Can you list more than 27 jobs in 3 minutes?

Posted on March 21, 2012 by b4iapply

I just did a simple exercise. I took a piece of paper and wrote down all the jobs that came to my mind in 3 minutes. I came up with 27.

I suggest you do the same. Time yourself;  3 min only. And don’t cheat. When the time is up, stop writing even if more ideas pop up!

Did you manage to list more than 27 jobs in 3 minutes?

How many jobs did you come up with? If you got more than 27, my respects.

It sounds a silly exercise but there is a reason I am writing a post about it.

I was looking at my answers and I identified an interesting pattern:

  1. First, I wrote down all the professions that are positively portrayed in the media e.g. doctors, lawyers, actors, etc
  2. Then, I thought of all the jobs I come in contact with in everyday life e.g. shop keepers, plumbers, bus drivers, real estate agents, etc
  3. In the end, when I was a bit stuck I started thinking about my friends/family and what jobs each of them is doing.

The point I want to make is that we are mainly influenced by:

  • what we watch on TV, newspapers and magazines
  • our everyday interactions
  • what professions our friends & family do.

However, there are so many other interesting jobs out there that we are not aware of; especially the new ones that have been created due to technological and scientific advancements. And these are the ones with promising long-term prospects.

So, don’t be satisfied with traditional practices and conventional wisdom. Try to explore the professions of the future.

And if you can list more than 27 jobs in 3 minutes, send me an email.

Attention UK readers: the book ‘b4iappy to uni’ is now available on both Amazon Kindle and iTunes.

Posted in b4iapply to college, b4iapply to uni, Before I apply, Career Advice | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Take control of your future

Posted on March 13, 2012 by b4iapply

Most young people aspire to a higher education as it has many benefits. However graduate unemployment has hit a record-high and tuition fees have increased significantly.  Many applicants are confused.

The conclusions, though far from pleasant, are clear:

  • A degree no longer guarantees a graduate a job. You need to be aware of this before you apply to university – and have realistic expectations of what a degree can offer you.
  • Job prospects vary widely across subjects. Only by doing sufficient research will you be equipped to understand the long-term trends in the career you’re considering and be able to study the subject that will enable you to pursue it.

Furthermore it is important when making decisions about your future to consider your strengths and passions.  I have witnessed firsthand people locked into jobs that they don’t particularly enjoy – each working day is simply something to get through whilst they wait for the weekend to come around.

There are, however, some people who have made a career out of what they are passionate about, and they enjoy their work – they excel at what they do and are very successful. Unfortunately, these people are in the minority.

The world is changing faster than ever. By following traditional practices, you may miss significant opportunities. To realize your potential, you need to invest time and effort in your research and decide which career is best for you. Empowered with this knowledge, you will be able to make an informed decision about what to study at university.

It is possible that you will have multiple careers over the course of your working life. Don’t underestimate, though, how vital it is to find out early enough the direction you want to head in.

The book ‘b4iappy to uni’ will provide you with a 4-step framework to set you on your way. It aims to give structure to your research and show you how to take control of your future.

Available for the UK readers to order it now from:

Posted in b4iapply to uni, Before I apply, Career Advice, Higher Education, Link education with career | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to make university years the best and the most useful years of your life

Posted on March 7, 2012 by b4iapply

Most people consider their university years as the best years of their lives.

I am definitely one of these people. I really had a great time during my degree and I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting to have a good life. I am sure you agree with me on this.

However, I have to admit that I’ d rather had studied something different.

Did I know then?

Well, I studied agricultural engineering. I had never spent anytime in a farm before, I didn’t have any special interest in plants/flowers/etc and I didn’t plan to work in this area for the rest of my life. I decided though to ignore all the signs.

And I am not the only one who made the wrong choice.

I did a small survey at www.facebook.com/b4iapply.

48% of participants said that they would prefer to have studied a completely different subject. No doubt the sample size is small (Do vote if you haven’t done yet. The bigger the sample, the better. And thanks to all those who have). The result though is revealing.

Unfortunately, the majority of students continue to do the same mistake as I (and many others) did. They go to university and only later they realize the job prospects and their fit with the area they have chosen. They are often disappointed.

Decide what to study with a specific career path in mind

If you want to make the university years the best and the most useful years of your life, follow this one simple advice.

When to choose what to study, decide with a specific career in mind.

Find FIRST what career path fits best your strengths and passions, and then study a relevant subject. Not the other way around.

Don’t underestimate how vital it is to find early enough the direction you want to head in. Otherwise, it will cost you time, effort and money if you want to make changes later on.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, author of 2 books, consultant and speaker.

Posted in Before I apply, Higher Education, Link education with career | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What do you want to be when you grow up? And what goes wrong afterwards.

Posted on February 29, 2012 by b4iapply

What do you want to be when you grow up? We have all been asked this question and we ask the same one to all little kids we meet. The answers can be wildly different; from doctor to actor, from lawyer to painter.

It is a classic question. It is also a very smart one. It makes you think big-picture. It allows you to have a passion and purpose in life.

Then, the situation changes dramatically. At the age of 16, the question becomes ‘What do you want to study at university?’

This is a significant change. Instead of asking young people to think long-term, we indirectly force them to be short-sighted. Is the university an end in itself or is it the platform to an interesting career?

Currently, the majority of students study a subject at university and only later they understand the job prospects and their fit with the area they have chosen. They are often disappointed.

I strongly encourage them to DO THE OPPOSITE;

  • Identify what career they want to follow first.
  • Then, choose a degree to make it happen.

In this way, students will also have a clear understanding in their mind of ‘Why’ they study, not only of ‘What’ they study.

It is a significant paradigm shift but a necessary one; especially during these challenging times of high unemployment and increased student debts.

University is not an end in itself; it is the means to have meaningful careers and fulfilling lives.

So let’s encourage the young people to think big and long-term. So, next time you meet teenagers, paraphrase the question that inspired all of us when we were kids. Ask them what they want to become. Encourage them to dream and get a plan to make it happen.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, author of 2 books, coach and speaker. She has worked as senior pharmaceutical executive for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her blog b4iapply is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

Posted in b4iapply to college, b4iapply to uni, Higher Education, Link education with career, What to study | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Is it worth going to University?

Posted on February 21, 2012 by b4iapply

Is it worth going to university? This is the question that keep most 6-formers (and their parents) awake at night.

Undoubtedly, higher education is an ideal that young people have been aspired for generations. However, the skyrocketing tuition fees and the increased graduate unemployment rate force most of them to get to grip with the new reality.

  • There are many who make the case against going to university. They argue that there are better options to ‘learn and earn’ that don’t cost so much and provide equally good or even better long-term benefits (e.g. apprenticeships, short-term courses or on-line courses while working, entrepreneurial initiatives, etc).
  • There are also those who make the case in favor of higher education. They firmly believe that people who go to university learn to think critically, to work in teams and they also get the opportunity to develop a social network that will be invaluable later on in their career. Even during recession, they have better chances to find a job that those who don’t have a degree.

The truth though is that no answer fits all. In a previous post, I made the comparison that investing in higher education is similar to investing in property. In principle, the benefits of both investments are many. However, a positive return on investment (ROI) will be achieved only if you invest in the right property. Same principle applies for higher education.

Prospects vary across subjects and universities. Hence, you need to be selective about what you study and where you study. Success will also depend on the effort you make during your university years. The more you are involved with your studies and extra-curriculum activities, the more you will get out of them.

Don’t just go to university because you don’t know what else to do or because all your friends are going. If you are not clear what you want to study, you will be better off to get some work experience under your belt first.

Higher education has become expensive. If you decide to go to university, make sure it is worth your investment by studying a degree that fits your strengths and interests and will provide you with good career prospects.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, author of 2 books, coach and speaker. She has worked as senior pharmaceutical executive for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her blog b4iapply is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

Posted in b4iapply to college, b4iapply to uni, Higher Education, What to study | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment