Graduating from school, in and of itself, is one of the phases of a career. Being a graduate exposes an individual to the values, norms, and expectations of academia and specific line of work. Once students have completed their undergraduate degree, it’s entirely contingent upon them – whether to pursue advanced education in a similar field or seek employment. Or they can choose to apply their knowledge and abilities to a completely different sector. 

Suppose you’re also one of the graduate students who’s uncertain about which career path to go. And you can’t decide how to follow a structured plan to guarantee continuous career success. In that case, it’s worth noting that rewarding careers don’t just happen by chance. It requires plenty of effort, time, and preparation. And that’s where career planning comes into play.

Career planning provides a much-needed direction and gives your career a sense of purpose and meaning. Since you’ll spend a considerable portion of your life accomplishing career goals, it’s crucial to ensure you plan correctly and take proper steps in the early stages of your life.

So, let’s flesh out some tips to help you take the reins of your professional life and make your career as worthwhile as possible:

Map out career objectives

Quite a few are fortunate enough to be born with a rational mind – those who know what they want to achieve in their lives and where they wish to see themselves in their career trajectories. But most people are indecisive about what they want to achieve, giving all the more reasons to plan things out.

So, to begin with, outline short- and long-term goals to stay focused on your career objectives. For instance, if you’re enthusiastic about offering support and guidance to people going through challenging times, in that case, a career in counseling can be the best fit. 

You can consider counseling psychology masters online to understand human behaviors and psychological theories and apply them to help people cope with mental health issues. Plus, an online degree program eliminates the need to commute daily, thereby allowing you to save time and money.

Conduct self-assessment

We all fully know that change is the only variable in life that always remains constant. As our personalities change with time, so do our likes and dislikes. Therefore, exploring and learning about yourself seems logical when planning your career. 

So, jot down your likes, dislikes, interests, preferences, capabilities, and competencies. And figure out how these can prove advantageous for your next career move. Ponder which traits and qualities are inherent and which ones you will need to hone. Also, determine which particular field and job roles align well with your values, vision, and abilities.

While at it, list down vital pointers that contribute to job satisfaction. Ask yourself: what do you wish to achieve from your work – do you need to be financially independent, or do you need to make a real difference in people’s lives? Answering such questions can help you pinpoint your dream job, reach a suitable career decision, and steer efforts toward it.

Recognize transferable skills

Transferable skills, essentially, are the ones that you can transfer from one work experience to another. In simpler terms, transferable skills are a core set of portable skills you can apply to a broad range of settings.

It’s incredibly imperative to be familiar with your transferable skills since these qualities help a great deal in determining the next career move. So, identify the skills you possess and contemplate how you can apply these skills to your aspirational roles.

For example, being a graduate student, if you wish to qualify for the entry-level marketing position. In that case, you might have already developed copywriting skills by writing various articles for magazines. Or perhaps you might have acquired excellent teamwork skills by playing in a sports team during your undergraduate education.

Tap into networking opportunities

You might be aware of the common phrase, “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” And this adage holds weight to some extent. According to the research findings, nearly 70% of jobs don’t even make it to job search sites. And approximately 80% of jobs are typically filled with personal and professional contacts.

Given these staggering figures, it’s evident that navigating the hidden job market is pretty challenging without a strong network. According to the expert’s advice, individuals will growingly need to get in touch with others who can help them improve faster – it can either be organizations, workgroups, or diverse social networks. Therefore, build a strong network that can introduce you to promising jobs and help you stay abreast of the latest industry trends. 

Being a graduate student, you can reach out to your professors and alums since these professionals already have connections with key thought leaders. Likewise, ensure to put the best professional foot forward on social media to make virtual connections.

Seek mentorship

A mentorship is primarily an individualized relationship that helps graduate students to make steady progress in their careers. Unfortunately, although 76% of people believe that mentors are crucial, only 37% of people seem to have a mentor in their corner.

Nevertheless, it’s vital to emphasize that mentors are role models; these professionals help students walk through their professional journey. They provide expert advice and constructive remarks to students transitioning in and out of school. Not only this, but mentors also help students gain insight into how various disciplines operate politically and academically and assist in developing networking and collaboration skills.

To find a suitable mentor, make a list of people who are currently in positions you want to pursue. Next, narrow down the list to the potential ones. Lastly, consider reaching out to your intended mentors and establishing relationships with them.

Final Words

Although it’s next to impossible to plan everything for your professional life, it’s always a great idea to determine where you wish to go and which career pathways are available. So, invest in career development; for instance, consider joining training sessions or attending workshops. And most importantly, venture out of your comfort zone. You wouldn’t be able to grow and prosper without stepping out of your zone, even if you are passionate about your profession. 

That said, it’s relevant to note that your career plan doesn’t need to be set in stone. In this era of widespread obsolescence and rapid changes, it’s crucial to stay flexible. Today, the phenomenon of “one job, one career” has been growingly supplanted by “multiple jobs, multiple careers.” At some point in your life, your interests, values, and skills might change, and you may wonder if there’s anything better suited to these factors.

So, while it’s crucial to outline a career plan, it’s equally important, if not more, to review and revise the plan frequently to prepare for the future.