Career planning for students

Every student starting a career is in a unique situation. Some have come to update their skills after years of work experience, while others are starting a completely new kind of career after changing industries and some are only taking the first steps in working life.

That is why everyone needs to consider the following questions from their point of view:

• What can I do now?
• What do I want to learn next?
• Where do I see myself after graduation?
• Where do I want to be a few years after graduation?

When we understand what we know, what we need to know, and where we want to end up in our careers, it is easier to make the right choices for ourselves. You can’t always decide in advance what your profession will be, but you can be sure to make the right choices so you can obtain your best possible career path.

What skills do I need to achieve my goal?

When we know what we know, it is easier for us to think about what other skills we need. For example, this helps students when they are selecting their optional study courses or thinking about what kind of summer jobs or internships they would like to apply for.

Especially concerning summer jobs and internships, you should challenge yourself so that at the graduation stage you have already grown into an expert in your technical field, and you do not have to start accumulating work experience and skills after graduation.

During your studies, you should also think about your career from a slightly longer perspective. What you want to do when you graduate and where you want to be, for example, five years after graduation. For example, after studying is your goal to become a supervisor, do you want to become an entrepreneur, do you want to work abroad, or do you want to go back to your home municipality? When you know where you’re going, it’s easier to make the right choices and think about how you want to realize your professional dream.

Don’t be left alone with your thoughts

You should be open about your career and related aspirations. Tell your fellow students about your thoughts so that you can find people whose goals support yours and you can encourage each other.

As a member of the Union, you also have access to the Union’s career services. Experts specializing in students’ questions regarding career and working life visit campuses regularly. You can also reach other union experts on all issues related to career and working life through customer service. To support your professional self-reflection, also make use of our training courses and webinar library in regards to job hunting and career planning.