When considering career options, it is always important to consider both your strengths and your interests. What is it that interests and excites you? What is it that you think you'll be motivated to get out of bed for each morning? And importantly, does this match with your personal and academic strengths?
While making decisions about what to study in the senior years of high school and at university, reflect on your experiences both at school and in your extracurricular activities outside of school.
What are your strengths and interests?
Think about what you're currently studying. What have you found positive or negative about each study area? What do you look forward to? Which topics interest you? Which subjects do you find easy to stay on top of, and in which subjects do you procrastinate studying for? Do you like group work or do you prefer working independently? Are you good at something in particular? Understanding and recognising your strengths and interests goes a long way to helping you make good choices about your future course and career options.
Are you choosing a course for the right reasons?
It’s common to be influenced by what your parents do or to lean towards a career path simply because you’re strong in a particular subject – like choosing engineering because you’re good at maths or journalism because you enjoy English. While this can be a helpful starting point, it’s only part of the picture.
When considering your future, ask yourself:
- Do I understand what the job actually involves day to day?
- Would I enjoy the typical environment and tasks of that career?
- Does this career align with how I like to learn and work – independently or in groups, hands-on or theory-based?
- Can I see myself doing this long term?
A good career fit isn't just about academic ability – it's also about your personality, preferences and what energises you. You might also want to explore a double degree, which lets you combine two interests and open up a broader range of career options.
Keep these thoughts in mind as you talk with Deakin lecturers and students at Deakin Open Day.
