“What do you want to be when you grow up?” – parents around the world usually ask.
Since young, most of us have been asked this question, whether it was through a parent, relative or teacher. Being children with plenty of vivid imagination and courage, we would find ourselves answering, “I want to be a doctor! I want to be an engineer! I want to be a lawyer! I want to be a businessman! I want to own hotels around the world!” We held onto the spark that we would get what we want eventually.
However, as we continue to grow in this life journey, our pursue of interest and aspirations change over time. Now if we are to be asked the exact same question again, the answer that comes out from our mouths is like to be “I don’t know”. So, what had changed?
It’s not uncommon to feel a sense of uncertainty when it comes to your career choices. Perhaps you’re in a role that no longer drives excitement or fulfilment, or maybe you’re just starting out and feeling overwhelmed by the myriads of choices. Eventually, that is where resignation and procrastination will happen. The spark will lose its light and it will feel like a distant memory.
The good news is that finding your “spark” – that unique blend of passion, purpose, and professional satisfaction – is an achievable goal. It requires introspection, exploration, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, embrace the changes and move forward.
Here’s how to embark on the journey of finding your career direction spark:
1. Self-Reflection: The Foundation of Discovery
Before you can look outward, you need to look inward. This is perhaps the most important start of it all.
- Identify Your Values: What truly matters to you? Is it creativity, stability, impact, autonomy, collaboration, or something else entirely? Your values are your compass; align your career with them for greater satisfaction.
- Recall Your Passions and Interests: Think back to activities, subjects, or problems that genuinely captivate you, even outside of work. What do you enjoy learning about? What tasks make you lose track of time? These are often strong indicators of where your spark might lie.
- Recognize Your Strengths and Skills: What are you naturally good at? What skills have you developed and enjoyed using? Don’t just consider work-related skills; hobbies and volunteer experiences can also reveal hidden talents.
- Analyze Past Experiences (Good and Bad): Think about previous jobs, projects, or even academic experiences. What did you love? What did you loathe? Understanding your dislikes is just as important as understanding your likes in defining your options.
- Envision Your Ideal Future: If money were no object, what would your ideal workday look like? What kind of impact would you want to make? This can help you dream big and break free from limiting beliefs.
2. Exploration: Broaden Your Horizons
Once you have a better understanding of yourself, the next step is to explore the vast world of career possibilities.
- Research Diverse Industries and Roles: Don’t limit yourself to what you already know. Use online resources, industry reports, and professional organizations to learn about different fields, job functions, and emerging trends.
- Informational Interviews: This is an invaluable tool. Reach out to people working in roles or industries that pique your interest. Ask them about their daily tasks, challenges, career path, and what they love (or don’t love) about their work. Most people are surprisingly willing to share their experiences.
- Volunteer or Shadow: If possible, try to gain some hands-on experience. Volunteering, internships, or even just shadowing someone for a day can give you a real taste of a particular role or environment.
- Take Online Courses or Workshops: Many platforms offer free or affordable courses on a wide range of subjects. This is a low-commitment way to test the waters and see if a particular field genuinely holds your interest.
- Attend Industry Events and Webinars: Networking events and webinars are great for learning about new trends, meeting professionals, and getting a feel for the culture of different industries.
3. Experimentation: Take Small Steps
You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow to find your spark. Small, calculated experiments can provide valuable insights.
- Side Projects: Ever dream of a side project related to an area of interest? This could be anything from building a website, writing a blog, creating art or anything you are keen to do.
- Upskill and Learn: Invest in developing new skills that align with your emerging interests. This could involve formal training, certifications, or self-study.
- Propose New Initiatives at Your Current Job: If there are aspects of your current role that you enjoy, or new skills you want to develop, see if you can take on projects that align with those interests.
- Network Strategically: Connect with people who are doing work that excites you. These connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and insights.
4. Embrace Flexibility and Patience
Finding your career spark is rarely a linear journey. It’s often a process of trial and error, detours, and unexpected discoveries.
- Be Open to Evolution: Your spark might evolve over time. What excites you today might change in five or ten years, and that’s perfectly normal.
- Don’t Fear Failure: Not every exploration will lead to a breakthrough, and that’s okay. Each experience, even the ones that don’t pan out, provides valuable learning.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge every step you take in the right direction, no matter how small.
- Seek Guidance: Consider working with a career coach or mentor. They can provide an objective perspective, offer guidance, and help you stay accountable.
The journey to finding your career direction spark is a deeply personal one. It requires courage, curiosity, and a willingness to invest in yourself. The question is, are you ready to do that?
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Editor
Sally Huang
Head of Student Experience, Career Services and Alumni Relations
