Everyone’s career journey will have its share of ups and downs, its successes and its failures. It is important to understand that learning can come out of all of these situations that can help us along the way. What we do for a living and our personal lives can often have an impact on each other, they are both huge parts that make up who we are. Modern career journeys mean that more than ever we need to be prepared for change. As technology and society continue to develop, we never know what opportunities can be created or taken away.

As time goes by, change will also come from within and as your career develops you will grow and what interests you now may not necessarily interest you in 10 years’ time. Therefore, although much attention is rightly focused on making career decisions for immediately after your Leaving Certificate, this is just a the first step of your own unique career journey that will evolve and meander for a huge proportion of your adult life.

The following video asks 50 people a question about their journey and brings to mind many of the issues that impact on our career decisions.

Job/Occupation/Career – What’s the difference? 

High Five Principles

The ‘High Five Principles’ below, which were conceived by Canadian career development leaders, can help guide your decision making as you plan and progress through your career.

1. Change is constant. We change constantly as does the world around us as does the world of work. Most people will spend time in different occupations, organisations and sectors over the course of their career. Life will throw out changes and new career opportunities will present themselves so adaptability is an important career skill.
2. Learning is Lifelong. Learning will not end with the Leaving Certificate or completion of Third-level studies or training. Work and life will both offer opportunities to develop new skills and experiences. The scope for lifelong learning has increased greatly in recent years due to online learning capabilities and enhanced upskilling options.
3. Focus on the Journey. Identifying your goals and having a purpose can give direction to your journey in life. However, life can often not go as we plan sometimes so keep open-minded and adaptable and ensure you do not miss out on opportunities that can present themselves along the way.
4. Seek Support. We all have our own network that is made up of our partners, family, friends, teachers, colleagues and peers. Those within our network are our allies and they can be central to the many steps on your life journey. Do not be afraid to ask for advice or support from this important support network.
5. Follow your Heart. Knowing who you really are, what energises you and what makes you tick is important and can help motivate you to cope with life's challenges. Remember that the first step is always the most difficult but believe in yourself, trust in your abilities and never be afraid to dream.

Career Development

Career development is the process of managing life, learning and work throughout our lives. There are many factors that can influence the way our career develops. Which of the factors listed below have played an influential role in your Career path to date?

As you can see when looking at career choice, a particular aptitude for a subject or skill is only one part of the process.  It is not as simple as just matching a person to an occupation or career.

To help make good choices throughout your career journey you will need to maintain positive self-esteem and exercise good judgement. You should conduct thorough research into the courses, jobs and labour market trends that you encounter. The best decisions are usually made when you are well informed and happy with your decision. Finally, learning to know and understand yourself is fundamental to a fulfilling career.