This discussion aims to delineate how career development works.
Career Development
For starters, it is the formal process which essentially forms an individual’s work identity. It lasts for several years and is mandatory for not just professional progression, but personal development as well.
For instance, there are several cases where a child has his heart set on a specific profession, and he spends his life in pursuit of accomplishing exactly that. On the flip side, there are cases where children do not learn until much later what they wish to do in their professional lives.
In essence, career development begins the moment an individual starts this process. It continues in earnest as the person explores different options at their disposal before they narrow it down to a single choice.
However, since we are talking about career ‘development,’ it does not cease when a decision is made. An individual must pursue specific education and training and then submit his applications before he secures a job and begins employment.
If an individual wants to become a pilot, doctor or engineer, he must seek the necessary education and enroll. Once it is complete, he must search for adequate employment. Once he is working, career development may entail changing jobs and in some cases, signal career shifts as well. It is not necessary that if an individual has learned one particular skill that he must practice it as well. There are many who do not apply their professional education in their employment.
Therefore, we can positively surmise that there is no age or time when career development begins. Some make occupational decisions reasonably early on, while others don’t do so until much later. While children and adults are free to make their own decisions, it helps to seek guidance as well.
This is precisely why many schools and universities employ career counselors. Career guidance and words of wisdom can serve individuals well. Those assigned this task are typically trained professionals who can help candidates make certain decisions which lead them to develop successful careers.
Also called vocational education, in its broadest sense, career development is meant to prepare individuals for their main activity as adults. Having aspirations generally leads individuals to find paid employment.
This means that those on the brink of completing their formal education may be required to undertake entrance and admission tests in various organizations before they can confirm their status as employees.
Candidates must prepare adequately for these tests if they are to enter the organization of their preference. One of the main objectives of vocational education is to develop candidates for a career. Therefore, anyone who acquires an education and then wishes to apply in some capacity, ideally in a paying role is involved in the vocational process.
In conclusion, if an individual is seeking education with a greater purpose, it can be said that there is a vocational element to it and that his career development has begun in earnest.
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