How to discover your career pathway

Finding your career path is not a magic trick or a user guide that we can follow to find success. According to research to grow triumph in one's career, we need a combination of on-the-job, social, and formal learning, also known as the 70-20-10 model.

• 70% of your professional growth will come from your experiences
• 20% will come from your interactions with others
• 10% will come from formal education.

So, you ask, “how do I find my career path”? Pull out your notebook and answer these questions for me:

• What is your dream job, and why?
• What are some excellent soft skills that you have?
• What are some excellent technical skills that you have?
• Do you like to be in the spotlight or work behind the scene?
• What are you not so great at, but would love to improve?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Are you happy with your current job, if not what will it take for you to enjoy what you do?

Now, I want you to take this career quiz to see what else you find out about your career path.

Our life is a series of experiences, some we like and have lovely memories from, and others we never want to remember. You will find most of your answers about moving forward by looking back at your career experiences.

Look at my career timeline below; it took me years to finally dig through my career experience to find my passion and drive.

Can you create a career map for yourself using this template?

For additional guidance, I will be attaching my very own Career Timeline for you also.

Be exact in your milestones and where you want to be in your career. Type your “career goal” at the end of the timeline; it helps to begin with the “finish” and then go back to the beginning.  

You manage your destination, sketch out your career map without any hesitation or fear.

Learning Matters

Career paths are unique for each person. Technical, soft, and leadership skills are a must for success, no matter what you do.  Additional learning may be required, such as getting a higher degree or obtaining specific certifications that are unique for that career path. Education is a particularly important aspect of growing oneself and becoming an expert in your career field.

Money Matters

How can you make money while following your dreams? We have been taught early that our career goals must be separate from our passions. Do you agree with that?

Here are some fantastic people who followed their passion and made it big. Source

Mark Cuban

Before Cuban started his first company, MicroSolutions, and made over $2.4 billion, he worked as a salesman at a computer store. But Cuban was swiftly fired after failing to open the store one day because he was busy with a potential client. Needless to say, it was the last time he would work for anyone but himself. Some people just know they are a boss… Even when they're fired by their boss!

George Clooney

Even though Clooney had Hollywood in his blood, he did not always have it easy. Among other jobs, Clooney worked as a door-to-door insurance salesman. He also tested his hand at playing professional baseball, trying out for the Cincinnati Reds in 1977, but luckily did not make the cut. It is clear to see now that George is doing what he loves, but even for him, it took trial and error.

Walt Disney

Before he dominated the cartoon and amusement-park empire, Walt Disney was an ambulance driver in France during World War I. He then took a job as a newspaper editor but was fired for "lacking imagination" and having "no good ideas." Criticisms that seem incomprehensible now. The loss of his job was a blessing in disguise, as it freed him up to do something he loved. Heading to Hollywood, Walt proved that successful people do not give up, and set goals more significant than any before– he had his heart set on producing a cartoon series. Disney followed his passion even when others doubted his talent, for that the world will never be the same.

There are so many other examples of amazing individuals, would yours be next? Create your career map and remove any hesitations you have. The world is at your fingertips.