are talking about the same thing. But your career is something much larger than a job or an occupation.
Your career is the variety of experiences of learning and work (both unpaid and paid) that you undertake throughout your lifetime. If you want to take charge of the development of your career, you will need to actively manage your learning and your work.
Developing your career is not an easy or a short process. Our careers are influenced by many things, such as our age, our gender and our ability/disability. Our careers are also influenced by our families and our cultural values. Chance can also play a part.
But it is up to you to plan, build and manage your lifelong career journey. You are the person best suited to make choices on the basis of your own skills, knowledge, interests, personal circumstances and preferences. However, you will not be alone. Be open to those who can help and support you along the way, and offer your help and support to others as well.
You will need to be flexible. In the 21st century, very few people will have a job or occupation for life. In this ever-changing environment, you will need to keep learning to keep pace. The good news is that it is very difficult to go through life without changing, growing and learning. It is important, however, that you actively manage this process as much as possible, rather than just letting it happen.
As sited at: www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au
