{"id":10014,"date":"2025-02-17T11:26:14","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T22:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/?p=10014"},"modified":"2025-02-17T11:28:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T22:28:54","slug":"find-the-right-career-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/find-the-right-career-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find the Right Career for You"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Choosing the right <\/span>career in NZ<\/span> can feel like a near-impossible task, especially when there are so many career opportunities out there! However, if you\u2019re feeling directionless, you don\u2019t need to stress too much. In fact, it\u2019s completely normal, and we\u2019ve got tonnes of tried and tested tips to help you find your perfect fit.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, if you’re a high school student in New Zealand wondering, “<\/span>What career should I pursue<\/span>?” keep on reading! This guide can help you explore <\/span>job opportunities<\/span>, understand what career paths might be a great fit, and make the best decision for your future. Let\u2019s dive in!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Can\u2019t Decide What Career to Pursue<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you <\/span>can\u2019t decide what career<\/span> to pursue, you\u2019re not alone. In fact, <\/span>a lot <\/span><\/i>of high schoolers have absolutely no clue what <\/span>career opportunity<\/span> they want to chase after. While some (very lucky) people identify their dream career at a super young age, most of us need a little extra guidance; that\u2019s right, you\u2019re actually a part of the majority!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This feeling of not knowing can be a little disconcerting at first, but try to think of it as a mystery waiting to be solved! There are plenty of ways to figure out what job is right for you, and with the right mindset, it can be pretty fun too!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to Decide What Career<\/span> You Want<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Take our Free <\/span>Career Quiz<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re unsure where to start, our completely free <\/span>career quiz<\/span><\/a> can help point you in the right direction. <\/span>Career quizzes<\/span> like ours take your skills, interests, and personality into account to suggest careers and industries that might be a good fit. And while no <\/span>career quiz<\/span> can tell you exactly what to do, they\u2019re a great starting point for discovering career opportunities you might not have considered!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make a List of Your Passions and Interests<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

What do you love doing? What subjects do you enjoy at school? Do you prefer working with people or alone? <\/span>Are you more creative<\/span><\/a> or analytical? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking yourself when thinking about your future!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Listing your passions and interests can help you connect the dots between what you enjoy and potential <\/span>career opportunities<\/span> which, in turn, helps you land a role that you <\/span>actually <\/span><\/i>love. <\/span>For example, if you love writing, consider journalism, <\/span>marketing, or content creation<\/span><\/a>. If you enjoy problem-solving, engineering, IT or <\/span>STEM<\/span><\/a> could be a good fit. And if you\u2019re passionate about helping others, healthcare or social work might be the way to go!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider How Much Education and Training You\u2019re Willing to Do<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some jobs in NZ require years of study, while others offer entry-level positions straight out of high school. Think about how much time (and money) you\u2019re willing to invest in your education. If you want to start working ASAP, trades, apprenticeships, and certifications are great <\/span>careers that don\u2019t require a degree<\/span><\/a>. However, if you love learning, university degrees may open up even more <\/span>career opportunities<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Think About Your Long-Term Goals<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Do you dream of travelling? Owning a business? Working remotely? Some <\/span>careers in NZ<\/span> align better with these goals than others. For example, jobs in tech and digital marketing often allow remote work, while careers in tourism could help you travel the world. <\/span>Setting long-term goals<\/span><\/a> can help you find a <\/span>career in NZ<\/span> that best matches your lifestyle goals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speak to a Career Counsellor<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

High schools in NZ usually have a career counsellor on call who can help guide you through the decision-making process. Their insights can prove super valuable too, as they can provide insights into different <\/span>job opportunities <\/span>and help you understand <\/span>career opportunities<\/span> and pathways. They can even suggest courses or programs that align with your interests.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Consider Doing a \u2018Test Run\u2019 of Your Chosen Career<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before committing to a <\/span>career opportunity<\/span>, it\u2019s always best to try before you buy (A.K.A. land some work experience or a volunteer role in the industry. That way, you\u2019ll know whether it\u2019s truly something you want to do long-term.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Volunteering Opportunities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Volunteering is a fantastic way to get experience in different fields without long-term commitment. Want to work in healthcare? Volunteer at a hospital. Thinking about teaching? Help out at a local school. Volunteering looks great on your CV <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> helps you gain real-world experience; at Explore Careers, we call that a win-win!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Work Experience Opportunities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many high schools in NZ offer <\/span>work experience programs<\/span><\/a> where you can spend a little bit of time working in a field you\u2019re interested in and learning about different industries. Trust us, it\u2019s a great way to test the waters before making any big decisions!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also reach out to businesses and ask if they offer internships or work shadowing opportunities, or check out what\u2019s available on our jobs board; don\u2019t just wait for <\/span>career opportunities<\/span> to come to you!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Importance of Self-Reflection<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Understanding yourself is key to <\/span>choosing the right career<\/span>. Take the time to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and what truly makes you happy. That way, you can <\/span>choose a career<\/span> that ticks <\/span>all <\/span><\/i>of your boxes!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Questions to Ask Yourself<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. What subjects do I enjoy the most at school?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Do I prefer working with people, technology, or ideas?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Am I more interested in a stable job or an adventurous career?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. How important is salary to me?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Do I want to work for a company or start my own business?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    FAQ: How To Land Your Dream <\/span>Career in NZ<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Question: <\/span>How Do I Decide What Career I Want?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Answer: To identify your ideal <\/span>career opportunity<\/span>, start by exploring your interests, taking our <\/span>career quiz<\/span><\/a>, and trying out different <\/span>job opportunities<\/span> through volunteering or work experience. The more you explore, the clearer your path will become.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Question: What Are the Best Tools to Help Me Decide What Career I Want<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Answer: Some great resources to get you started include <\/span>online <\/span>career quizze<\/span>s<\/span><\/a>, career counselling services at school, LinkedIn (time to start networking), and websites like Explore Careers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Question: What If I Choose the Wrong Career?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Answer: If you think you\u2019ve chosen the wrong career, don\u2019t stress! It\u2019s completely normal to change careers if you\u2019re not feeling it. If you start down one path and realise it\u2019s not for you, you can always pivot. The most important thing is gaining skills and experience that can transfer to other <\/span>job opportunities<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Question: Do I Need to Go to University for a Good <\/span>Career in NZ?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    A degree isn\u2019t always necessary to land a great job! While some professions do require a degree (like law or medicine), there are plenty of <\/span>career opportunities<\/span> in trades, IT, and business that don\u2019t require university. Apprenticeships, certifications, and on-the-job training can lead to great jobs, too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t Worry, You\u2019ve Got This!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Choosing the right career can feel overwhelming, but remember; you don\u2019t have to have it all figured out right away! Keep an open mind, try new things, and don\u2019t be afraid to change direction if needed. With so many <\/span>career opportunities<\/span> in NZ, there\u2019s something out there that\u2019s perfect for you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    And if you ever need a little bit of extra guidance, head to our <\/span>career advice page<\/span><\/a> to learn more (or check out our <\/span>social media<\/span><\/a> and flick us a message for personalised advice)!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span> Choosing the right career in NZ can feel like a near-impossible task, especially when there are so many career opportunities […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":10020,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[24],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10014"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10014"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10021,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10014\/revisions\/10021"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}