Decisions, decisions!

If you've been following our blog over the last couple of weeks, chances are you have completed your Self-Assessment and Career Research. It's now time to start making some decisions! If you are comfortable in your degree (or you’re switching into a preferred area of study) it’s important that you start deciding on what path you are likely to take after graduation.

The two major options you should start considering are:

• Further Education: Am I interested in completing post-graduate studies?
  or
• Direct Employment: Am I interested in going straight into the work force?

When considering the second option it’s important to keep in mind that some occupations require post-secondary education.  It’s imperative that you triple check your research to determine whether or not post-secondary is necessary in order to obtain your career goal. Post-graduate studies are a wonderful way to expand your knowledge of a subject you feel passionate about but it’s important to keep in mind that it takes additional time and money to complete. 

If you are interested in going straight into the work force after graduation it’s important to network with individuals in your field and to consider finding an internship to gain relevant experience which can be included on your resume. It also never hurts to get involved in the community by volunteering which can give you even more hands on experience in something you are passionate about. The career world is as competitive as ever right now so remember to do anything you can to make yourself stand out over everyone else!

Once you’ve decided between extending your time in university or jumping into the work force it’s time to start making SMART goals:

   Specific: What are you doing and how are you going to do it?

   Measurable: Are you choosing a goal that you can watch yourself progress through?

   Attainable: Do you feel that you will be able to stay committed to your goal?

   Realistic: Are the expectations you are setting for yourself too high?

   Timely: When do you want this specific goal to be obtained by?

On the Career Services website we have a couple worksheets available to help you with your SMART goal planning:

• Goal setting worksheet: for exploring your SMART goals
• Goal Action Form: for developing an action plan to help you achieve your goals 

Brittany and I have completed both of these worksheets for our own career goals and would be more then happy to assist anyone else having difficulty sorting things out. I personally find that having a physical copy of my goals to look over is extremely valuable when sorting through my many unorganized thoughts.

Decision making can be stressful and discouraging at times, but its all about keeping things simple! Don't stress yourself out by making unrealistic goals. I mean, if you aren't going to go to med school you aren't going to be a doctor!


And don't be afraid to conduct any additional research in order to fine tune your SMART goals. Double and triple check any information that is vital to your goals to ensure any confusion and unnecessary stress down the road.


Good luck and feel free to email us or stop by if you have any questions!

~ Ashley