“All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim; have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.” Orison Swett Marden
Every individual wants to become prosperous and progressive in life. He/she has to do something to ensure progress, and setting career goals is the necessary step of ‘doing something.’ You need to be clear about your aim and goal to work for its achievement.
Not sure, what are career goals? Keep exploring; you’ll learn all the details.
What are Career Goals?
Career goals are like way-finding tools. They help you define which profession you want to pursue in life. They provide you an opportunity to be clear about the position you want to achieve, the work you want to do, and the time frame in which you want to reach your desired or set position. E.g., you want to become a CEO of a multinational organization in the next five years. This somewhat clear career goal will help you work hard and diligently towards its achievement.
However, you must develop a well-defined career path to make this goal a reality instead of an inspiration. Setting some short- and long-term goals is essential, which will be your guiding light towards your final destination.
1) Short-Term Goals
As evident from the name short-term, such goals are set for a short period. In other words, one can say that the immediate goals which can help you reach your final destination and achieve bigger goals are short-term goals.
The goals are short in their time as well as in level. E.g., scrutinizing multinational organizations, applying there, and getting a job in a time of six months are some short-term goals.
2) Long-Term Goals
Long-term goals are those that are bigger in level and long-span periods. A bigger vision and passion for life can also be considered long-term goals only if the individual tries to achieve them. Generally, the long-term goals are set to be achieved in ten or more years. Getting the position of CEO is a long-term goal for a fresher.
Why is Goal Setting Important?
Life has become quite fast-paced in the twenty-first century. Some new inventions are getting the interest of the public. Competition in the job market has increased so that only experienced or well-prepared people get the jobs. The well-prepared people are those who have clear goals ahead of them and have got the skills to achieve them.
Goal setting is a crucial need for the modern generation of the twenty century. For example, considering the long-term benefits of studying abroad can help individuals to have a clear vision of their future. The main reason behind this is that they need to be clear about what they want to do in life. Time is an excellent asset for the people of the present era, and those who waste it due to unclear goals are not appreciated much by society.
Goal setting is also essential to narrow down the necessary skills required to achieve the goals. It enables the individual to start working in the direction of his/her destination as early as possible and ensure success.
Apart from all this, setting SMART and not just ordinary goals is essential.
Not familiar with SMART goals? Explore the next section to know in detail.
What are SMART Goals?
The current society does not believe in vague ideas and encourages people to develop a systematic approach toward life and their goals. This is one of the main reasons educational institutes preach SMART goals for the students.
Don’t know what SMART goals are? Keep exploring to know about it!
SMART stands for:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Timely
So, the goals for higher productivity at the school and in life are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely and are called SMART goals. The youth of the twenty century are encouraged to be clear about these aspects while setting goals. The purpose is to inspire them to set realistic goals they can measure instead of just verbally phrasing and repeating.
Role of Education in Setting Success-oriented Career Goals
Nevertheless, education plays the most crucial role in teaching people the importance of career goal setting. It explains to them what career goals are and why they are so vital for their success in personal and professional life.
Different levels of education help them understand and set success-oriented career goals differently. It is imperative to note that the environment of learning institutions is significant in cultivating an attitude of goal-oriented thinking among the students. So, ensure the individuals get a progressive environment at every level of education.
Mentioned below are the educational levels and their contribution to the career goal setting of an individual.
1. Primary Education
This is the primary stage of life where the kids are provided the basic guideline about society. They are taught about the common and uncommon professions and in life, and students are encouraged to explore their interests. They are often asked what they want to become in life or which profession they want to pursue later in life.
2. Secondary Level of Education
High school is one of an individual’s most critical educational stages. The children have developed a sense of identity and self-awareness by the time they reach this level. So, the schools and teachers cultivate time management, problem-solving, and other organizational skills. They also focus on the soft skills of the students to help them prosper.
Most importantly, schools boost students’ confidence by helping them set realistic goals and pursue them. They are encouraged to set their goals and achieve them, even if they make mistakes.
3. College Education
The college helps students take the necessary steps toward their career goals. People are allowed to set their direction in life. Whether they want to go in the field of medicine from any country, let’s suppose in the USA, you should have a solid career plan. The scenario is the same for engineering, business, computer studies, or others. They are encouraged to set career-related goals, pursue an education in the same direction, and get the necessary knowledge.
Generally, students get to explore various career options in a specific field. They are allowed to study different courses and develop the surety about their path and passion for life.
4. University Education
Higher education is the most crucial educational stage which prepares an individual for practical life. People get the opportunity of setting short-term and long-term goals.
Short-term goals help the students identify the necessary executive skills they need to succeed in life. In contrast, the long-term goals help them shortlist the industries or companies they can join or develop the plan of starting their business.
For example, students should figure out many long-term career advantages during their university period. In addition to it, the universities provide opportunities for internships to help the students get familiar with practical life. They are also asked to present their projects, which is an excellent opportunity for people having a business mindset to get sponsorship.
Take Away!
Are you pursuing your career goals successfully? It must have made your destination clear and attainable. However, if you do not have any specific goals in life, it’s never too late to set new career goals.
Educational institutions play a significant role in nurturing the essential skills of setting life goals based on foresightedness. The very fact is well-understood by parents as they want to see their children moving forward toward higher goals achievement.
For this reason, the best British curriculum schools are selected to encourage students to build a vision for the future. No doubt, the comprehensive activities of international schools help the students indulge in role-play activities, which helps them identify their passion in life.
So, narrow down interests, abilities, and skills. Evaluate your passion with your skills. Identify more skills and abilities necessary for pursuing your career. Set the short-term and long-term SMART goals. After that, join some courses if you need to polish your skills and start your journey towards your passion. Do not waste any more time and follow your career goals now.
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