Posted September 16th, 2020
By Kris Powers
I recently had the pleasure of talking to a few college-age students about career paths and options. There is an expectation that a career field will be chosen, the appropriate degree obtained and then a lifelong career will ensue. For fields such as medicine or law, this may be true. But for students exploring careers in business, the arts, and more, that career path may not be so straight. And not every career requires a college degree. Certifications can be the gateway to some fantastic opportunities as well!
Sadly, gone are the days of the “forever job”. I remember watching programs set in the 50’s where men went off to work every day to the same company for their entire working career. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) this is a thing of the past. I’ve tried to explain to my own children that nowadays, the average person will have 12 jobs between the ages of 18 and 52.
The truth of the matter is that there are so many exciting career opportunities out there. And many times, you won’t know all the wonderful possibilities of a position until you start. And oftentimes, you’ll need to try out a few different positions to find one that fits you best. Kind of like Goldilocks. You mustn’t be afraid to sample what is available. When I was in school, I had no idea of the wide variety of fields that would interest me. Through trial and error, I’ve come to find myself in a position I love to be in. And it’s not in the field in which I obtained my degree.
Every job requires different skill sets and all will include learning on the job. Depending on the size of the company you work for, your roles and responsibilities may be set or may vary upon need. In smaller organizations, team members must often wear many different hats. Employees in these situations will have an opportunity to learn many facets of the business. In larger organizations, your job may be in one department, and you have the opportunity to become an expert in that area by honing your skills.
Life is not a straight path, and neither should your career or work life be. Taking a few wandering trails is not necessarily bad, in fact, it can lead you to destinations you may not have known existed before. For example, those trained for a counseling occupation can parlay their expertise over to a career that involves interviewing, or moderating groups or sessions. Almost every skill you learn can be modified to fit many different situations.
Online learning is a fantastic option for those looking to explore. Students can access their courses day or night and fit their learning in around other commitments. Taking classes in a variety of subjects can often help you determine what fuels your fire and what doesn’t.
Why don’t you reach out and learn more? Our educational consultants can help you explore all that online career training has offer. Sometimes the curviest paths lead to the best destinations. Set out on your journey today with Ed4Career.
