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What Are the Different Types of Career Objectives for Students?

D. Coodin
D. Coodin

Career objectives for students are professional goals that a student decides on before or during an educational program of study. These types of objectives are particularly important in career-oriented or vocational training, where the types of courses selected can have a direct impact on future career opportunities. There are different types of career objectives for students, including choosing an industry, finding room for growth, compensation and personal goals. No matter what career objectives a student sets his sights on, they will help define his future success.

When setting career objectives for students, it is important to decide on the type of work or industry that a student finds interesting. A student should consult with a guidance counselor or career planner if this objective is unclear, and take a course of study that will help achieve that goal. If a student decides to work in the automotive industry, for example, he should find out what kind of educational training is necessary for an entry level job in that industry. Students should keep in mind that their career objectives should be geared toward an industry or type of work that they will find fulfilling.

Students should consider what credentials are required for job advancement in their chosen field.
Students should consider what credentials are required for job advancement in their chosen field.

Another aspect of career objectives for students is room for growth in a given job. Students should consider whether they will be content to stay at the same job for a long time, or if they want to set growth or mobility as a specific goal. If mobility is important, students should consider whether a specific job or industry allows for professional growth and promotion. An industry dominated by small businesses, for instance, might not have room for an eventual promotion into management. If a student does plan on being upwardly mobile, he should research what educational credentials he will need to fulfill those objectives.

While it might be considered taboo, career objectives for students should take into account potential salary or compensation. A student might have specific salary goals related to a desired future lifestyle. To that end, the student should investigate what level of salary he can expect to earn across a variety of industries and jobs. The student should set a level of compensation he would like to reach and decide on an industry or job that can make that level achievable.

There are also personal goals to be considered in career objectives for students. Students should consider factors such as time to spend with family. While the legal profession can offer a high salary, for example, lawyers must often work long hours away from home. Other career objectives for students include travel, how challenging a job is and whether a student wants to work in a social environment.

Discussion Comments

Talentryto

@rundocuri- Another career objective is to consider where you want to be in 10 or 20 years in your chosen field. Though some careers may be plentiful today, many fields are changing and fewer people are being hired. Therefore, upward mobility in such careers may be limited. It is important to find out if your career of choice is one that may not be readily available in a few years before you go into that field.

Rundocuri

This article provides good direction for students who are thinking about possible future careers. Another good tip when students are thinking about career objectives is for them to consider where they plan to live when they complete college or career training.

The reasons that this is important is because some students want to move to certain areas while others want to stay close to home. Not all careers are available in all locations, so it is only realistic to make location a career objective. For example, if someone wants to be a tour guide but is planning to live in an area where there is little tourism, this would not be a good career choice.

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    • Students should consider what credentials are required for job advancement in their chosen field.
      By: micro10x
      Students should consider what credentials are required for job advancement in their chosen field.