Choosing a career is never too late


Mehnaz Lameesha | Published: January 30, 2023 17:23:03


Representational image.

The age-old proverb "look before you leap, think before you act" is true, but it is up to us to decide how much of it to apply to our everyday lives. When choosing a career, the proverb's complete application is no longer a given. Let's prove it.

There was a time when people accepted higher education as a stepping stone to a career. Whatever one studied, his career goal was to involve himself in that field. Previously, there was less diversity in the workforce. 

However, things are different now. The educational system has undergone numerous modifications. As a result, it is no longer true that your career path will be determined by your academic background in the opportunistic world to come.

A visible example of this is Lincoln Mahmud of Madaripur. The man who studied humanities in high school and college chose a subject in the arts for his higher education too. Although he enrolled in Islamic Studies at the University of Dhaka, his interest was in programming. That interest later turned into a passion and turned Mahmood's career around.

After graduating, Mahmud got serious about his area of ​​interest; instead of only reading articles on websites and magazines, he felt the need to work with technology. He then began obtaining certificates from several online sites by learning WordPress, Java Script, and PHP. 

However, no company would hire him because he lacked a science background and wasn't a computer science student. 

Then, on his own initiative, he passed the Zend certification exam and earned the certificate of qualified PHP engineer. After that, Mahmud didn't have to second-guess his decision to pursue a career in this entirely different subject. He currently holds the position of Head of Engineering at the Info Station Technology Institute.

No matter how challenging the road to building a career is, success will find you if you have confidence in yourself, connections, and the necessary skills. This means that even if you have a degree in the humanities, you can choose a career in a completely different field, such as web development, by taking courses on skill development and improving your technical expertise. 

Just because you discovered your interest later in life doesn't mean that your four years of education were in vain; don't blame yourself for losing these years. Herein lies our proverbial limitation.

Today, skills rule both the educational and working worlds. As a result, you don't need to think twice about starting a new job, even if it feels risky. You only need a little self-assurance. 

But right now, time is also valuable. So, among the traits of a sensible person, time management is one. And herein lies the significance of this proverb. 

Just as the present world dares you to be daring, it will not hesitate to taunt you when you fall behind in the rat race.

So take a deep breath before beginning your career. Allow enough time for you to decide what you like and dislike. It's always okay to change your mind, even though everyone should begin exploring professions during their college years. 

Now let's examine the factors to consider when choosing a career:

  • It is essential to consider your interests and passions, skills and abilities, financial stability, and job outlook in your desired field. 
  • Think about the work-life balance and work environment you want to be in.
  • Researching other career alternatives, speaking with experts in those industries, and receiving practical experience through internships or volunteer work can also help make a decision.
  • Never take a job that pays less than you deserve if you have an eye for one (and who doesn't?). Investigate the position's market value, then determine whether the desired position can meet your needs. 
  • Consider your values, goals, and what you want to contribute to the world.
  • Consider whether the required travel is worthwhile when all the boxes are checked. Are you willing to relocate for a job in a different city? If not, are you confident that your hometown will provide you with enough opportunities in your chosen career?

You'll be happier in the long run if you find a career that aligns with your values and interests. In the meantime, avoid catching other people's dreams when choosing a career.

mehnazlameesharahman@gmail.com

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