choosing a career at 2010 camp meeting

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CHOOSING A CAREERCHOOSING A CAREERby

Dr A N Ng·andu

Lusaka Central Church and University SDA Churches 2010 Camp Meeting

20th April, 2010



IntroductionIntroductionGenesis 1:26-27 records that God created us inHis image. Ephesians 2:10 confirms that "we areGod's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus forgood works".

We are not only godlike, WE BELONG TO GOD!Nothing that in any way concerns us is too smallfor Him to notice.

God loves us all impartially (Mat 5:45), Godprovides for us (Mat 6:25-33) and God delightsto give us good things (Mat 1:11).

"God's ideal for his children is higher than

the highest human thought can reach." (Desireof A es, 311)



Introduction«Introduction«Choosing a career considersprospects of job offers,advancement, security, salary,prestige, life style, personalchallenge and personal satisfaction.

These factors have a lot to do withprudence in seeking personalhappiness.



What is happiness?

What is happiness?

Aristotle (1104): Self-realisation,rather than mere contentment.

Self-realisation (achieving one·s fullpotential) comes through the exercise ofone·s talents, interests, skills, andvirtues.

The greater the complexity and challengeto one·s talents, the greater one·shappiness tends to be.



Ernest Fitzgerald onErnest Fitzgerald on

happinesshappiness´«it is not by accident that thehappiest people are those who make aconscious effort to live useful lives...µTheir happiness is a deep sense ofinner peace that comes when they

believe their lives have meaning andthat they are making a differencefor good in the world.µ



Old Advice that is Now Bad AdviceOld Advice that is Now Bad AdvicePostpone career choices as long

as possible, You don·t want toclose any doors.

Don·t worry about career

indecision you will decide that incollege. (The difference between acceptanceinto college and acceptance into a major).



Steps in Career SelectionSteps in Career SelectionEssentially the answer to the question´What are you going to do for a living?µAlmost impossible to learn about all

careersOne needs a career-decision processthat one can use again and again.The process should include understanding

one·s interests, abilities, preferencesand looking for career choices related tothat understanding

Steps: Self assessment ² Explore ² choose ²write career action plan ² train ² seekopportunity



Step 1Step 1

Decide what you want out of lifeDecide what you want out of life(or work style)(or work style)Is it:

Material success

Opportunity for serviceSecurity of freedom of actionOpportunity for leadership or freedom fromresponsibilitySocial prestige or personal privacyCreative satisfaction or freedom from pressureRaising a family in a wholesome environmentPreparation for a carefree retirementCreating an estate



³To find out what one isfitted to do and to

secure an opportunity todo it is the key to

happiness.´John Dewey



Step 2Step 2Evaluate what aptitudes andEvaluate what aptitudes and

other qualifications you possessother qualifications you possess(i.e. self assessment)(i.e. self assessment)

Before you can make a careerchoice you have to learn about

yourself. Your values, interests,and skills, in combination with

certain personality traits, willmake some careers especiallysuitable for you and some

particularly inappropriate.



Step 2: Assess Yourself...Step 2: Assess Yourself... Size yourself up! Face the facts! What are your skills? Make an appraisal of your likes and

dislikes, talents or gifts, yourvalues,

What are your strengths andweaknesses? What are your interests?



Step 3Step 3

Explore career resourcesExplore career resourcesVisit Guidance/Counseling Web

SitesMeet with counsellors to discussthe career planning process.

Use whatever resources at yourdisposal regarding the careerplanning process.



Step 4Step 4Identify careers related toIdentify careers related to

interests, abilities andinterests, abilities andpreferencespreferences

Be methodical in your selectionList all those occupations youthink would be interesting or ofpossible interest (leave space for

new areas) ² [5 to 10 choices]Cross off those occupationswhich do not clearly suit you.



Step 4 continuedStep 4 continuedPlan to study to meet therequirements of your desired career.

identify the level of educationalpreparation required/you wish toattain.Complete high school

Set long-range goals regarding theformal education or preparation youwill require.



Step 4 continuedStep 4 continuedStudy Options include

On-the-job training

Military serviceApprenticeship programmesOther trade and technical educationprogrammes,certificate programmes,advanced university degree orprofessional preparation programmes



Step 5Step 5Gather data and evaluate and weigh theGather data and evaluate and weigh the

facts (Learn more about specific careers)facts (Learn more about specific careers) ²²Explore!Explore!

Success depends in part on the quality of thecareer information.

Analyse the careers in which you feel you could dowell.

Talk to successful people in the field (informationalinterviews)

Conduct library study visit the workplaces (where possible). Evaluate the Job Tasks and Work Environment of

various careers. Be ware of over enthusiasm about one·s job and

prejudice against other jobs.



Step 5 continuedStep 5 continuedWhat Career Data to look for?

Earnings (Pay)

Educational and other Requirements of thecareer

Positions available in the field

Study the personality of the field

Types of industries /organisations in the fieldHow many people choose the career?

Advancement opportunities

New Fields

Future Demand



Step 6Step 6

Compare selfCompare self--Analysis andAnalysis andCareer Data (your options)Career Data (your options)Match your interests with

similar careers.Stay in your job, lateral move,

radical change (self-employment is also a career!).

Consider the Holland Diamond



Holland Diamond of CareerHolland Diamond of CareerClustersClusters



Step 6 continuedStep 6 continued First comparison might be disappointing. Take time over the decision

You might need to change youreducational goal Once the specific career is identified,

pursue it with singleness of purpose.

RememberRemember:: MostMost peoplepeople spendspend muchmuchmoremore timetime decidingdeciding whatwhatcarcar toto buybuy thanthan theythey dodochoosingchoosing aa career!!career!!



All my life I·ve always wantedto be somebody, but I see now

I should have been morespecific.

Wagner, 1986



Step 7Step 7

Set GoalsSet GoalsShort term goals: these are

goals that you should be able toreach in one to three years.

Long-term goals: these are goals

that you should be able toachieve in about three to five years.



Step 7: Set Goals...Step 7: Set Goals...

In order for your goals to beachievable, they must meet certaincriteria:

Conceivable: you must be able to put your goal intowords;

Achievable: you must have the attributes, energy, andtime to accomplish your goal;

Believable: you must believe you can reach your goal;

Achievable Within a Certain Time Frame: you must beable to state how long it will take you to reach your goal;

Clearly Defined: you must know exactly what your goalis;

Flexible: you must be willing to modify your goal as

necessary.



Step 8Step 8

Write a Career Action PlanWrite a Career Action PlanA Career Action Plan is a road

map that takes you fromchoosing an occupation tobecoming employed in that

occupation (whether formallyor informally) to reaching your long-term career goals.



Step 8Step 8

Write a Career Action Plan...Write a Career Action Plan...List Employment History/Educationalbackground.

State Self Assessment Results.List Occupations arising out of self assessment.

List short term and long term career

occupational goals (5-yr time line), includeeducational goals for each occupational goal.

List all barriers/obstacles to reaching goals.

List ways to deal with obstacles.



Step 9:Step 9:

Train for Your New CareerTrain for Your New CareerIt is likely you will have to

train for your new career.That could take the form ofearning a degree, doing an

internship or taking coursesto learn some new skills.



Step 10Step 10

Explore job opportunities andExplore job opportunities andprepare to applyprepare to apply

Search for job openingsVisit job web sites

Attend job fairs

Apply



Step 11Step 11

WorkWorkWork Offers and acceptance

Take time to evaluate the offer.However, weigh the fear of beingunemployed with the reality of the

job market.Always evaluate benefits in terms of your longer-term goals.



Step 11 continuedStep 11 continuedSuccess at work

Develop good interpersonal skills.Be competent at your job, show initiative.Set rigorous standards for yourself and work hard.Create a positive impression and know your limits.Improve your skills (continuous professionaldevelopment).Master the technology and keep your skills current(include CPD).Admit and learn from mistakes.Accept suggestions for improvement.Be timely and punctual.



Step 12Step 12

Lifework PlanningLifework PlanningAlways re-evaluate your career.

Is your job providing you with all thebenefits you had hoped for?Are you living the life you want to live?Is it time for a new vision, a new sense

of what you want to do with your life?Are there changes you can make within

your present job or do you need to moveon?



ConclusionRemember God has supplied, you must apply.Determine to achieve your full potential in life.Believe in the Lord,.Commune with Christ.

Get rid of your idols.Get your priorities right.Turn your life over to the Holy Spirit and be filled withHis power.

Be energised to work and inspire others in the process.Make a significant contribution to the world!Live an extraordinary life!Achieve your full potential!!!

choosing a career at 2010 camp meeting

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