The beginning of another academic year is a great time to set your goals, know what you are doing, where you are going, and how you plan to get there. What you want in life will not just happen, so you have to take the time to plan, not for your education only but also for your career and life success.

Over the next few weeks, we will be giving you career tips and strategies, information on many different careers, and also on how to achieve your goals successfully. We start this week with some of the things which you should put on your agenda right now to ensure that your future life will be smooth.

Here we go.

• From the subjects you have selected, been exposed to and also activities in which you have engaged, try to determine your strongest interests. Do a self-assessment such as The Career Key Test, if you have not yet done so. This will help you in determining that you are on the right path.

• Identify your special skills and talents. These are the things which you can do better than anyone else and which come to you naturally.

• Develop your foundation skills. Reading, writing, creative and critical thinking, speaking, problem-solving, decision-making, people skills, negotiation, leadership, self-management, responsibility and teamwork are just some of the essential skills needed for success in the workplace.

• Start getting your official documents together – your taxpayer registration number (TRN) if you are at that age, your National Insurance Scheme (NIS) card, a national ID, your passport and, if you can, a learner driver’s licence.

• Create for yourself a realistic financial plan. This could include opening a savings account or a credit union account. You may think you have nothing to save from, but still start this good habit. Research scholarships to finance your future education.

• Decide on the path you plan to take after high school – college, university, training courses, setting up a business, finding a job, internship, volunteering, skills development, sixth form. Investigate each option carefully and understand the positives and negatives and what each one means to you specifically.

• Create a career portfolio, e-portfolio and a vision board. All of these will help you to stay focused on your path to success. Get yourself a mentor to help, support and guide you. This is where your path to future success begins (or continues) in earnest. Good luck on this journey.

Angela deFreitas is general manager of CHOICES Career & Education Advice, publishers of ‘The Career Key’ and ‘CHOICES Career & Education’

Magazines. email: info@choicesonlinejm.com.

Send us your comments and suggestions on what you want to know more about.

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