It is a difficult decision to choose amongst the various career options and it is inevitable that every individual will such face dilemmas. There are numerous suggestions that flow in from friends and family that ask you to pursue what you love or go for the subject you scored the maximum in.

But this is not practical. While there will be all sorts of advice flowing in from different people in your life, you need to choose a career based on your passions, values and abilities. Link to: TOFU 9 – What is the importance of Career Planning?

Here are 7 tips you can consider if you are confused about which career path to follow:

1. Consider your Hobbies

Before you start doing anything, take your hobbies into consideration and jot them down. If you think you enjoy these hobbies, think about the career you could build out of pursuing them seriously.

For example, if you enjoy baking cakes, you could actually open up your own bakery or work in some of the most renowned bakeries.

2. Visit a Career Counsellor

Getting professional help is one of the important things to do when you are stressed about choosing the right career path. A career counsellor will help you assess your weaknesses, strengths and interests to guide you towards the right path of building a successful career.

Going for at least some of the aptitude tests can do wonders for you while thinking about what to do next.

3. Interview Professionals

If you’re interested in multiple careers that look appealing to you, interview people who are already working in that field and are established professionals. This will help you get a clear idea about the field and what their job exactly involves doing.

4. Get an Internship

Interning before getting into a specific job profile and choosing it as your career is a better idea. You get to know the type of work you’d require to do full time and also assess whether you are interested in that kind of work or not.

Students who have already taken their admissions for higher studies can borrow books from the senior batches to go through the kind of curriculum they will have if they chose that particular stream.

5. Approach a networking group

There are several networking opportunities and groups that hunt new talents. Approach or join such one group. Learn about other individuals who are in the same field you want to be. This also exposes you to the perks and drawbacks of the field you want to get into.

6. Have an Open Mindset

It is fine to follow your heart but do not always ignore advice from the people around you. You never know how an idea will help in future, even while making sense of something completely different that you may be doing.

7. Don’t settle so easily

Yes, it can be extremely stressful trying to find what you really enjoy doing. Do not give up or just settle for something dissatisfying because you think you’d develop interest in it over time. You cannot work on something you don’t love and you can definitely not force yourself to fall in love with your job.