₦airaland Forum

blado: I had to opt for botany as a choice of course study because there was no financial aid from my parents or guardians wen i got admission into medicine and surgery. They could not afford the school fees; so i choose botany afterwards.
I cannot afford to do a full time Msc. In botany because of finances and responsibilities. A part-time PGD or Msc. Is d beta option. My major skills are analysis and strategy. Just av a certificate in basic computer applications(word,ppt and co).
I'll love to venture into Network security as a career or botany(plant pathology) lecturer or both. What are my options and what is ur advice for me career wise from the facts mentioned above?

You didn't mention what your attractions to network security were. You already have a good foundation in botany. It's much easier to follow it through. If you can develop the required passion, then there will be no stopping you and mind you; youcoukd still do your NetSec on the side - talking about multi-talent.
My pleasure Sir.

CallmePROF: Pls i really need your advice....and i'll be glad if you can answer me without refering me to oder for the e-book.
I'm presently in 100level studying "PURE AND APPLIED PHYSICS" but i don't really know much about the course....and i also want to know what the market value is like & also where i can work.
I really don't like physics and mathematics but i always find myself getting high score in both subject 'cos i believe i can achieve anything in as much as i focus on it....but i do prefer chemistry and biology over physics and math.
I really need your advice before it's too late for me 'cos i'm thinking of crossing when i get to 200 level....but i'm yet to conclude which department i want to cross to....
PLS KINDLY RESCUE ME

I often refer to the book because I can not be comprehensive enough. However, I'd like to start by saying market value is precisely a function of the professional. Each would inevitably possess the value they work for. It's all about you.
This course is of an industrial nature. Industries and research institutes are most likely.
If you feel strongly about the switch; you may want first be sure about your suitability for where you intend to go.
You could draw a scale to weigh between both, which is better.

blado: I studied botany as a course and just graduated last year. I'm currently doing my nysc service year at NPS in abuja. I have a flair for computer science(Engineering,networking and programming) and just published a my final year project in an American journal. Wish i could study till Phd level a combination of botany(specifically plant pathology) and computer science.. What are my options? Career wise what do u think i should do?

You did not mention the basis of your entry into botany but seem to have significantly advanced in the field which suggests that you are doing well. You also didn't say how far you have taken your ICT flair.
These are critical factors which when considered alongside others; then a clearer picture would emerge.
Regards

Now available on

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER CHOICE:
A CAREER DAY PRESENTATION AT SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED GWAGWALADA ABUJA (Abridged)

Introduction
I am delighted to stand before you today as part of your career day programme for this year 2013. We will be looking at my career as a banker on the following basis;
• Area of specialisation
• Requirement for the course
• Duration of the study
• Where your services are needed
• Prospects and hazards
Banker/Investment Manager/Financial Analyst
Bankers and investment managers plan and direct the activities of departments or branches in financial establishments such as banks, savings and loans companies, issuing houses, financial advisors, trust companies, asset managers, mortgage firms and mutual fund investment companies. They offer financial guidance and assistance with a view to creating value and generating income.
They also collect, evaluate and apply financial, economic and statistical data to analyze and evaluate investment opportunities, or make financial decisions and recommendations to financial establishments or consulting clients.
Areas of specialisation
• Operations – Fund transfer, customer service, tellering, cash management
• Marketing - Retail , Commercial, corporate and public sector
• Credits – loans, mortgages, lease purchase
• Treasury – foreign exchange, shares, treasury bills
• Internal control
Requirement for the course
The needed subjects are mathematics, English, economics, commerce and accounts.
Other requirements include;
 Accuracy, responsibility and an aptitude for computational work.
 Bankers must have integrity and be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships.
 They must be able to function under pressure and concentrate well.
 Sales ability (persistence and persuasion).
 The capacity to work in a hectic environment and multi-task.
 The analytic skills required to conduct thorough, objective research and make recommendations regarding investment decisions.
Duration of the study
Banking and finance course takes four years in Nigeria
Where your services are needed
Bank, insurance coys, government, mortgage institutions, credit firms, investment houses, BDCs, corporate organisations
Prospects and hazards
Bankers have the tendency to meet people of all kinds in the society. They are also privy to a lot of useful information and knowledge because they receive a lot of training and exposure in the course of their work and so they are highly skilled.
They are targets for fraud and robbery. They operate in an environment where error is not allowed. The pressure of the work is also very high.
I’d like to tell you a bit about Ben Carson’s THINK BIG model which will help you to develop your career choice, whatever it is.
THINK BIG
• Talent - if you recognise your talents, use them appropriately, and choose a field that uses those talents, you will rise to the top of your field
• Honesty - is an essential ingredient of character
• Insight – I saw a need and I filled it. You have to observe and reflect on your surroundings and think it through and commit to giving your best. Learn from mistakes and others, listen, learn and understand. Take advantage of your environment
• Nice - you need to be thoughtful, considerate, pleasant, helpful, polite, caring, congenial, and gentle. If we are nice to others, they too would be nice to us, and we can give our best for each other.
• Knowledge - still is power. The human brain cannot be overloaded. All knowledge is important. Knowledge will assist you to overcome the past, change our situation, fight obstacles and make better decisions.
• Books - are for reading. If we commit ourselves to reading thus increasing our knowledge, only God can limit how far we can go in this world
• In-depth learning - will enable us to give our best to others and help to make a better world
• God - cares about us and is willing to help if only we seek. Trust God to help you.
Questions to ask self
At what have I done well so far?
In what subjects do I do well?
What activities give me the most compliments and thrill?

Wishing you success in your diverse career pursuits.
Thank you,
Adamu Sakaba

Computer Literacy and Your Future

Our world as we once knew it no longer stands. Today, almost everything has gone digital. Information and communication technology has taken over to such an extent that, to not embrace the change would imply being in another world – albeit a backward one. Computer literacy is the knowledge and ability to efficiently use computers and technology. The highest goal of a computer literate person is to be able to learn the use and development of new computer programmes without large amounts of help. Computer literacy gives people of all ages an edge in both their careers and education. While there is some ill in it; as seen in cyber crimes, the gains are bountiful. There is hardly any profession that has not benefitted from this digital revolution, so much so that; employers no longer take people who lack knowledge of it.
Computer literacy is not merely about playing games, music and movies on the computer. Neither is it limited to the ability to chat with friends and send messages. All of these are basics. Knowledge of the use of computer based programmes and software can be very helpful to your education and general knowledge. Everything you need about your school work, career and environment can be found on the internet. With endless opportunities for fun and work; you need to choose wisely, your activities on the World Wide Web.
While some schools offer subjects in computer education, others don’t. It then becomes necessary to arrange for private training in the absence of school training. Considering financial cost over intellectual benefit will put you at a loss. As time progresses, human life would increasingly depend on computers and other digital devices. Those with the most computer knowledge will be best fitted to survive and excel whereas, those without would be the most disadvantaged and ill equipped for progress. Every student is encouraged to be sufficiently computer literate – it gives relevance to all other knowledge held. An advanced knowledge of it is an asset for enterprise.

IvyBlue: Available online too?

you can send an email to saxadngr@gmail.com for information on how to get an e.copy of the book.
Thank you.

Effective Time Management and Goal Setting

Self management is a better phrase to use when discussing time management. Self management is the essence of what happens in every twenty four hours of your life except for circumstances beyond one’s control. Goal setting is an important part of time management. To manage time means to be able to effectively coordinate actions within reasonable time. Your ability to use time wisely will assist you to achieve more progress in your endeavours. Often, we pay dearly for wasted time.
Effective time management requires goal setting, prioritizing, planning, allocation, delegation, organizing, monitoring and scheduling of tasks. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a goal as "the end toward which effort is directed". Goals may be either short or long term. Long term goals can take about three to five years to achieve, while short term goals are reachable in one to three years. Short term goals are often a stop along the way to our long term goals.
We actually set goals regularly when we plan what we want to accomplish that day, that week, or even that month. Those are usually fairly simple goals, i.e., clean the house, finish an assignment, do laundry. You decide what you want to do and then figure out what you need to do to achieve your goal. Then you get into more complicated goals - your plans for the future. Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future and for motivating yourself to turn your vision of this future into reality.
The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You'll also quickly spot the distractions that can so easily, lead you astray. Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. It focuses your acquisition of knowledge, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the very most of your life.
McKay (2011) insists that goals must be;
Conceivable: You must be able to put your goal into words.
Achievable: You must have the attributes, energy and time to accomplish your goal.
Believable: You must believe you can reach your goal.
Achievable within a certain time frame: You must be able to state how long it will take you to reach your goal.
Clearly defined: You must know exactly what your goal is.
Flexible: You must be willing to modify your goal as necessary.
A useful way of making goals more powerful is to use the SMART acronym adopted from Doran (1981). SMART usually stands for:
S - Specific (or Significant).
M - Measurable (or Meaningful).
A - Attainable (or Action-Oriented).
R - Relevant (or Rewarding).
T - Time-bound (or Track able).
Time management and goal setting continues well into the practise and development of your career. Having a good hold on these will increase your chances at being a successful professional.

Naturally, great minds would flock together.
Who do you flock with?

Tackling Examination Fever
Examination fever is a feeling of great anxiety over sitting for an examination. This anxiety is rooted in the fear of failure. The examination fever touches the highest point on the night before the examination. One gets disturbed sleep. Students get up early in the morning and even the atheists pray. In front of the examination hall one feels that everything has evaporated from his brain. The student feels disturbed and turns the pages of books hastily and rolls his eyes over the answer. As soon as he takes his seat in the examination hall, he prays to God or revises the questions. The candidate perspires, might even feel a slight headache. As he sets down to writing, he may not be able to recall much. Even after the examination the fever still haunts the student.
Examination fever cannot be measured. It could in itself lead students to fail in an exam. Students who prepare well and early have less episodes of exam fever, if any at all. Optimal anxiety motivates and keeps them ahead but over-anxiety disables. Anxiety is contagious and passes to other students. The key lies in keeping abreast with your subjects right from the beginning of the term or trimester to the time when exam is to be taken. Some students take their studies for granted and think they can quickly update their knowledge when exam is already nigh, hence, the fever. Examinations test the accumulation of months of study which cannot be assimilated overnight.
You can prevent exam fever when you;
 Gain confidence in your subjects by consistent revision, writing notes and having continuous study. Make brief points to refer just before the exams.
 Fix time and place. Make sure that your study has no disturbance. Move away from that place when you need to take breaks. Take them frequently by structuring your time schedule. Every time you feel fresh, study the difficult or boring subjects first for a few minutes and then move on to easy ones.
 Exercise and recreation are as important as studies and they help you concentrate better. Don't reduce your sleep drastically. Your body needs it. Drugs and alcohol don’t help the process of learning.
 Avoid repetitive reading. If you are unable to remember, break up the topic into points and sub points and try to remember each sub point. It is a better way to face them than last minute cramming.
 Do mock tests periodically, especially in difficult subjects.
 Rest, eat good food and freshen up, especially on the morning of your exam.
 On the day of the exam; relax, be as calm as can be, reduce stress, sleep well, eat well and go early. Discuss with your friends what you have prepared and what you have not. Have confidence, you will do well. Believe in yourself!
By preparing early and well, you build up confidence and put examination fever at bay, thereby, making failure less possible.

Overcoming Subject Phobia for Academic Progress

Students sometimes tend to feel enormous anxiety toward some subjects. This phenomenon is often referred to as subject phobia. The reasons can range from a lack of interest, fear of the teacher, poor teaching methods, past failures or exaggerated difficulty. This condition spells doom for students as it mostly leads to failure of the subject for which such fear is held. Mathematics appears to be the subject for which students exhibit the most fear. The trend is related to the high level of mental acuity needed to excel in it. Mathematics forms the bedrock for most other subjects especially those of the sciences, thus, making it a very crucial subject.
Your subjects are designed to help secure your future; there is no point disliking or being scared of any. To be a professional, you must love and master all your subjects. It is advisable for students to embrace the subject with hard work and confidence. Teachers owe it a responsibility to impress upon their students, the love for the subjects they teach.
The following steps are helpful in dealing with subject phobia;
 Accept the subject as your ally – build interest in it.
 Recognise the subject teacher as your friend and not foe.
 Participate actively during lessons.
 Have your mates who are doing better to tutor you.
 Read subjects you like in between subjects you do not like.
 Spend extra time on such a subject to build your knowledge and confidence.
 Break down the subject into small bits that would eventually add up, do not overwhelm yourself.
 Proceed from the easiest and basic topics to the most difficult and advanced.
 Review past failures with a view to correcting your mistakes.
 Believe in your ability to fully comprehend the subject.
 Test yourself regularly and make corrections.
 Constant practise would improve your likeness for and performance in any subject.
If you take all of the above listed steps diligently, it is only going to be a matter of time before such a subject becomes a favourite and may even turn out to be your best. The human brain is a wonderful asset; there is no limit to what can be achieved through its determined use.

" The book is apt considering the challenges the youths face in choosing a career. It has been carefully examined and found to be relevant to our educational system"

- Universal Basic Education (UBE)

Useful Study Habits You can Practise

The manner in which a student conducts his or her studies would make or mar success in school. Pursuing a successful career first demands one to be educationally successful. A good academic foundation will eventually lead to good career development and advancement.

The following study habits will guide you towards excellence;

Motivate Yourself

Study Regularly

Keep Fit

Use Time Wisely

M.U.R.D.E.R is a study system adopted from John R. Hayes:

Mood:
Set a positive mood for you to study in. Select the appropriate time, environment and attitude.
Understand:
Mark any information you don't understand in a particular topic; Keep a focus on one topic or a manageable group of exercises.
Recall:
After studying the topic, stop and put what you have learnt into your own words.
Digest:
Go back to what you did not understand and reconsider the information; Contact external expert sources (e.g., other books or a teacher) if you still cannot understand it.
Expand:
In this step, ask three kinds of questions concerning the studied subject;
i. What questions would I ask or what criticism would I offer?
ii. How could I apply this material to what I am interested in?
iii. How could I make this information interesting and understandable to other students?
Review:
Go over the subject you've covered; review what strategies helped you understand and/or retain information in the past and apply these to your current studies.

Nothing is impossible!!!

You must accept no limitations and maintain an attitude of discontent with the status quo if you must fly with the eagles.

Phartymah112: Hi. Pls,i would need you to figure this out.
My younger sister is so good at mathematics,physics and biology but so dumb at chemistry though she can cope in engineering but we don't want her to go for it simply coz almost everybody in our family is already or an engineer to be,so we don't it our family profession,and we're yet to decide what she should go for. We smtym think maybe medicine buh she can't stand blood.
We even say maybe biochemistry/microb/pharmacy buh she's nt dat good at chemistry
I'd say computer science but these days so many people are doing d course and its even sth she can learn for 3 months,so why wasting 4 year for studying it in uni.
Smtyms,i think statistics would be better...so,pls help me decide which course she should go for and pls,do consider the position it is holding or will b holding in the Nigeria labour market. Pls,GOD BLESS YOU

You have raised quite a number of issues Phartymah. The issue of every one else being an Engineer doesn't matter since the course will not suddenly go underground any day. You need to look at where her interest and other passions lie.
What talents has she got and from what does she get her most thrill?
Mind you, the labour market is awash with all professions - it is the professional that stands out.
You should get your sister a copy of the book as a start towards helping her through this.

Thanks,
Saxadngr@gmail.com

vizboy: Have read through and i must say am impress.
Here is my problem am good with biology and chemistry but my problem is i cant stand drugs or blood so i dont think i will be good in those field. But am not too good with physics and mathematics but i have passion for web designing,site creation and computer engineering what should i do.

Much thanks.
Not being good in certain subjects doesn't completely imply incapacity. Sometimes we have to push ourselves for the best to manifest.
Even the fear of blood can be unlearned.
When you get the book, you will be more informed about the other options available to you.

Regards,
Saxadngr@gmail.com

kike100: @zinton, I av worked in customer service, relationship mgt, process implementation/training, people mgt and a stinct of brand activation. Where do you think my career is headed cos I feel like a scattered diagram. Helpppp

What you've mentioned looks like what a business person should possess.
I would have suggested that you look to start an enterprise, but then again, there are other indices.
You should get the book for greater clarity.

Regards,
Saxadngr@gmail.com

Role of Schools and Parents (Guardians) in Influencing Career Choice of Students

Herr and Cramer (1979) have noted that career planning cannot be attained by the counsellor alone. Other persons’ resources and experiences must be integrated into the career guidance programme. Career guidance is more effective when handled as a shared responsibility. Parents, peers, teachers and all social media serve to mould the career aspirations of students. School counsellors alone cannot deliver optimally on this. In their daily interaction with the society; students garner diverse experiences that eventually shape their career choices. It is therefore important that these roles are well played to the benefit of students and consequently, the society.
The roles played by crucial social agents in influencing career choice of students are thus examined.


The School Counsellor:
The school counsellor is the primary agent of career guidance by virtue of his or her professional qualification to do so. The counsellor is adequately trained to carter for all the needs of the students. Career guidance forms one of their most important duties at the secondary school level.

The Classroom Teacher:
Career guidance is a vital element of classroom teaching. The role of the classroom teacher in career guidance is often not given much attention. This is not meant to be so because; no single school staff knows the students as much as the teacher. It is teachers who spend the most time with students in the school.

Parents:
Parents are encouraged to see themselves as facilitators and guides in the career development of their children. Imposing career choices on children is not advisable. Children should be guided and encouraged to make their own choices as their abilities will permit. When too many demands are made; they fail. A better chance at success exists when they are allowed to follow their personal aspirations.

The School:
The role of the school in the career planning and development of its students is critical. The school serves as a meeting point for other agents of career development.
An ideal school system will naturally contribute to career development in the following ways;
 Offering its students professional counselling services.
 Ensuring that the counsellor(s) are undisturbed by other duties outside their specialisation.
 Creating an enabling system for career exploration of students within the school through the establishment of career centres and all such resources that would boost the aspirations of the students.
 Providing a conducive atmosphere for learning.
 Organizing career programmes for students.
 Facilitating the effective participation of parents and teachers towards the career development of their children and students respectively.
 Creating opportunities for students to discover and harness their talents.
 Identifying threats to the dreams and aspirations of students with a view to eliminating them.
 Projecting the needs of the larger society to students in such a way as to provoke ambitions geared towards the relieving of same.

Steps in Making Career Choice

Making a career choice requires a logical sequence of steps from exploration to action. How well these steps are followed goes a long way to determine the general success of the career decision process. The steps given below are as suggested by Epperly et al (1977). It is necessary that counsellors assist students through these steps for best results.

Identify the Problem or Decision to be made

Gather Information

Identify Possible Options

Weigh the Facts

Take Action

Review the Decision

Make an Action Plan.

It's all about you!

It's in you to take charge of your life and guaranty your future.
You alone can set yourself up for failure or success.
Accept no limitation.
Learn from the past and move on.
Be the best in what you do.
Seek knowledge continuously.
Cultivate the right attitude towards self and others.
Reject compromise.
Think big, dream big and act big.
Put an extra to your ordinary.
Work smart.
Add value to self and others.
Be a leader - take responsibility.
You can be all that you want....just believe in YOU.

Clarity is everything!

"Your inborn potential is extraordinary. you have within you, right now, the ability to achieve almost any goal that you can set for yourself. Your greatest responsibility to yourself is to invest in whatever time is required to become absolutely clear about exactly what you want and how you can best achieve it.
The greater clarity you have regarding your true goals, the more of your potential you will unleash for good in your life."
- Brian Tracy

Parrotpal: This is a job welldone. But i could like to know about the town planning profession because am a student of town planning.

Thanks so much.
Town planning is a wonderful profession and is properly covered in the book.
Send a mail to saxadngr@gmail.com for information on how to get the book.

Autograph Your Career and Your Life with Excellence

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. Every job is a self portrait of the person who does it ... Autograph your work with excellence.”

- Vince Lombardi Jr.

Factors Influencing Career Choice Development

Career choice development is hinged on a number of factors. The level to which these factors are met in a profession will increase the tendency to succeed in the profession. A good career choice leads to success in same. Several of the same factors may be useful to similar professions. It is good to consider them when deciding on what career path to take. While the factors are all important, an individual may not necessary have to meet every single one of them to be successful. Once a profession for which a substantial amount of factors are met is discovered; then you are good to go.

The following factors should be considered in career choice development;

Subject combination – arts, science, business, social sciences:

Physical factors – height, body size, handicap, health, allergies, disability:

Psychological factors - personality type, intelligence, interest (passion), talents, phobia (extreme fear), stereotypes (false ideas), fantasies:

Financial factors – cost, affordability:

Environmental factors - availability of resources:

Religious factors – Taboo, sin, haram:

Godson201333: Do you sell a career book if yes,My e mail is everyseun@yahoo.com let your subject be career talk...

The book is on sale at the media centre, Silverbird Galleria Abuja. If you are not in Abuja, you can contact the publisher through saxadngr@gmail.com for information on how you can order an e-copy.
Thanks!

He thought it through and accepted no limitations. So can you!

Whatever your plan; be sure to think it through!

Introduction to Career Guidance
Guidance is the process of helping individuals to understand themselves and their world. The enhancement of an individual’s functioning to the fullest potential is the main objective of guidance and counselling (Shertzer & Stone, 1976). A career is one of such avenues through which one’s fullest potential can be achieved. It involves the work that one does for the most part of his or her life as his or her contribution to society and through which a reasonable livelihood is earned.
Career guidance is a service rendered mostly to individuals or group of people that helps them to take proper steps toward pursuing a suitable career. According to McKay (2011), “career guidance consists of services that help people successfully manage their career development. Although this aspect of human development occurs on its own as we mature, everyone can benefit from assistance navigating through this process.” A Guidance Counsellor is best suited to offer this kind of service. Secondary school students need career guidance more than any other category of people. This is because; secondary education is a crucial stage in the career development of a child. Students are mostly not as informed as their teachers, parents or elder siblings when it comes to making career choices. This reinforces the need for help from those who are better enlightened by virtue of their experiences (as in the case of elders) or specially trained for such a task while also having vast experiences (as is the case with Guidance Counsellors).
Career guidance is necessitated by the following reasons;
 An apparent lack of sufficient and correct knowledge about the world of work which is ever changing.
 Lack of career development materials and professionals in many countries to educate students on the diverse alternatives available to them.
 High level of indecision and floundering that amounts to a waste of time and resources.
 Growing dissatisfaction and frustration amongst professionals as a direct result of making the wrong career choices.
 Increase in the number of non admissible students due to improper combination of subjects.
 Inability of parents to keep up with the task of assisting their children to prepare and plan due to economic pressures that take all their time.
Preparation and planning will enable and empower you to take right decisions, without fear and shall remove the state of uncertainty (Vedhera, 2004). A well prepared student will understand the options and choices available and know how to turn the odds in his or her favour. To be well prepared is to be well armed to plan for and face the future. This is an exciting phase in your life and do not be apprehensive about it. All the great people and high achievers started somewhere. You are therefore not alone.
Career planning is an exercise that is well worth the time invested in it because it sets you going on the path that leads to where you would like to go. It provides you with a lot of clarity about your career choices and objectives as well and it is best to start early. From the point of subject selection, a career path is already being set out. Subject selection forms the foundation for what an individual finally becomes. With the right combination of subjects, one eventually gets to study a complementary course and further becomes a professional in that field. However, there is more to building a career than the subjects selected. It is possible for one to select subjects for which there exists little or no competence. Another crucial factor is one’s passion for such a profession. The factors will be well discussed later.
Often, most people get stuck at the very beginning of the planning process itself. There seem to be too many choices that are throwing themselves at you with all kinds of material gains, fame and wealth, comfort and luxury, glamour and beauty. From acting to singing, writing to banking, software programming to business, choices confuse you. Naturally, feelings of self doubt might come in at this stage. Am I good enough for that? You may ask, or how do I become successful at this? After some time of pondering over many career paths you may end up thinking that maybe you are no good for any of these choices after all. Here is where a bit of career planning helps. There are two ways of starting off. One is to find out what you really like doing and do it irrespective of the gains and difficulties. The second is to find out what really motivates you. Find out which among the careers gives you the satisfaction you want and build up competencies for it. Either way, you will get what you want as a result of your work or occupation.
Whichever path you choose, it is most important to know your individual strengths and weaknesses. Sit down and check yourself honestly. Think of all your accomplishments, the compliments you got, the work that really inspired you, the times when you worked with passion and jot them all down. You will find that as you note down your victories, achievements etc, a pattern will emerge. You can find that you are good at organizing, making people comfortable, leading, solving puzzles, physical activity, playing music or games. Each of these represents a career option by itself or reveals some characteristic in you - qualities that could be good assets in your future career options.
Now list out things that motivate you, which you aspire for, your dreams - things you would want more than anything else in the world. Find your fit between the person you are and the dream you wish to achieve. As this picture gets clearer, you become more aware, confident and purposeful. Attributes that serve you well along the way. You have now formed a clear picture of yourself with specific qualities.
Based on your aspiration level and your aptitude, you can also identify the careers that offer the kind of lifestyle or returns that you wish. If you wish to frequently travel and be in command of a dynamic business you can zero down to careers in marketing with a goal to set up your own firm or to head a large company (the same may not be possible if you inherently like to paint for long hours). It is best to be honest with yourself at this stage because most people take decisions based on glamorous misconceptions about certain careers and later change them. For example if you wish to be an airhostess, check out the conditions available for the kind of work that is associated with being an airhostess. Only if you really enjoy doing that kind of work and the rewards that come with it must you go for it. Else, look further for what really fits you. Growth, rewards, recognition and most importantly job satisfaction and a good quality of life come from one thing - loving your job.
Having decided on a particular direction, you must build competencies for it. Specific careers need specific education and training. Whichever area you choose to be in, you will succeed if you strive to be the best in it. Leave your individual name on it. Every career affords you the opportunity to make life better for yourself and others; you only need to be willing. Learn the basics by acquiring information, taking courses, taking up internships and holiday jobs, learning the economics of the job and adding special skills that help in handling the job with greater proficiency.
All careers without exception would certainly require a good writing and verbal communicating ability so please work on that, a pleasing and well-mannered personality, a professional work ethic and good inter-personal skills. Work on these important soft skills along as you plan your career.
If you have a goal, then be clear about it and start working towards it. You will learn along the way. You will acquire skills and competencies that help you along. The important thing is to start the journey. In today’s competitive world; full of new options and opportunities, you have the power of choices. You can well exercise them by putting yourself in a stronger position through preparation and planning.
Here is a systematic approach you can take in preparing and planning for your career as given by Vedhera (2004);
1. Analyse and understand yourself.
 Note all the facts, starting from the physical data.
 The subjects you are interested in and find easy to understand.
 The subjects in which you have been scoring well.
 The sports you are interested in and good at.
 Skills, interests and hobbies.
 Personality type - introvert or extrovert etc.
 This list is for your own self and therefore you should be frank about it.
 Also note that every individual is different and no single personality type is better than the other.
2. Prepare your own S.W.O.T (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis in writing.
 You may be shy, good in science subjects, may be a good soccer player, but may find it difficult to express yourself due to lack of confidence or command over language.
 You may want to do a course, where admission may be difficult and it may also be very expensive.
 If you have outstanding achievements in some fields, like being a top ranker, captain of the basketball team, a very good drummer, a talented artist etc., mark them separately.
 What group of professionals fascinate you and why? List out your role models.
 Also list separately the things you are passionate about- e.g. music, sculpture, studies, public speaking, animals or providing first aid.
 Would you like to take them up as your profession?
 Are you prepared to invest the required time and energy?
Career planning starts with a clear understanding of oneself. The process suggested is simple and interesting. It provides a good starting point and as the saying goes “well begun is half done”. Whatever career you choose, a good application of diligence and smart work would make you excel to a high level of societal reckoning.

....what steps to take?

.....which way to go?