How to Choose a Career After School

Before choosing a career, you need to know who you are, what you enjoy, and what matters to you.

1.1 Identifying your interests

Explore what naturally excites you:

• Which school subjects do you enjoy the most, and why?
• What activities or hobbies do you choose in your free time?
• What topics do you research or talk about a lot?

1.2 Recognizing your strengths & skills

Look at both academic skills and personal qualities.

• List 3 things you’re good at in school (e.g., writing, maths, presentations).
• List 3 soft skills you use often (e.g., teamwork, listening, problem‑solving).
• Ask a friend, teacher, or family member what they see as your strengths.

1.3 Understanding your personality

Personality can influence the type of work environment you’ll enjoy. You can use simple online personality or career quizzes as a starting point (not strict rules!).

• Do you prefer working with people, ideas, data, or things?
• Do you enjoy routine and structure, or variety and change?
• Do you feel more energised working alone or in a group?

Now connect what you know about yourself to real‑world career options.

2.1 Types of career paths

Explore a variety of paths so you don’t miss options that might fit you well:

• Traditional careers (e.g., medicine, engineering, law, teaching)
• Creative careers (e.g., design, media, arts, content creation)
• Technical & vocational careers (e.g., electricians, mechanics, IT support)
• Entrepreneurship & freelancing (starting a business or working independently)

2.2 Researching career fields

For each career you’re curious about, look up:

• Day‑to‑day tasks and responsibilities
• Required education, training, or certifications
• Typical salary range in your region
• Future demand (is this career growing or shrinking?)

2.3 Matching yourself to potential careers

Compare your self‑knowledge (from Module 1) with your research.

• Which careers match your interests and strengths?
• Which ones fit your personality and preferred work style?
• Shortlist 3–5 careers that seem like a good fit.

Learn how different paths can lead to similar destinations.

3.1 University pathways

For careers that require a degree:

• Identify relevant degrees or majors for your shortlisted careers.
• Check entry requirements (subjects, grades, entrance exams).
• List pros and cons (cost, length of study, location, lifestyle).

3.2 Vocational & technical training

Many careers value hands‑on skills and recognised certificates.

• Look into trade schools, technical colleges, or skill‑based programmes.
• Note qualification length (months vs years).
• Consider how quickly you can enter the workforce.

3.3 Alternative pathways

Not everyone follows a straight line. Some options include:

• Online courses and micro‑credentials
• Internships, apprenticeships, and on‑the‑job training
• Taking a structured gap year to work, volunteer, or explore

Experience makes your decision clearer and your applications stronger.

4.1 Internships & job shadowing

Ways to get a taste of real workplaces:

• Ask your school, local businesses, or family contacts about short placements.
• Spend a day shadowing someone in a role that interests you.
• Prepare a few questions to ask about their daily work and career path.

4.2 Volunteering

Volunteering builds skills, confidence, and networks.

• Look for causes you care about (youth, environment, health, community).
• Notice which tasks you enjoy and which responsibilities you handle well.

4.3 Part‑time & freelance work

Even small jobs can teach you a lot about work and yourself.

• Retail, hospitality, tutoring, online gigs, and simple freelance work.
• Pay attention to the skills you develop: customer service, time management, reliability.

Use simple tools to move from "I have options" to "Here’s what I’m choosing for now."

5.1 Setting SMART goals

Turn your ideas into clear goals:

• Specific – "Apply for two engineering programmes" instead of "Do something in engineering".
• Measurable – You can track progress (applications sent, courses finished).
• Achievable – Realistic for your current situation.
• Relevant – Connected to your career interests.
• Time‑bound – Has a deadline or time frame.

5.2 Career decision‑making methods

Compare your shortlisted careers using:

• Pros and cons lists – What you like and dislike about each option.
• Weighted scoring – Score each option out of 10 for factors like interest, income, lifestyle, location, and training length.

5.3 Considering practical factors

Balance your dreams with reality (without giving up on them):

• Cost of study or training and how you’ll pay for it
• Where the jobs are located
• Family expectations and how to have honest conversations about them

Now turn your ideas into a simple, flexible plan.

6.1 Building your roadmap

Sketch out the next 1–3 years:

• Important dates (application deadlines, exams, open days).
• Skills or experiences you want to gain each year.
• Key decisions you need to make and by when.

6.2 Building confidence & mindset

Remember that:

• No plan has to be permanent; careers can change and evolve.
• Mistakes and detours are part of learning, not proof of failure.
• As you grow, you can update your plan with new information.

6.3 Final action plan

Write down:

• Your top career choice (for now).
• 1–2 backup options.
• The next 3 concrete actions you’ll take (e.g., "Talk to my school counsellor", "Research two colleges", "Ask to shadow someone at work").

Choosing a career after school doesn’t mean deciding your entire life all at once. It means choosing a good next step based on what you know right now.

Stay curious, keep learning about yourself and the world of work, and don’t be afraid to adjust your path. The skills you build—self‑awareness, planning, communication, problem‑solving—will help you in any career you choose.