Career options

The employment market is undergoing constant change. You will need to understand how your degree is valued by industry and the type of jobs you can do, and keep up to date with trends and expectations to ensure successful decision making and job search. Take a good look at the labour market; you are likely to discover opportunities you hadn't thought about and some which may not be directly related to the content of your degree but which are still interesting. Actions to take:

• research different careers and occupations
• explore the pathways of previous graduates
• gain exposure to different workplaces and roles
• connect with employers.

Keep in mind that the answer you come to in your first year of studies may not always align with your values and goals a few years later. You should aim to periodically review your thoughts on career pathways and adjust your further decisions. At some point you will need to prioritise your options and assess whether your choices are realistic. If you're finding it difficult to narrow down your career ideas, try to follow these tips:

• there are no wrong decisions. You may have many roles during your lifetime. Even if your first job turned out to be not quite right, it will undoubtedly help you build important skills and clarify what it is that you're looking for.
• set yourself realistic goals and time-frames. Think short-term, medium-term and long-term goals.

Always remember that nothing transpires without your own action. Create a plan that outlines the following steps and identify the skills and experiences you need to develop and how to gain those. Find out who can assist you in this process. You are never alone in the ANU, so make sure you reach out to the ANU Careers & Employability consultants, who can assist you with developing effective job search strategies and becoming skilled in application, selection and interview processes.