COURSE OR CAREER???? Archana Sharma, Clinical Psychologist

Which came 1st? the Career or the Course?  Depends on career  Special certifications, skill sets, or knowledge base eg: doctor, pilot, accountant, etc.  An undergraduate degree signifies that you are an educated person who is trainable

Why is this so hard?  This is your life!  Decision making is hard Defer choice to others Dependent Rely on gut feeling Intuitive Exploring options, getting feedback Informed

It’s all about you….  When choosing a course, there areas must be examined: Interest Values Personality Career Personality Skills External Factors (family/finance)

Exploring your interests…  Interests develop from past  Experiences & assumptions formed  From past environments  What do you like to do?  What excites you?  What are your hobbies?

Personality  Certain types or traits are associated with certain professions  Lack of certain traits can ensure success or failure  Media, research. teaching

What skills/ abilities do you have?  General ability  Specific Ability  Good with people?  Artistic?  Logical?  Technical skills?  Special talents?

what values do you hold dear?  What are values?  Achievement  Affiliation  Power  Independence  Recognition  Monetary factors

Career personality  Professionals work in diverse environments  Career values  What motivates you to work  Work environments permit expression of a particular set of values

bumps in the road… anxiety fear of failure low self confidence poor study habits procrastination internal educational requirements employment outlook family responsibilities lack of educational opportunities lack of funds external

How to make a full-proof decision?  Make an informed choice.  Explore your options  Write down the possibilities  Discuss with Parents, teachers, friends, significant others

While choosing your career…  Do take into account:  What you are good at  What you would enjoy doing  What is in line with your long term career goals  What your parents/teachers/elde rs suggest  Do not take into account:  What others are doing  What your friends are studying  What/where your boyfriend/girlfriend is studying  What requires lesser effort

The Blueprint for Career Decision Making List all the careers that you might want to pursue Do a SWOT (Strength, weakness, opportunity, Threat) analysis for each of them; use the internet and not just people around you to get information. Speak to your parents, teachers, friends: Don’t ask them what I should do? Rather ask them what is it they think you can do best? Time for some self-knowledge: take some aptitude and interest tests (not the online free versions, go for professional, paid ones Integrate the knowledge from SWOT analysis, advice of significant others and assessment findings (if taken) to make a blueprint of options that you have.

Roadblocks in decision making  Sometimes in spite of a vigorous process you might be confused.  If you are not able to make a choice; go by the method of elimination.  Start by eliminating what you Don’t want to do  See if you are okay with doing what is left at the end of the list!!

Final Decision? SuitabilityAvailability

GOOD LUCK…..