It’s fascinating that we receive so many career advices when we are completing our university degrees; as if there is a fixed path to it. Can we make our careers ever structured? Or should we let it flow in which ever direction as it may take!
As it may happen, a lack of career guidance may turn out to be a great thing — as it sometimes helps if you find your own ways.

The art of career design
Everyone should think of their careers as a work of art, where following a pre-defined path is like creating ‘paint-by-numbers art.’ The result is a predictable picture that many others have made before. Paint-by-numbers art is very structured, follow an order but it isn’t very inspiring.
Real art is inspiring. It makes a difference in the world. And it requires creating your own design. It’s like when Seth Godin said: ‘Art is the act of navigating without a map”. Your career can be an inspiring original work, and for that you need to leave behind pre-conceived notions and accept a little risk.
Without a map
No one is saying we dial down to career paths are that are completely fluid but sometimes going without a map instills more focus, create more synergies and make a larger impact. A map may set a great direction, and give us structure and permanence but it may also eliminate beautiful routes that we could have taken, paths that we could have travelled that are equally compelling and trails that could have been worth going in the end.
Sometimes lack of direction offers us more perspective. The initial years into any field may be ruthless but if you are confident and work hard then you’d figure it out. The pressure will be high, and the learning curve will be steep, but after a few years, it will be clear that you had made your right decision.

And for that, you can design your own exciting career, without having to go to a graduate school at all!

Only the basics!

To move past the structured career path, you just need some courage and yes, a plan for designing a career that works for you. Here are five important career design steps that people have general recommendation for:

1. Determine your strengths.
This is a critical element that students don’t figure out early in their careers. If you are Sachin Tendulkar, you know you cannot bowl at 150 mph and therefore you should focus only on your batting.

2. Define your vector.
Decide what you want to do next and where you want to do it. Be focused, but realize that this does not commit you for your entire career. Many people change their career as much as 4 times in their life times already and by doing that they discover new interests and opportunities. You can too. The best way to know your vector; try projects at Consuldents – work with industry mentors so you realize what you should and could do in the future.

3. Build great stories.
Develop great stories to your name and bring your skills and accomplishments to life in a way that will show industry managers that you will bring them value to their companies. Your Consuldents profile is a big way of showing business managers in Pakistan not only your education profile but also past projects that you have attempted.

4. Build your network.
A strong network is critical to building a rewarding career. Build genuine connections with people who share your interests, and as they learn who you are and what you are about, they will support you in your quest. Don’t just make connections for the heck of it, the emphasis is on “genuine” connections.

5. Dream big.

Don’t let your fears keep you from going after those things you really want to do. Your biggest limitation is your own self-limiting beliefs. As T.S. Elliot once said: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can possibly go”

Does it take hard work? Absolutely. There are no short cuts involved. But you wouldn’t have pursued a university degree if you were afraid of a little extra work, would you?

If you have a great academic story – then share it with Consuldents. We would love to publish your story to the world!