Assessing your strengths: How to choose the right career in commerce?

Congratulations on completing your schooling! Now that you’ve accomplished this significant milestone, it’s time to start thinking about your future. One of the most challenging decisions you’ll have to make is choosing the right career path in commerce.

Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Course?

Choosing the right course is crucial as it sets the tone for your career. Your course determines the subjects you’ll study, the skills you’ll develop, and the knowledge you’ll gain. It will influence your job prospects, the industry you’ll work in, and your earning potential. Therefore, picking the right course requires careful consideration and planning.

Moreover, choosing a course that aligns with your interests and strengths can increase your motivation and job satisfaction. It will enable you to leverage your talents and work towards a fulfilling career. Furthermore, changing courses mid-way can be time-consuming, financially draining, and impact your academic performance. Hence, it is essential to make the right decision upfront to avoid these consequences.

The commerce industry is vast and diverse, offering various opportunities in finance, accounting, marketing, human resources, and more. Choosing a career in commerce requires understanding your strengths, skills, and interests. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to assess your strengths to choose the right career in commerce.

How to pick the right course: Steps

Making the right career choice is a crucial step towards building a fulfilling professional life. Whether you’re a student, graduate, or career changer, having a well-planned career development path can reduce the risk of impulsive decisions and help you pursue opportunities aligned with your skills, interests, and aspirations. In this guide, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process on how to choose the right career after completing your 10th or 12th.

Step 1: Self Assessment

Step 2: Explore Careers & Educate Yourself on Opportunities

Step 3: Get Expert Views and Get Answers to Your Questions (you can do this after Step 1 too and a few other times as you make a decision about which career to choose)

Step 5: Set Your Goals and Make a Plan

Step 6: Revisit Your Goals and Plans

Step 1: Self-Assessment

When it comes to assessing yourself for a career in commerce, there are several factors to consider. Start by asking yourself what interests you in the commerce field. Are you drawn to finance, accounting, or entrepreneurship? Consider what skills and qualities are required for jobs in these areas. For example, finance jobs may require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work with numbers.

Next, take a look at the “Big Five” personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Assessing these traits can give you an idea of what kind of work environment and job responsibilities would suit you best. For example, if you score high in extraversion, you may thrive in a sales or marketing role that involves interacting with customers or clients. On the other hand, if you score low in neuroticism, you may be better suited for a job that requires high levels of focus and attention to detail, such as accounting.

It’s also essential to evaluate your capabilities or aptitudes related to the commerce field. Take a skills assessment test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can also consult with career counsellors or mentors to gain insights into what skills are required for jobs in your desired field. Consider using assessment tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Strong Interest Inventory, or Clifton Strengths assessment. These assessments can provide valuable insights into your strengths and interests and help you make informed decisions about your career path.

Step 2: Career Exploration

Exploring the different fields available is a crucial step when choosing a career in commerce. To get a better understanding of the courses and topics within each field, attending demo classes from reputable institutions can be incredibly helpful.

By attending demo classes, you can gain insights into the various topics covered in the course and see if they align with your interests and strengths. It can also help you understand the educational requirements and job opportunities available in each field. It will give you the opportunity to ask questions and seek guidance from instructors and professors. This can be helpful in understanding the skills and qualities required for success in each field and whether you have the aptitude and interest to pursue a career in commerce.

Consider attending career fairs and networking events, which can give you the opportunity to meet professionals in your desired field and gain valuable insights into the industry. Job shadowing and internships are also excellent ways to get a sense of what a particular job entails and whether it would be a good fit for you.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the world of commerce is constantly evolving. New industries and job roles are emerging all the time, and keeping up with the latest trends and developments are crucial for success. Make sure to stay informed about the latest industry news and trends, and be open to exploring new opportunities as they arise.

Main things to keep in mind while selecting a career:1. What are the job roles, opportunities, tasks2. Specialisation tasks, career entry pathways3. What are the education requirements, earning potential4. Career growth, future prospects5. Interest/skill needed6. Personality traits needed

Step 3: Seek Expert Views and Get Answers to Your Questions

Seeking expert views and getting answers to your questions can help you gain a deeper understanding of the career path you’re considering. It can also provide you with valuable insights into the skills and qualities needed to succeed in the field, as well as the potential challenges you may face. By speaking with professionals who are already established in the field, you can gain insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of various roles, potential career paths, and the skills and qualities needed to succeed.

Additionally, speaking with career counsellors can be incredibly helpful in understanding educational requirements, salary expectations, and job market trends. Career counsellors can provide you with information about different educational paths, such as degree programs, certifications, and vocational training, that can prepare you for a career in commerce. They can also help you understand the job market and provide guidance on how to stand out from other candidates.

Step 4: Set Your Goals and Make a Plan

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to set your career goals and create a plan to achieve them. Define short-term and long-term goals, identify the steps required to achieve them, and create a timeline. Consider educational requirements, financial investments, and other commitments while setting your goals.

Short-term goals refer to what you want to achieve within a year, mid-term goals within 2-3 years, and long-term goals within 4-5 years.

For instance, if you’re a student who has completed Class 10, your short-term goals could be to score more than 90% in the 10th Board Examination and choose Humanities with Economics and Mathematics as two elective subjects in Class 11-12. Your mid-term goals could be to score more than 90% in both Economics and Mathematics in the 12th Board Exam and secure admission into a Bachelor’s degree course with an Economics major in one of the top-ranked colleges in India.

Step 5: Revisit Your Goals and Plans

Career planning is not a one-time activity. It requires continuous evaluation, reflection, and revision. Revisit your goals and plans regularly to ensure they align with your evolving interests, skills, and aspirations. Adjust your goals and plans if necessary and seek guidance if you face any challenges.

In conclusion, choosing the right career path is crucial for building a fulfilling professional life. It requires a thorough assessment of yourself, exploring different career options, seeking expert opinions, setting goals, and creating a plan to achieve them. Use this guide as a framework to make an informed career choice and build a successful career.