Everyone’s goal in life is to live a comfortable, happy and fulfilled life; an enriching social life, loving family and successful career all rolled into one is what we’re striving for. Often the easiest part of this is our family and friends as they are with us no matter what, the tricky part can be getting into the industry you want to work in forever. From a young age we are told what we should and shouldn’t be doing when we grow up and some of aren’t encouraged to make our own decisions. You don’t need to follow the crowd to be successful; there are many ways in which you can tap into the career path you want without undertaking the so-called ‘traditional’ types of education out there. Perhaps you have children and need to spend more time at home or you simply don’t have the money to move away to a further education college. Many people do consider studying after graduating and that is the path that works for them. There are other methods of educating yourself without moving away or sticking to the conventional routes which are thrust upon us. Find the avenue which works for you and you will be successful. The most important thing is that you are living happily and without undue stress. Fight for your goals and reach them in a way that works for you personally and you won’t go wrong.

A Vibrant Volunteer

Getting experience in the industry you want to work in is one of the best methods you could choose. Hands-on and real life work will provide you with the knowledge you need to be successful in the career you are choosing to pursue. Look out for local opportunities and dedicate a small portion of your time to working for or helping out a company which is related to the industry of your interest. For example, if you see yourself as a nurse one day you could volunteer to help out at a local soup kitchen a doctor’s surgery reception. Show that you are willing to care for people and tend to their needs; you will have an abundance of glowing references for your CV. Everybody has to start from the bottom too, so don’t feel too proud to do the more tedious tasks out there. This will help you to remain grounded and will allow you to develop a thick skin.

You are going to need experience at some point so you might as well use this to your full advantage and take every ounce of opportunity that comes your way. Seek out those relevant job openings and even if you have to work for very little money in the beginning, there will always be chances for you to impress and then progress. Volunteering can take as little as a few hours a day, so you can keep up with your current job or education at the same time too. Now isn’t the time to be lazy and assume things will happen for you, you need to go out there and pursue them with enthusiasm and passion.

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A Knowing Networker

Get involved with local experts and professionals that can advise you on getting to where you want to be. Networking events and social media links can be an excellent building block for your career. Get to know the people that you aspire to be like one day and question them on their journey. Not only will you find out some interesting stories about people, but you will also pick up some worthwhile tips on how to progress yourself further. Don’t be shy or afraid to speak up in these events. Everybody was once in your shoes and more often than not people with experience are very willing to help.

A Studious Scholar

Perhaps you didn’t enjoy moving away to university, or you didn’t make the most out of your time there in the past. For many people, education can go on for years and year until they feel they have acquired what they need. There is no shame in starting to learn at a later stage in life or to completely switch your career path altogether. There are so many way in which you can enrich your education without sacrificing other aspects of your life. Online learning is breaking through and becoming a trustworthy and renowned method of furthering your education. Studying an online course or degree has huge advantages, from flexible hours to self-paced working methods. Potential medics out there should seriously consider an online nursing course to enhance your knowledge and gain the qualifications you need. Online courses provide you with the training and credentials you need to be successful in your chosen industry, so make sure you look into it. Be aware that online learning required a lot of motivation as much of the work stems from you driving yourself to get it done. Don’t begin an online course if you’re feeling half-hearted about it as you might find that you are wasting your time with it. Choose something you’re passionate about and you are guaranteed to succeed with this method of learning.

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An Experienced Explorer

Travelling the world can be one of life’s most important and empowering lessons; providing you with the cultural knowledge and experiences we all need to be decent, well rounded human beings. If you’ve got wanderlust then take a year out to explore the places you have always wanted to go. Yes, it will take a substantial amount of money to get you going, but you might just find opportunities whilst you’re out there. Breaking the mould and moving where your heart tells you is one of the bravest things a person can do and this is often the recipe for success. Thinking outside the box and taking a different approach might just land you in place you want to live and work forever.

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A Bold Businessperson

Everyone dreams of working for themselves and being their own boss, so why can’t you do the same? Sometimes you just need to take the plunge and make your dreams into a reality. Starting your own business can be a daunting prospect and you may need to complete each of the stages above before you even reach this point in your life. You must make sure you have gained the relevant experience you need to get your business off the ground. If you have the knowledge and passion behind you, you will be able to make it happen. Entrepreneurs are often the brightest, most fearless people in society and if you have that spark in you, you should absolutely run with it. Make sure you have a solid idea and plan to get you going and spend a little bit of time saving some money to get you up and running. Be aware that over fifty percent of new businesses can fail within their first year, so don’t be a part of that statistic. Keep yourself motivated and work hard to keep your company above the ground. With hard work and dedication there isn’t anything you can’t achieve.

After reading the potential ways to enrich your education and broaden your wealth of knowledge you may now feel empowered to take some of these steps. There might be one or two of these things that stand out to you and speak to your heart, so follow your gut feeling and make these things happen. You can pursue the career of your dreams using any method that works for you, so make it happen now!