What Is A Career? - A Complete Guide

What is the meaning of ‘Career’? This is a question that often arises in the minds of students and young professionals. A career is more than just a job, it is an individual’s journey of lifelong learning, working, learning and personal growth. It typically involves specialised training or formal education. In simple terms, a career is what you do for a living and how you grow in that field over time.

This Story also Contains

1. Defining the Term “Career”
2. Types Of Career Paths
3. What Is Career Counselling?
4. Job vs Career: What’s the Difference?

Defining the Term “Career”

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a "career" is a person's "course or progress through life (or a distinct portion of life)". The word can also refer to an occupation, profession, vocation or employment.

The career path includes everything from your education, training, jobs that you take (paid for or unpaid), to the skills that you develop over time. For example, a career could mean working as a Doctor, Lawyer, or Engineer or any other profession of your choice.

Understanding Career Goals

Once we understand what a career is, the next step is to define career goals. These are long-term professional aims that you set for yourself, based on your interests and ambitions. They are professional targets that you aim to achieve in your professional journey.

Career goals can be different such as,

• Short-term goals: Getting into a desired college or completing a certification.

• Long-term goals: Becoming a CEO, an IAS officer, or a research scientist.

Understanding what your career goal is and selecting the right academic path, developing relevant skills and gaining required experience is necessary to survive in this field.

What Is a Career Plan?

Since we now have clarity on what is the meaning of a ‘career’, and what is a career goal, let us understand what is a career plan. A career plan includes interim goals, eventual career goals, and all the efforts you make to achieve them.

For instance, if your goal is to become a software engineer, your plan could include:

• Choosing science and computer-related subjects in Class 11.

• Pursuing a bachelors degree in Computer Science followed by masters in the same field.

• Gaining practical experience through internships in tech companies.

• Earning certifications in programming languages.

Read on to know more about what is a good job and what is a corporate job.

Types Of Career Paths

Students often face the dilemma of ‘What career should I choose?’ Understanding different types of career pathways can help you make a wise and calculated career decision.

Path 1: Exploring Different Jobs to Discover Your Niche

This involves trying out jobs unrelated to each other to finally gain clarity on your interested area. Working on different jobs might help you understand which profession suits you the best. For example, you can be interning in a fashion design studio, studying business, and later working at a BIG 4 companies.

Also Read: Top 5 Factors for Career Options in India

Path 2: Advancing in the Same Profession

The second path involves advancing in the same occupation gradually as you gain experience. You can work in the same organisation or at different companies for the same profession.

For example, start working as a teacher, then can move to a different role of a curriculum coordinator, vice-principal and eventually becoming the Principal of a school.

Path 3: Growing in the Same Industry Through Different Roles

This path involves moving up the higher positions professionally through diversified roles in the same industry but does not mean that you work in the same occupation.

For example, if your ultimate goal in life is to be a retail chain store manager, you can begin doing an internship at a retail chain store, and then qualify for a salesperson position. After gaining some experience you may become a department manager, then an assistant store manager and eventually a store manager.

Please Note: Every person may have their own different career path and it may not be a linear one. We all have our own unique experiences. However, we suggest that students explore and encash as many relevant opportunities as they can. This helps to create a better network and industry readiness.

Read further about what is a good job and what is a corporate job.

What Is Career Counselling?

Making a career decision is a crucial and significant milestone for every student. Career counselling helps individuals understand themselves and explore suitable career options. This includes assessing one’s aptitude, interest, skills, personality and much more.

Career counsellors guides students in:

• Choosing the right educational path

• Identifying career options that are aligned with personal interests and skills.

• Ensuring a smooth transition from academics to industry.

When to Start Career Counselling?

• Class 9: Ideal time to start exploring career options.

• Class 10–12: Helps in subject selection and further educational path planning.

• Post-school/college: Useful for choosing degree programs and later career changes.

Also Read:

• How To Choose A Stream In Class 11

• Career Options After 12th

Job vs Career: What’s the Difference?

To understand what is the meaning of a ‘career’, it is essential to understand the difference between a job and a career. A job is a specific role you are assigned to which provides you income. A job can be full-time or part-time, and requires learning specialised skills relevant to the job role.

For instance, if a company hires a local building contractor to complete an office renovation. The company and the contractor agree upon the terms of payment duration, so the job ends once the project is finished and the office is renovated. However, a career might last for your entire life that consists of all the jobs you have done in your chosen industry. For instance, you can build a career in Education, Finance, or other for your life.

While many people consider a career just as a job role, it is important to understand that it is a broad concept. A career is the sum total of decisions that direct your educational, social, economic, and spiritual aspirations. It’s a lifelong journey that reflects your personality, ambitions and values. Careers are constantly evolving, so it’s essential to be updated by keeping a mindset for constant learning. By following these steps you can also start to take charge of your own future! All the best!