Success The Turning Point

Author(s): Rajendra Rakhecha
Publisher: Rajendra Rakhecha

Page 86

• Identifying your skills, goals and interests
• Finding a job, course or training program related those skills, goals and interests
• Developing a strategy to find work or training in your chosen field
• Carrying out your plan
Remember: your career plan is not set in stone. You can change it if you need to. As a matter of fact, a good career plan should grow and change as you do.
How Do I Create a Career Plan?
Here's a brief overview of the resources available while planning a career
Online Career Planning Resources - There are lots of websites that provide step-by-step guides, tips and tools for planning your career. Here are a few examples:
MyFuture - The MyFuture site has a self-guided, step-by-step career planning process called My Guide, which helps you assess your goals, explore career possibilities, clarify your career direction and set a plan of action. The MyFuture Career Development page explains these career-planning steps in detail. To use MyGuide, you will need to register, but it's free to do so.
http://www.myfuture.edu.au/
aLife - aLife is a great source for career ideas, packed with profiles featuring video interviews with real people doing their jobs. You can watch specific job profiles, pick one at random or select one based on your interests or personality traits.
http://www.alife.net.au/
Job Outlook - Career Quiz - Try this quick quiz to get a general idea of some of your likes and dislikes about work. Are you creative or a people person? Do you prefer practical or technical work? All these things help you get a sense of the types of jobs or training programs that best suit you.
http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/careerquiz.aspx
Career Counsellors
Alternatively, you could seek assistance from a qualified career planner. If you're still at school, book in time to talk to your careers teacher, check what kind of career counselling services are on offer.
To find out more about Career Counsellors, check Career Counselling page. http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/Studying+%26+Training/Assistance+While Studying/Career+couns
elling/
Finding the Right Career
Whether you're just leaving school, finding opportunities limited in your current position or, like many in this economy, facing unemployment, it may be time to consider your career path. Regardless of your reasons, the right career is out there for everyone. By learning how to research options, realize your strengths, and acquire new skills, as well as muster the courage to make a change, you can discover the career that's right for you.
Finding meaningful work in today's world
You may have fallen into the trap of thinking the sole point of work is to bring home enough money to live comfortably. While adequate compensation is important in any job, it's not the whole story. If you are unsatisfied with what you do every day, it takes a toll on your physical and mental health. You may feel burned out and frustrated, anxious, depressed, or unable to enjoy time at home knowing another workday is ahead. What's more, if you don't find your work meaningful and rewarding, it's hard to keep
86