Aarresaarella on tällä 2500 aarteenetsijää.
The major problem with career planning is that, unlike for example when writing a thesis, you are not in complete control of what will happen. Your own efforts won't necessarily always be reciprocated by the job market. Even so, it's still necessary to know where you're heading.
Don't worry if you don't have an exact plan in your mind - it's likely that it'll change several times anyway. Companies' requirements change constantly, and unless you graduate straight into a specific profession, you must be prepared to adapt and revise your intentions regularly; career planning isn't a one time effort.
You don't need to foresee everything exactly, but thinking about your career well before graduation enables you to gather information and skills that will be vital later. Follow the industry, discover interesting facts at lectures, compare yourself to other students, and choose relevant summer jobs. Being in school is also a valuable opportunity for networking, both with random contacts and at career fairs.
Even if you come to the conclusion that you have the skills and education to do something, you still need to keep in mind that it might not fit your personality. For example, a computer expert who has miserable social skills probably wouldn't be happy working as a consultant.
Ask yourself the following questions:
What kind of people do you want to work with? What concepts would you like to handle at your future job? Be creative when thinking about different professions you could enter, as this process isn't supposed to just get you one job, but to set the stage for your entire career. Start by evaluating your interests and capabilities, and contact your university's career advisors if necessary. Even crazy ideas can turn into successful careers, and you'll be more likely to reach satisfying positions if you have a well thought out goal.
Don't neglect your values, either. Studies have shown that people who feel they're doing something valuable enjoy their jobs more than people who only see it as a means to obtain money. The company, however, is primarily concerned about your performance.
Some questions for planning:
Don't forget to monitor job boards - you might find surprising opportunities. If you want to try several things, consider doing volunteer work at non-profits. If you need to talk to someone, see your university's career guidance services.
Now that you have all kinds of creative ideas in your head, it's time to objectively evaluate which of them are actually possible or most probable. Dropping options too early isn't good, but eventually you have to be realistic. A wise planner knows when to discard a failing strategy.
Research the different fields and companies by following the media and looking for studies, articles, etc. Here are some questions you should keep in mind:
If you're unsure about what resources you have, try to remember what you have accomplished so far in detail. Write down at least the following things:
When you have completed the list, ask yourself the following questions:
Now summarize the most important parts. Look for concrete examples, such as "I liked organizing training sessions, and planning processes. I'll call it organizational skills." Then try to combine them in useful ways.
Your final list may for example be labeled as follows:
Even though you need to look far ahead, your plan shouldn't lose track of what's going to happen next. It's easier to follow a series of simple and concrete steps instead of just going for the big goal with no guidance in between.
If you know you can do something well, but are unable to get hired, perhaps you could consider starting a company of your own. Local TE-centers (Employment and Economic Development Center) can provide you with good guidance. Also look for courses arranged by schools, etc.
In many cases, the government will grant new entrepreneurs financial aid to get the company running and to put food on the table before it starts generating revenue. The usual limit is ten months at a time. When applying, you will need to include detailed business and financing plans.
Entrepreneurs can get unemployment insurance by joining the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, but you need to be a member with a viable company for 24 months prior to receiving aid.