Yo[u]Value | Online Self Help and Improvement

How to mastermind a career change? That is a crucial question that comes across individuals that are opting to change their career for a new one. Changing a career involves long term planning which can be decided upon certain parameters such as experience, salary and the future interests that the individual would have in a career.

If you are an individual that has started upon a new job but is not currently satisfied with the field, then it is necessary that you do some brainstorming as to which job will enable you to pursue the career of your interest.

Factors Important In Deciding Upon A Career

From the very beginning of your education, i.e. from elementary school, you decide upon certain careers that you would want to pursue. As a child you often dream about being a pilot, doctor, businessman or any other field which will enable you to get an accurate assessment of your achievements for your future.

Its when you come out of this fantasy land that you realize that everyone has capacities and interests according to which they have to adapt their lives to. Some of the factors that one must look into while deciding upon a career change can be elaborated as follows -

- Aptitude

There are individual differences among everyone which enables one to decide upon which career to choose from. Aptitude is one important individual difference which is the mental capacity of an individual to perform a task. For example if you are not good with arithmetic then you have a very low aptitude for jobs which would allow you to perform on arithmetic operations. Choosing a job in the engineering field won’t be a good idea. You would be better off by opting for a career in the field of arts and humanities. If the current job that you have undertaken doesn’t suit your aptitude then you should consider a change of your career.

- Interests

If you have dreamed of being an engineer or lawyer then it is necessary that you pursue your interests in this field. But it is important to remember that you should have the aptitude to perform the job. There are many individuals working a specific job but do not have any aptitude in performing that job. If you think that you are not enjoying the current job setting then it is necessary that you weigh the time adequately. Maybe it is a temporary phase that you are going through and it may require some assessment in terms of the work place that you are working in.

- Workplace environment

Often individuals get confused in terms of the work place environment and the career. In this situation, it is necessary to distinguish your interest in the career and that of the workplace environment. However there are various questions that you would have to ask yourself regarding the present work environment that you are working in. Questions such as -

- What is the relationship with my colleagues?

- Am I satisfied with my pay?

- Is the workload too much?

These are personal questions that you should separate from your career interests.

Therefore masterminding your career is a matter of deciding upon your aptitude, interests and the present working environment. With these three parameters in place one is sure to find the adequate job.

[CLOUD]

I really want to find out what I want to be when I grow up so I can stop changing my mind.
[CLOUD]

To choose the right career, it is necessary to know your idea of achievement for your future. The initial years of your job are considered to be the most crucial to your choice of a career, as they help you to understand whether you will be able to succeed in your chosen field of work.

The following tips will help you select the right career:

-Know the career scope: Every job has its opportunities and limitations. So, it is important to know the scope of a job that you wish to pursue. Try to figure out the power and position attached to the job. You should also know about the salary and the areas where you can incorporate your creativity.

-Make a list of skills: Make a list of all the skills required in a particular field of work and those you possess. Then match them and check if you qualify for the job. The skills required for a particular job forms an essential part of your potential of succeeding in any particular field. Skills required may include educational qualifications, knowledge of operating different machines and software, certifications, diplomas or knowledge of a foreign language.

-Read: In order to know more about a job, you should read lots of books related to the career and its scope. It helps in evaluating your own inclination towards the job. If you are struggling with too many options, reading about those career options will help you clear your mind and choose the most appropriate one. Besides reading, you can also participate in seminars and conferences, helping you explore job opportunities.

-Take an internship: Internships help give you a more realistic and clear picture about the various requirements of a job. Taking an internship will help you develop contacts that may help you in boosting your career in the future. It will also enable you to develop your interest in a specific field.

Steps to choosing a successful career:

The process of selecting a career can be divided into the following stages:

Self-assessment forms the first step in choosing a career option. It helps you understand your own abilities and areas for improvement. You can also learn more about your abilities and focus on your goals. Additionally, you will gradually understand what you want to achieve from your career.

Once you are through with self-assessment of your skills and interests, you can begin setting goals. This is a practical stage where you need to plan authentically without any assumptions or superficial beliefs. This should be an effective reality check on your potential for success.

[CLOUD]

Looking for the right job is a journey – it doesn’t happen overnight. However, there are certain steps you can take to accelerate the process.

Identify Careers That Are Suitable For You

The first step in switching to a new career is to understand the various careers that are right for you. In situations like these, people turn to career coaches who help assess and determine their weaknesses and strengths. Above all, they help in identifying opportunities that best fit an individual’s character. There are many career coaches and online resources that are helpful in selecting a particular career path.

There are assessment tests that will tell you about the job options available for you. They also work as a tool for uncovering experience, training and education needed for your next career. Additionally, they simplify tough career decisions and suggest careers you might have otherwise neglected.

Focus Your Efforts

In the long run, making the right educational decisions can help in securing a good career. There are numerous careers and various academic majors. With such a plethora of choices, it is hard to know where you should start. After narrowing down your field, it is easier to conduct your search.

Talk To Others

Consult professionals who are already in your selected field, as they are the best source of insight and knowledge into the career you are planning to pursue. By setting up informational interviews you can get a feel for the industry and what it is like day-to-day.

Make a Lateral Career Change Move

Whenever you plan to make a career change, you may want to consider making a lateral move in your new field. For example, if you are a medical lab technician with considerable years of experience, then you can attain some computer certifications to make a career change to information technology (IT). There are numerous healthcare facilities that need IT people as well. Consequently, you can try making a lateral move to an IT job within the medical field, by banking on your background for getting your foot in the door.

Write a Targeted Resume

The final step in successfully landing a new career is to write a targeted resume. Among all the given resume formats, today employers usually favor the chronological format. A good suggestion is to opt for a hybrid resume or a combination resume instead. This resume combines all the best features of the chronological and functional resumes. In addition, it draws attention to your transferable, career-change skills, in compliance with the favored format.

Making a career change is never easy. However, you can make the most of the opportunity by being prepared and knowing where to go for education and information.

[CLOUD]

In college, tests can cause a lot of anxiety in students. Many incoming students are overwhelmed by the thought of college and test taking, and always ask for studying tips and advice for them to succeed in higher education. Whether you plan on enrolling in a four-year, career, technical or online college, follow these 10 fool proof tips on studying, and you will be well on your way to a great grade, a college education and an outstanding career.

1. Go to class

Simple enough, isn’t it? Many college students think they can skip class or sleep through an online lecture and study their notes or readings and get away with a passing grade. If you want to excel, go to class. Watch your lectures online. Participate in online discussions. Simply being in the physical or virtual classroom helps recognition later on while taking tests. You are also more apt to pay attention to the instructor’s lecture. As many professors or instructors can attest, there is a high correlation between class attendance and class performance.

2. Don’t cram

The best and easiest way to study is to simply prepare before the night before the test. Many students try to cram all of their notes, readings and assignments into an all-nighter the night before the test. Studies show that cramming for tests does not work, and to effectively learn something and retain the information, you need to see it or read it multiple times. The best way to study and retain information is to study a little bit each day. Try using the Cornell Method of taking notes to optimize your studying. After you get home from class or work, go over your notes for 30 to 45 minutes. At night right before bed, skim over the readings again. In the morning, read over your notes for about 10 minutes. Constant and consistent studying each day will help you retain information and perform better on your tests.

3. Find a good studying environment

To study effectively each day, you need to find an environment you are comfortable in. If you can’t concentrate in your room, try going to a library and finding a quiet corner. Try studying in silence. Some people like to study while listening to headphones. Try different things until you find how you get the most out of your studying time.

4. Use note cards

This may sound elementary, but it is a very effective way to learning. Note cards help with learning retention and effectiveness. When an instructor assigns a bunch of definitions, this is the simplest way to learn them.

5. Find a classmate to study with

When you have a classmate to study with, it makes learning easier. For instance, if you do not feel like studying on a certain day, your classmate/studying partner can push you to study with them, and vice versa. You can also have the study partner ask you questions to see if you understand the information at hand.

6. Get a good night’s sleep

One of the most underrated parts of studying for a test does not involve studying at all. Sleep deprivation can be detrimental to your test-taking. Lack of concentration and nervousness are largely in part to not getting enough sleep the night before. Try to get eight hours of sleep, and you will perform better.

7. Eat breakfast

Eating something for breakfast goes along with getting a good night’s sleep. Eating breakfast gets your blood flowing in the morning. It increases your metabolism, which wakes you up and increases blood flow to the brain, helping you to think and perform better.

8. Lay off the caffeine

Although it may “wake you up” in the morning, coffee actually impedes your learning. Caffeine causes nervousness, anxiety and makes it very difficult to concentrate. If you get eight hours of sleep the night before and studied everyday rather than cram, you should not be tired in the morning and feel well prepared for the test.

9. Relax

When you go into the classroom or sit down in your computer chair to take your test, just relax. Sit down, take a couple deep breaths through your nose while you close your eyes for about 10 seconds. This will help you get focused and feel comfortable, so you are able to concentrate and take the test to the best of your ability.

10. Reward yourself

After the test, reward yourself with something good. Take yourself out for ice cream, dinner or other indulgences. After all, you studied hard everyday for the test, and you deserve some sort of reward. Planning to reward yourself after you complete your exam increases your motivation to work hard until the test is complete, and will also give you a sense of completion and satisfaction after the test is over.

Follow these 10 steps, and you can be well on your way to earning your college degree.

[CLOUD]