The Five Strategies

Element IV: The Human Being

Strategy One: Know Yourself

You are unique. No matter how much your talents, interests, and values may resemble those of your friends or members of your family, there is still no one quite like you. In order to see clearly what kind of person you really are, begin to think about your skills and your interests. Write down what subjects in school do you like? Which ones do you do well in? Which ones don't you like or do well in and why? Next think about other things like: are you physically strong, how do you feel about working with others, and your recreational skills. When you find things you don't feel very strong in or good at, ask yourself whether its beyond your control or is there something you can do to make it better. Take time to think about who you are and what interests you and balance thinking about yourself by thinking about others too.

Strategy Two: Personal & Family Goals

Because marriage and family life are very important to both men and women, one day you will probably need to consider the impact your chosen occupation will have on your family relationships. Today both men and women as husbands and wives, and as mothers and fathers have a variety of flexible options due to the increasing ability for both to earn equal pay for equal work. Career development can include for both partners the possibility for either one to choose to be the primary home manger as a full time career path. In other words, managing a household is no longer "just woman's work" and the "office just for men." Other options for both partners can include alternating periods as primary household manager and outside occupation, while other choices include both partners pursuing full-time outside careers. The possibilities are many.

Strategy Three: Study the World of Work

There are many ways to learn about occupations and livelihoods. If you are a good reader, there are many good references available through your local library and school guidance counselors to help you. Talking to people about their own careers is useful as long as you understand they are naturally biased by their own feelings. For example a professional teacher who is very satisfied with their work will give you a very different impression about teaching than a teacher who does not like their job. Also consider untraditional careers such as the skilled crafts which were once only open to men, while many health occupations formerly assumed to be for women only now attract men. Educational achievement is also very important because our economy is dependent more and more on people with high levels of skills. Remember, for each of us, work provides a way of self expression. It contributes significantly to our sense of well being. Learn as much as you can about careers to decide which occupations will give you a good feeling about yourself.

Strategy Four: Be a Good Decision Maker

Selecting your career objectives is one of the big decisions of your life. How do you decide which of the more than 20,000 occupations you prefer? First, there is more than one right occupation for you that would lead to a satisfying career. Secondly, break the big list into smaller narrowly focused questions to help you make connections between your personal characteristics and the general characteristics of various occupational groups. Start with your primary interests and seek out occupations with those qualities. Part time jobs are a good way to test different fields. And if no jobs are available volunteer your services! It's an investment in you future and looks great on your resume. Decision making is a process. The earlier you start the more time you will have to narrow it down to a few choices that will make you feel confident of making the right choice.

Strategy Five: Take Help in Career Planning

When parents, counselors and teachers seem to be pushing you to improve your study habits, make better use of your time, or enlarge your circle of friends, they are really saying that they care about you. They want you to be better prepared to take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Remember, they all went through it and know what its like to miss an opportunity because of not being prepared, or to have won an opportunity because they were prepared. Choose someone who you feel is understanding and talk to them about your feelings and your concerns at critical points like selecting which courses to study, or plans for future education, or choices between jobs. Whether you get a discouraging or encouraging response talk to more than one person until your satisfied. Finally, keep your options open by getting as broad an education as possible. The experience will help you chart the right career journey for you!

Return to Element IV Index: The Human Being

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