PEOPLE should decide early on a career objective, which will involve decisions on what programme of study to take and when and where studies should be pursued.

A career objective must not be confused with a job objective, which is a short term plan for employment. It may not be related to a long term plan and could be very seasonal. As a job seeker, you may indicate on your resume you career objective or your job objective. When the distinction is noted, it gives the employer the opportunity to make more precise decisions on recruitment.

How to decide your career objective

A career objective is decided after careful thinking and analysis of your interests, values and abilities as well as the demand for the area and the availability or access to training and development in the area. Advantages

This may include a scientific self analysis, done with the help of a career specialist who will discuss the findings with you and guide you. Before deciding, it will involve looking at various options and research. After going through this process, you are highly motivated and begin to work towards achieving your goals in a straight forward and meaningful way.

1. Having a early career objective helps you to choose subject areas in keeping with your expected area of study. It therefore saves time, money and eliminates frustration which could take place at another level of your career development when you suddenly realise what career you want to pursue but do not possess the required qualifications.

2. Having a career objective helps to make course and programme selection at the secondary and tertiary level easier. You are able to choose not only because of your likeness for the area or your ability to cope but because the options are in line with your career objective.

3. With a career objective, the student is more motivated to progress through a programme of study since the end result of the effort is known. Study therefore becomes not simply a matter of obtaining a degree or a diploma but obtaining a specific place in the world of work.

4. Once you have entered the world of work, a career objective also helps you to set achievable career goals. The entrant to the world of work can therefore seek an entry level position in a specific area for a deliberate purpose. A career ladder is thus built and guidelines for climbing set out.

5. It helps you to make realistic choices at the post graduate level. This is crucial since it is at this level that specific areas of training and development are undertaken.

It is strongly recommended that from very early in your career development you formulate your career objectives. This will help to ensure the achievement of personal and professional goals.

Merrit Henry is the career counsellor and students services manager at the placement and career services unit of the UWI, Mona. You may send comments to: merrit.henry@yahoo.com.