How to Select a Career and Stay Focused
As students, many career and educational options are open to us, especially with the growing popularity of online education.
It can be frustrating and difficult to pick a career that fits you personally.
Once that difficult decision is made, the challenge becomes maintaining focus and motivation while in school in order to achieve your career goal.
Selecting Your Career
Before you make a career choice, you have to assess yourself honestly and thoroughly.
Really think about your own values and interests and make a list.
For example, if you are savvy with computers or skilled at organizing, then write that down. You can use a self-assessment test online, otherwise referred to as a career aptitude test.
Ask yourself a very important and sometimes difficult question. What do you want? What do you need from a career to make you happy?
For some people, that answer might center on income, working in a specific industry or you might prefer working outdoors.
Make a list of all the careers you are considering.
Don’t just put down the job title; include the education requirements, average salary, and any pertinent information.
Such as, if you want to be a doctor, you will not only have to complete so many years of education, but you will have to complete a residency after medical school.
This visualization will help you compare and contrast.
As you are coming up with occupations based upon your own unique personality, keep in mind that you should only select a career field that is halal and will provide clean money for your family.
You don’t want to work with beer breweries or industries that cater to immoral behaviors.
Narrow Down Selection
Once you have a partial list, start to analyze it.
If you don’t want to spend more than 4 years in college, delete anything that requires a graduate degree.
Compare the options you compiled and try to narrow your selection down. If you are struggling with this, ask a friend or family member for help.
Talk to people that know your strengths and weaknesses.
They can help you identify which careers suit you better.
Reach out and talk to people in this profession.
You might find out it entails more than you realized or has specific duties you don’t like.
Use websites like LinkedIn to find people in those career fields and reach out. Think of it like an interview with them to see if this is the job you really want.
Once you think you have selected your career path, pray istikhara.
This is a great sunnah that was encouraged by the Prophet Mohamed (Peace, blessings and mercy of Allah upon him) for not just large decisions, but anything we are unsure of.
“’If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two Rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer…”[Sunan Al-Nasa’i]
If you are still unsure, keep praying istikhara and spend time in self-reflection.
This is a very important decision that will impact your future. Don’t rush it and make sure your final decision belongs to you.
Planning and Focus in School
Once you select your career path, it is time to set goals and plan a strategy. Think of it like planning a roadmap from point A to B.
Put down your short-term as well as long-term goals and the steps you have to take along the route.
Those identified short-term goals will help you stay motivated en route to the long-term goals.
As you begin school you will have an initial burst of motivation and excitement, but staying focused and maintaining your studies requires commitment and an investment of time.
You can maintain your energy and focus, but it will require consistency and self-discipline.
“And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].”[Quran 3:159]
Your Health
Ensuring you sleep enough, eat properly, and give yourself time for recreation is not just about enjoying life, it is about ensuring you are psychologically and physically able to put your best foot forward.
Additionally, you must maintain your spiritual health. Hold strongly to your five daily prayers while spending time in dhikr every day.
Instead of rushing out on exam days, give yourself an extra 10 minutes to read Quran and make duaa.
If you keep yourself healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually, you will be able to perform better.
Short-term Goals
You know the long-term goal, but it is important to break this down into smaller segments.
It will keep you motivated with incremental bursts of accomplishment.
If you only focus on the long-term goal, it can begin to feel overwhelming and far away.
Take the time to celebrate every semester you succeed in. Reward yourself.
Remove Distractions
I know you love your phone, but set it aside when studying.
Remove any distractions from your immediate area. It is in your best interest to not access social media while studying or in class.
Honestly answer this question: what distracts your attention when you should be working?
You know that answer. Are you reading this while you are supposed to be studying right now.
Whiteboard
You don’t necessarily have to use a whiteboard. You can substitute this with phone apps or desktop calendars, but I personally found greater success with whiteboards, and to this day I still have them in my office.
Write down your daily tasks as well as larger projects due later. If you have an exam coming up, put it on your board with a star reminding you to study for it.
The idea is to organize yourself and create a visualization that acts as a reminder.
In addition to having a whiteboard up on your wall (near a location you will work), you can utilize phone reminders to alert you for study time.
The trick is you have to actually listen to the reminder and immediately stop watching Netflix and go study.
Pace Yourself
This is a marathon not a race.
If you are pursuing a 4-year-degree, then don’t expect you can push 90-hour weeks for years or go to the point where you have chronic back aches.
You need time to take a break, recharge, and come back stronger.
You will perform better in school if you learn to consistently pace yourself rather than occasional sprints of energy and work after periods of procrastination.
Remember Your Reason
During those times you are struggling, remember why you are pursuing this education and career in the first place. Is this meant to support your family and, inshallah, your child one day?
Is this meant to provide financial security for your home? Will this type of career field be pleasing to Allah (Most glorified and revered), thus a means to please Him and work for reward?
These reasons are your anchors, giving you strength and hope when it seems difficult.
Make a poster to hang in your room with inspirational quotes or pictures related to your reasons and goals.
Final Thoughts
It is important to examine your unique situation and determine what the best route is for you.
Everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses, as well as life situations that will determine which career and education best suit them.
For some of us, we end up changing our degree path or deciding to go back to school after we are an adult.
No matter what your situation or motivation, you can achieve your career and school goals, insha-Allah, as long as you remain committed and always seek help from Allah (Swt).
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This article is from our archive, published on an earlier date and highlighted here for its importance.
SOURCE: https://aboutislam.net/family-life/youth-4-the-future/select-career-stay-focused/2/