Remember the days when we were young? We thought we had everything all figured out. Whenever anyone cares asked, we were quick to respond, “When I grow up, I want to be a Doctor,” or “I want to travel the whole world to find solutions to save our planet.” You finally grow up, complete your studies and reach a point where everything is not just a ‘wish’ or a ‘want’.
From the moment you first walk into a classroom to the moment you graduate with your diploma, degree or PHD, the entire learning process to mold you into what you want to be or do after your study’s completion. However, for most people, planning a career becomes priority at university level of education. At this stage, you are presented with vast career options unlike anywhere else in your lifetime. You have an opportunity to explore your interests, generate contacts and attend events, not to mention the hundreds of companies that will be trying to enlist you.
The moment the idea of your future career pops into your mind in between trying to juggle your studies, spending time with your friends, performing extracurricular activities and several other new experiences, is the ideal time to start planning and building on the career you truly want.
Types of ideal ‘first jobs’ for graduates
Since you are likely to encounter your first job when still in college or university, most first jobs do not require experience or formal skills and are perfect for starting out. There are several jobs available for those starting out both in the industry and informal sector. Those in the informal sector include babysitting, mowing lawns, pet sitting and grooming, snow shoveling and many more. Those in the formal sector include first person in research paper writing, cashier, receptionist, customer service, dishwasher, fast food worker, programmer and many more.
Most first jobs come with minimum wage. However, with a little ambition and disposition to work conscientiously, you can begin to build your reputation as a dedicated and competent employee. The work experience you gather together with the positive references from employers will help to guarantee you as an appealing job candidate to your future employers.
Key tips when selecting your career choice
- Determine what you want to do.
Dedicate some time to think about what you really want to do. Attend career fairs for inspiration and contacts. Wherever your interests, experiment with a few work experience placements over the holidays. Aside from acquiring experience, it could also fire your zeal. Keep in mind why you enjoy or don’t enjoy certain jobs and always have an open mind.
- What do you like about your career?
Weigh the pros and cons regarding how you feel about your career choice. If your ideal ‘dream career’ does not work out, have a second and third best alternative lined up. In most cases you will realize that it’s more of the environment you are working in that makes you happy rather than the work itself.
- Pinpoint your skills
Identify what you are good at naturally and the values you possess regarding that work. It will help keep you motivated in the long-run.
If you feel uncertain about your first job, you can always find other opportunities and try them out. Nonetheless, do not hop onto every opportunity that comes your way. Start by trying out what you feel can work out and you will fast realize if it works or not, then you will have another opportunity to adjust your focus.
