CAREER CHOICE TIPS FOR “A” LEVEL GRADUATES

The results of the 2020 “A” Level sitting came out early this week. This is particularly a time whereby anxiety grips both the graduates and their parents/ guardians as they reflect on the results, with the view of exploring the available career options that the graduates can take up. It is amazing to note that anxiety, confusion, frustration at times affects those who will have excelled as much as it does to those who may not have performed perhaps to their expectations. The demands of this decisive stage are better managed by parents/ guardians who would have exposed their children to prior consistent career education or who can afford to get professional services of Career Coaches so they facilitate dialogue and aid decision making.

It goes without saying that the stage is also characterised by intense emotions from both parents/ guardians and graduates as they seek convergence on the matter. Tensions particularly are exacerbated in instances where some parents/ guardians adopt the prescriptive approach on account of them being financiers of education. There are those who will seek to prescribe careers that will aid their social standing and satisfaction in the family and society, albeit at the expense of the graduate.

In this article, I will look at some of the considerations that have to be looked at, to help graduates in their transition to tertiary education.

1.   Passion

 Satisfying and fulfilling careers are built on an individual’s passion as an individual will be connecting with the career based on what they love. Passion evolves around what one loves doing, or what they derive satisfaction from when they do it even without getting paid for their services. Creativity and innovation are also more pronounced where a person loves and enjoys what they will be doing. It is important to help the graduate identify their passion as the point of departure as it a more accurate predictor of future personal growth and success.

 In effect, good remuneration follows passion as one’s worth will keep appreciating on account of their capacity, quality of service delivery, reinventing oneself and innovation. The common error that parents/ guardians make at times is prescribing career options they think or perceive as financially rewarding. While generally and traditionally there are careers that were regarded as more rewarding, evolution of careers and experience has shown that anyone who is good at what they do will be well rewarded regardless of their career choice as the market pays for value. Suffice to say that when one is serving in an area of their calling, they match the challenge and stamp relevance that puts a demand for them to be well remunerated.  

2.   Aptitude and capabilities

 It is vital to consider aptitude tests where parents/ guardians can afford them as they will help better and objectively identify the child’s capacity, strengths, talents and abilities. Experience has shown that at times even graduates who had excelled in their examinations choose wrong careers as they will demonstrated capacity for most careers from which they can select. Parents/ guardians assume that when a child has excelled in their “A”s, they do not necessarily need serious guidance or can pursue any career of their choice. As a result they will choose a career they may not necessarily be compatible with, on account of academic capacity neglecting their personality, wiring and attitude among other career success ingredients which can only be objectively identified through scientific tests. Where the tests are unaffordable, an honest discussion with the child will be important to enable them to better understand their disposition, preferences and strengths. The dialogue can also include other close people that know the child and can give constructive feedback and input on the child’s disposition so decision making is better.

3.   Evolution and mutation of the career

 The COVID – 19 pandemic and Industry 4.0 revolution have clearly demonstrated the need for understanding the potential for evolution and mutation of jobs. The two realities have led to obsolescence of some jobs in the present and are pointing at extinction of some jobs in the future. That being the reality, parents and guardians need to help graduates have better horizons and understanding of what their career preferences have a likelihood to become in the future.

 There are some degree programmes and courses that are on the verge of extinction which may lead to unnecessary loss of time and resources as a lot of uncertainty surrounds their existence in the future. The review has to be done taking cognisance of the national, regional and global trends as graduates have to be prepared for global relevance. With the advent of remote working as a growing trend, graduates have to be enlightened on the possibilities of evolving as trends change so they invest knowingly. Where possible, advice has to be sought from practising professionals in the discipline of choice so an informed perspective is given. Since these graduates are digitally compliant, they can research further on the internet building on practical advice from practising professionals.

 There are instances whereby a graduate may not have scored the required entry points for their preferred degree programme but can still pursue a qualification that will enable them to gain access to their preferred career. It is important to give them such guidance assessing both the time and costs associated with such a route. A clear cost benefit analysis has to be done so the graduate gets good guidance.

4.   Room for self – employment and entrepreneurial development

This aspect applies for graduates who have no interest in living and working outside Zimbabwe. While it is generally recommended to be prepared for the global village, it is reality that there are some individuals who prefer to stay in their home country. The economic prospects of our nation presently demonstrate the need for careers that develop skills that can be exploited for self-employment and entrepreneurial development. While we remain optimistic when it comes to economic growth, moreso looking at the effects of the COVID – 19 pandemic, it is paramount for individuals to be equipped with skills that provide room for self – employment and entrepreneurship. That being said, a candid engagement on the career choices is an imperative so graduates do not study to come and add to the unemployment statistics. It is prudent to prepare them for the realities in our economy so there is value creation during their period of study and after they complete their studies.

5.   Multi – skilling prospects

 It is vital to seek expert advice from professionals on the skills – set of any preferred career option. It is advisable for graduates to consider career options that tool them with a wide skills - set so they have many options upon completion of their tertiary education. They can then choose to specialise as they grow in their career depending on their preferences as well as direction they may choose to take.

6.   Cost of career misalignment versus realignment

 The point of discussion of this submission sprang from “passion” as the key consideration when making a career choice. Organizations are stalling, stagnant and suffocating on account of misaligned individuals more than other enablers and critical success factors. Some chose their careers due to financial reasons, perceived esteem needs, lack of options among other reasons. Consequently, they get frustrated as some of their expectations are not met by the jobs they hold. This inhibits innovation, growth and profitability as the drivers will be lacking both capacity and will. There is another group of people who will seek realignment through retraining, on – the – job training and further education. Often, people who change their careers after years of practice will make it as they harness previously acquired experience. While this is commendable, the major challenge is that it is extremely expensive and time consuming to make a career shift. Other areas of one’s life stagnate as they seek to reinvent themselves. The timing also has to be perfect before one has other burdens like a family to raise. This cost can be avoided if time is invested upon graduating from high school. Making the right decision is cost effective in every sense be it financial, time wise and emotionally especially in the Zimbabwean context where resources have to be utilized in areas of highest impact.

7.   Debunking the “Dream Study Institution Mentality”

 Another burning question has to do with the institutions with which the graduates can take up their tertiary education with. Firstly, there is at times over - emphasis on the institution at the expense of the course to be studied. While it is true that there are some institutions of higher learning that have better reputations in terms of the quality of the graduates they produce, it is very important to guard against this entitlement and  be rational when evaluating the worth of the programme to be studied. It would be pointless to study an inferior programme at an esteemed learning institution, declining a more strategic and relevant programme offered by a less – esteemed institution. At the end of the day, the labour market absorbs products based on relevance of their skills to the demands of business and not necessarily the institution that one studied with. Yes, while there is a general tendency to consider institutions, the reality is a candidate will be marketable on account of the skills - set they possess and their potential to develop further. That being said, it is important to be cautious when making this critical decision.

 It is important for parents/ guardians to collaborate with “A” Level graduates so they get good guidance on career choice. It is also advisable to seek professional advice from the existing network from various interactions that the parents and guardians have. Where it is sustainable, professional services from psychologists, practising professionals where they are accessible and HR practitioners can be sought so graduates have a smooth transition into tertiary education and eventually working life.

 About the Author

Mufaro Makarudze is a freelance Human Resources Consultant based in Harare, Zimbabwe.