If that seems like it might be further study, well now you’ve got even more decisions – where are you going to go uni? What are you going to study? What subjects will you take?
For some lucky ducks this is will be the easiest choice you’ve ever made, cos honestly, you’ve been dreaming of becoming an architect ever since you first saw Kevin MacLeod hosting up a storm on Grand Designs. You set your goals, kicked some serious exam-butt and maybe you’ve even got a first round offer. And a killer houndstooth blazer for your show reel.
For others, perhaps the first round evaded you, and now you’re faced with the idea of choosing a different option, or maybe you’re yet to make the choice that your parents or teachers have so kindly pointed out to you will define the REST OF YOUR EXISTENCE. For many this is a mildly terrifying prospect which induces the need to procrastinate.
Well, if you’re currently sitting glued to this screen, elbow deep in nachos – back away from the guacamole and relax.
You’re not alone if you haven’t got your career mapped. A quick survey of the FYA office tells me that the vast majority didn’t know what they wanted to do at uni or for work when they finished school. Heck, not even everyone went to uni. And even those who did know what they wanted to study AND got straight into the course they wanted ended up doing something completely different for a job.
The great news is that our research shows career trajectories are no longer as simple as pick a job, figure out what course you need to study or training you need to get under your belt, graduate, get a job and work your way up the industry food chain.
People used to spend years, decades even in the same jobs – do the miles, get the gold watch and then retire.
Pictured: Retired people thinking about how much the working life has changed since their day.
These days – that’s not normal! In fact, as you might’ve heard about through our research, we are predicted to have 17 jobs over 5 careers.
Our research also tells us that when you train or work 1 job we acquire skills and capabilities that will help get 13 other jobs. In other words, if you choose to study an Architecture degree at uni, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be an Architect for the rest of your life. Or even at all! The skills and capabilities that you learn through this course might be applied to many other jobs which are in the same area of work based on skills they have in common. Take creativity, communication and project management as just a few!
Even the skills you learn during a gap year working administration or in a café can be applied to other jobs down the track.
Of course, not all these job transitions will happen over night. Sure, you might need some additional formal or on-the-job training. But the basic crux of it is that the choice you’re about to make will not define what you do for the rest of your life.
So this decision you’re about to make — why not choose something that’s in a field that interests you, where you can build skills that you can logically apply in a different way down the track?
And while you’re pondering your many options take a look at this quiz for a bit of light entertainment and contemplate which job cluster you could belong to.
The post What You Study Doesn’t Define Your Career. Here’s Why. appeared first on FYA.