Building an early career plan that your future-self will thank you for!

Headstart: Building an early career plan that your future-self will thank you for!

Entering the workforce is an uphill battle. You're still trying to figure out your first turn in while your friends and colleagues are already reaching the finish line as they land their dream jobs. It feels like everyone else has got it all together while you’re already feeling lost in a battle that just got started, the feeling is overwhelming, right? 

In fact, you're not alone! Here’s some insights about us young folks:  

• A survey revealed by Gartner (2022) that almost half (46%) of Gen Z employees found it harder to pursue their career or education goals. 
• And more than half (51%) of those surveyed said their education didn't prepare them enough to enter the workforce. 

So, whether you're a university student or a fresh grad, it's never too late to start planning your career trajectory and explore in your early careers. We are capable and we have something extraordinary within ourselves. Don't let the FOMO or fear of missing out hold you back to press that start button! 

Here's a little secret: career planning is like a game and find out what we mean by this. 

Early career is the era of exploration and the first step of many. Approaching your early career is  similar to playing a video game. It is like analyzing a video game character which is you, your interests and strengths and deciding on how to play with it. 

Early career planning allows you to explore career paths that help you gain different skills through experience. With strategic moves, you can progress and level up towards your goals and achieve success. 

Remember: There's no one-size-fits-all approach to a successful career but career planning can really help you process and think about your next move.  

The guide: Tips to map out your next career move as student and fresh graduate

Gen Zs are the future of work! Here’s how you can crush your early career and slay like a pro: 

• Dreaming without a plan is just a ‘wish’

Planning is like a treasure map to your dreams. But before you start digging, you need to know where to look! That's why it's important to get to know yourself first. Take those fun online quizzes. 

Do some soul-searching and self-reflection to figure out what lights you up inside. Taking a moment to reflect can be the secret sauce to success! Studies say it boosts productivity and performance, so don't be shy to pause and ponder. 

Once you have a good idea of what you're passionate about, you can start planning out your smart goals, have a north star to guide you, and make sure to break it down into smaller, achievable steps. With a solid plan in place, you'll be well on your way to living your dream life.

• Feed your curiosity with experience

You've got a plan, but what good is it if you don't take action, am I right? As Gen Z, we're famous for our flexibility. Take some time to volunteer, start a side hustle, pursue creative projects, compete on hackathons or land an internship to really get to know yourself and your abilities. 

Having more experience and documenting it with a kick-ass Rise profile under your belt is like catnip to those Boomer employers - they love it! So go ahead and level up your career game and be the game-changer in the future of work – this is what makes you and your resume set-up apart among others. 

• Find yourself a wise sage and be trained like a dragon 

Two heads is better than one! Having a mentor or a professional in your field can be a game-changer! They can give you insider tips, share their own experiences (+ you can ask something they wished early on and learn from it!) 

It's like having a cheat code to skip all the tough levels and get ahead faster. Having a mentor can be a great source of motivation when you're feeling stuck or unsure of your next move. Check out these professionals from ADPList that mentors students for free from around the world!

And that’s a wrap, rising stars! Early career is  all about finding what works best for you, and using your curiosity and experiences to shape your path. It's like taking yourself into an adventure, except you get to choose and build your own route. Remember, your career journey is unique to you and it's important to plan it out on your own terms. Don't feel like you have to rush or keep up with anyone else. 

You're young and you've got plenty of time to slay. So go out there, follow your passions, seek guidance, make those career moves like the boss you are.