| Career planning while you are still in college has | | | | appropriate skill sets: |
| many advantages. Ideally, you should start your | | | | 1. Choose a major which will best prepare you for |
| career planning by choosing the right kind major | | | | the career that you have chosen. For example, a |
| suitable for the career that you have chosen. So, | | | | career as an accountant calls for formal education |
| we start this discussion by identifying the job that | | | | in those subjects. You may want to start with |
| is best for you. | | | | accounting subjects for careers such as Financial |
| Identifying The Job That Suits You | | | | Controller or CPA. |
| This first step calls for organized thinking on your | | | | 2. Subscribe to industry journals to keep abreast |
| part. Basically, at this stage, you will be full of | | | | with current events in your field. Many |
| ideas and have a wide range of fields to choose | | | | associations have student chapters and enrolling in |
| from, making your choice more difficult. Here are | | | | these gives you many opportunities to interact |
| some crucial steps you must take to identify | | | | with industry leaders. |
| your ideal career: | | | | 3. Submit an article to industry journals or |
| 1. Most people make the mistake of thinking | | | | participate in seminars. Take a part time job that |
| about all of their options at the same time. As a | | | | will add to your experience. |
| consequence, all of them appear attractive. But | | | | 4. Studying hard and getting top grades are a |
| you should consider whether you possess the | | | | must. |
| right attitude and what subjects you were best in | | | | Getting Ready For The Final Step |
| when you are in college. | | | | It is when you are in your final year or semester |
| 2. Evaluate each option one at a time, discarding | | | | in college that you begin the real quest for a job. |
| those that may not be financially or personally | | | | Now is the time that you will find out where you |
| rewarding. Have clarity of thought by assigning | | | | really stand in the job market. |
| the most weight to those that match your | | | | 1. Gather job advertisements in your focus area; |
| attitude and flair. | | | | separate the 'must-have' and 'preferable' skills |
| 3. Give serious thought to how you want to | | | | within them. This shows whether you are lacking |
| spend the rest of your life. For example, a | | | | skills, and if yes, in what areas. |
| teacher's job entails the least physical work and | | | | 2. Only a good resume gets interviews. An HR |
| lots of vacation time, while a traveling salesman's | | | | professional, student counselor and Internet |
| job requires you to travel for long stretches at a | | | | resources can help you develop one. |
| time. | | | | Nevertheless, creating a good resume is about |
| 4. Consult campus career counselors who will help | | | | successfully presenting and highlighting your skills, |
| you identify and improve your aptitude in your | | | | abilities and experience. |
| weak areas. | | | | 3. Attending interviews is another major test. |
| 5. Setting priorities in life is important. You may | | | | Learn interview etiquette, be crystal clear in your |
| find that your parents are your best resource in | | | | thoughts and speech and if at all possible attend |
| this area. | | | | mock interviews conducted by your college |
| Acquiring And Honing Your Skills | | | | career office. |
| Your next step is to arm yourself with | | | | |