Whether you’re 18 with no answers to the endless career questions, or years into your job and wanting out, you aren’t alone.
Research shows many students feel worried about choosing a career, and when asked by YouGov in 2022, 72 per cent of Australians surveyed said they felt unhappy at work.
So how do we move to the place in our career that we really want to be? Seek psychologist Sabina Read says one way is a career path.
What is a career path and why is it important?
While career paths vary in clarity from person to person, Ms Read believes that in their essence, “a career path is a series of jobs, roles and action steps taken to move towards career and personal goals”.
“Pathways are not always linear and can include steps up, down, or sideways within an industry or organisation as our needs, priorities, and values shift across the lifespan.
“It’s difficult to create impactful action without a road map, and it’s always preferable to move towards desirable goals rather than away from what we fear or don’t want.
“While career paths are useful, they shouldn’t be rigid. Recognising that your career path may shift as personal, professional, and practical changes arise is important at every stage of your working life.”
When should I have my career path decided?
Ms Read says that most Aussies start to think about career paths in high school, when selecting subjects, choosing tertiary education, or exploring job options.
But according to Government research from 2017, 40 per cent of 14-15 year olds didn’t know what job they wanted in the future when surveyed. Research by The Conversation in 2022 even saw 26 per cent of female year 10-12 students feeling down or worried about selecting a career.
The expert echoes this, clarifying that many young people “don’t have a clear idea” of what they want to do.
“So keeping an open mind without judgment around change is vital for students, teachers, and parents. In the later stages of your working life, many will continue to tweak and edit their career pathways as your finances, values, health, relationships, caring responsibilities and priorities change.
“Having a plan is wise. Being overly attached to the plan is not.”
How do I find my best career path?
Whether you’re on the cusp of choosing a degree; set to graduate university with no clue of the job you actually desire; or finding a dead end in the career you thought you wanted, Ms Read has a key strategy for career paths.
“Avoid trying to decide on the exact role or industry and take the time to understand and identify your values, strengths, transferable skills, passions, and the kinds of activities you would choose even if no-one was paying you!”
Ms Read then advises Aussies to update their resume and personal profile for jobs that you want.
“This is also a good time to identify gaps and research ways to fill them so you can make your next move. There’s no such thing as a perfect match but spending a third of our lives doing work that grates, deflates, or bores us generally takes its toll on our wellbeing, satisfaction and mental health.”
How do I choose a career path if I don’t know what to do?
Let’s be real, if you haven’t already had a moment of feeling a little unsure of what you want, there may come a time where you do feel like you’re coming up empty. Ms Read assures people that having “crystal clear vision for your career is more likely the exception, not the norm.”
“Try to park the need to find a set answer or solution. Instead, volunteer; be aware when you feel you are at your best and note what you’re doing, who you’re with, how you feel and who you’re impacting. Take small steps which create ripples of change. Analysis paralysis will shift nothing.”
How do I follow my career path?
If you’re one of the lucky ones who have had the light bulb moment of their career calling in life, Ms Read stresses the importance of quality research.
“Talk to people who are at all stages across the career path you desire and ask them about what they like and don’t like, the skills needed to shine, the surprises they have experienced along the way and what they would recommend or wish they had done differently.
“Research study options and identify non-negotiable steps as well as more fluid options available to begin working in the field.”
How do I change my career path?
Seek research shows Aussies now consider three to four years as enough time spent in a role.
If you can relate to feeling like your time is up at your job, then Ms Read says a few self-analysis questions can help you decide if you need to change your career path.
“How do you feel every Sunday night, or each morning as you think about the day ahead? Do you know how the work you do impacts others even in small ways? Identify when you’re thriving and when your tank is empty. Answers to these questions should give some indication whether it’s time to make a small or large career path turn.”