- Home
- Networks
- Topics
- Blogs
- Co-op Blogs
- Arts and Social Sciences Co-op Blog
- Beedie School of Business Co-op Blog
- Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology Co-op Blog
- Communication Co-op Blog
- Computing Science Co-op Blog
- Contemporary Arts Co-op Blog
- Engineering Co-op Blog
- Environment Co-op Blog
- Health Sciences Co-op Blog
- Interactive Arts & Technology Co-op Blog
- MSE Co-op Blog
- Science Co-op Blog
- Sustainable Energy Engineering Co-op Blog
- Communique
- ENGAGE
- Peer Education
- Co-op Blogs
- Galleries
- Learn
- Indigenous
- EAL/ESL
- iBelong
There is No Career Plan?

There is No Career Plan?
Did you know, that only 2% of adults claim to be working in the occupation they planned when they were eighteen years old?* Yet, most of us want to have a set career plan that won’t change and stick. And, we like to think that our career will unfold according to “the plan”.
There is no linear path to a career. Traditionally entering university, we all had an idea of what we’ll be doing after obtaining a certain degree. Sure, English majors will become teachers and someone w ith a chemistry degree could become a chemist. However, a chemistry graduate can also find a career teaching ESL in Japan, someone with an environment degree can be a fundraiser for local nonprofit organization and a Geography graduate may be an editor at a major publishing house.
If you ask people about their career decisions, almost 70% of people say that they have been significantly influenced by unforeseen events.** Unplanned events, such as a casual conversation, temporary job, an exchange, becoming sick or even being laid off or fired, determine life and career choices more often than all the careful planning does. And along the way, you will influence and be influenced by those who are around you– family, friends, professors and coaches, co-workers. Natural disasters, rapidly changing technology and the world economy are also something that may influence our career choices. Whether we like it or not we will be influenced by and will influence lots of things in life. The point is, you never know what’s going to happen.
So, don’t limit yourself, think outside of your box. Take some time during your day or week to just simply think. Think about yourself, what your interest and strengths are, what skills and knowledge you have obtained in classes, volunteering and through extra-curricular activities, what you want and what’s important to you. Then, think of some ways to further develop yourself as a person. Then put some of those ideas into action. You never know what or who might change your life along the way. You are in university, EXPLORE!
*Luck is no accident: John D. Krumboltz & Al S. Levin
**The Chaos Theory of Career: Robert Pryor & Jim Bright
Posted on May 24, 2012
Submitted by Career Services A... on Thu, 2012-05-24 13:41 by Career Services A...
- Career Services Assistant's blog
- Login to post comments
- 4566 reads
SEARCH THE OLC
Login
OUR TWEETS
Today's Top
![]() |
Top Tip Lists Lost in Technical Translation: How to Succeed in an Unfamiliar Environment [29] |
![]() |
Top Tip Lists 8 Interview Tips For Impressing a Hiring Manager [24] |
![]() |
Peer Education How To Write Your Way Into Grad School [18] |
![]() |
Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology 6 Reasons Why We Like Research [18] |
![]() |
Indigenous SFU Community Stories EMBA Graduates to Blaze New Trails [14] |
Interviews 10 Tips on Answering Interview Questions Effectively [13] |
|
Work Search Who. What. Why. The Keys to Your Elevator Pitch [8] |
|
Work Search Your Business Card: The Ultimate Networking Tool [6] |
|
Work Search Working with Grace: Top Tips for Pre-Screen Interview Success [5] |
|
Indigenous Aboriginal Human Resource Council [5] |
[Blog] Life Experience Just Like Bunko: It's Not About You [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Preparation = Successful Interview! [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Acing Phone Interviews [1] |
|
[Story] Career Exploration We Are All Canucks: Dreams Come True [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews The Dirty Dozen Interview Questions (Part I) [1] |
7 seconds
From Forbes Magazine.
You have 7 seconds to make a first impression:
...
You're Welcome!
Just wanted to say a big "you're welcome!"
I think though, that we also owe you a big thank-you for all of your fantastic...
There but for the grace of
There but for the grace of God go I, reoccurs for me in periodically and I smile warmly and am grateful.
Thank you for your...
Uhoh, now you've sent us down
Uhoh, now you've sent us down a black hole of Youtube Conan clips......
Our failures define us
Conan's quote is incredibly profound..but not quite as profound as his "String Dance."