You have come to a point where you are told that you have to make a decision.​

“Your life is your responsibility", says career expert Dr Ken Keis.

• What to do?
• How do you handle the pressure to narrow down university choices when you have no idea where to start?
• How do you create a future you know nothing about?

I understand that it can be scary to choose one experience when there are so many opportunities out there. Do not worry.
 
Choosing one university/college program is a big decision and it is normal to think that you do not have a clue. Most young people don’t. While some of your friends may seem to have their whole life plotted, there are many who do not have a plan and will go where opportunities push them.

In a recent study students “strongly agreed that one of the reasons for choosing the school is its well- known high-quality standards, well-qualified instructors/professors and the school’s ability to become home of board passers” (Elaine Rico-Briones, 2019).

What are your thoughts on these reasons?

Do NOT spend too much time worried about it. Take a deep breath and look around you.

Do NOT shy away from new experiences.
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Career experts agree that it’s important to engage in intentional exploratory actions to better understand future possibilities.  
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For example, a neighbor asks you to help with painting the fence, a friend suggests you join them in volunteering for an event and so on…if the task is half appealing to you then give it a try. Getting involved in community services is another great idea. Can you share other ideas that you have tried or would recommend?

Granted, the task itself might not turn out to be an interest or a skill you detest. REMEMBER. Engaging in new activities gives your clarity on the activities you do enjoy. Here's an example:
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“I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but then I went on that job shadow and was like ‘uh-oh.’ See, I don’t want to sit in a cubicle all day” (Petrillo).

However, it is not necessarily just what you are doing that will help you get to know what you like to do or to study. It is also the conversations you have or the people you meet. The neighbor might be the mentor with whom you could share your interests and the event organizer might be the role model for your future career.

Scary but true. If you are short on time, you may have to make a decision that you are not certain is the right one. If you left your decision to the last minute, do NOT expect to find your number one choice within a week. Give yourself a bit more time and choose what you think is best in that moment.
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Decisions like choosing a university program are complex and happen over time. If under pressure, never regret whatever decision you make today. Always look back at it as an exploratory experience and reflect on the lessons learned.

While it is ideal that you start reflecting and exploring experiences when you are in grade ten, if you are currently is grade 12, pondering what is next for you, you can still take time to reflect.

What is important is that you schedule time to reflect on the various activities you have explored.

You can make the time to reflect. You can, for example, reflect while doing everyday activities such as, when brushing your teeth. Ask yourself:
 

• What happened that day or is going to happen in the near future that you are excited about?
• Why a particular event was interesting, important or delightful?

The common thread is, important choices in life such as choosing a university, whom to marry and your next career step take some reflection time for them to be successful. PLEASE don’t wait till the last minute.

Do NOT overwhelm yourself with too many program/university choices if you are short on time.

Deep down inside, you know you hated your time during — add course name here — class. Be honest with yourself and stay away from programs that require too many courses of — add course name here — in that particular subject.
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Guess what may happen after you complete your research, you may find yourself going back to — add course name here — and questioning why you eliminated it. This is just fine because at that point you will have less choices to worry about.

​In short, the famous adage, “don’t worry, be happy” applies here. Look at any choice you make today as a new opportunity to get to know you. It is only when you build self-awareness through reflection and exploration that you will start to make better decisions.

Take a deep breath, explore, experiment and most importantly reflect!

You will soon find yourself creating your right fit future.

I am Hoda Kilani, Career and Academic Coach. I work with students, parents, teachers and community partners guiding you with the latest strategies to innovatively craft your career journey your way.

Summer is here and it is time to relax and have fun! Right?!!​

Reality is...NO.

Although school/university is out, you wanted to look for a summer job to make extra money, build new skills, explore new opportunities...Unfortunately, that didn't happen or even if it did, you still feel that something is missing.
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You feel that summer is almost over. You want to engage in a productive activity and do something beyond fun and relaxation.

I want to tell you a secret. Summer is not over yet. Summer IS the time to rejuvenate and focus on the moment. Yet as much fun as this sounds, summer can be the time to start reflecting on your career choices.

No, no...I am not saying that it is time to figure out what you want to do when you grow up.

It is just time to get to know YOU.

​You have your interests, skills and talents and summertime is the perfect time to figure out your unique and personal values. 

Not only will reflecting on who you are help you find a role that you will enjoy - summer job or otherwise - it will also ensure your career success. It is the first step to unraveling what the right job look for YOU. There are other steps that you can learn about in my other blog posts, but you really have to take this first step. Here is how to get started.
Take the time to regularly check in on your daily routine

• How often and when do you take breaks? If you realize that you don't take breaks, then it's time to schedule them.
• How much screen time do you spend per day? Our phones now have the ability to give us that number. Reflect on that number...
• What are you spending your on-screen time doing? Again, phones can be amazingly specific in answering this question. Whatever you are watching or reading, will help you unravel your interests.
• Are you spending time on what is important to you? If not, what is preventing you? Is there a way to change that?

Next, I will share two models I use in my private practice to help you answer the above mentioned questions and initiate your summer reflections. Try one or both and let me know what you think.

Once you have done some reflection, it is time to Discover your BEAVI © (beliefs, experiences, abilities/skills, values, interests).
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Reflect on the meaning of each of the BEAVI © terms

• Beliefs
• Experiences
• Abilities
• Values
• Interests

How would you define each term?

Next, think of the different activities within your daily routine. How would you detail these activities? What do they say about you? In which category would they fall?

Your definition of each term is what matters. Regardless of what everyone else thinks, it is YOUR definition that matters. The placement of each activity in the BEAVI © is also dependent on how you see it. 

​Go ahead reflect and report!

I recently added this model to my practice and have received positive feedback. I completed a certification - taught by Ed Hidalgo and Dr Steve Regur - that utilizes Holland's Occupational Codes to support youth to self-report on RIASEC codes. 
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Here is a simplified version of it. You start with building your understanding of the six RIASEC codes.

• Realistic
• Investigative
• Artistic
• Social
• Enterprising
• Conventional

Spend some time researching and understanding these six codes or feel free to reach out for more details.
Once you feel that you have understood the meaning of each of the codes, it is time to start reflecting on which ones you clearly associate with. What are you top three codes and why?

It is important to note that your choices are not written in stone. You should regularly revisit your choices. 

Similar to the earlier model reflection, think of the different activities within your daily routine. How would you detail these activities? What do they say about you? Under which code would they fall?

The reflection process in both models needs to be regular and is best complimented with the supervision of a knowledgeable career person. This is because there is a dialogic step that is crucial to moving your reflection forward.
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Having face-to-face opportunities, being probed on your responses and encouraged to explore by a caring careering adult will advance your reflection on what you know about yourself and your career choices in a healthy manner.

Whether you choose to work with BEAVI © or Holland's RIASEC codes, ensure that you have defined and understood the language. 

Next, bring in your daily routine reflection results and see where they match with each term. 

Let’s say, you enjoy spending time cooking your dinner. Cooking will be one activity in your daily routine. Would you put it as an interest or as an ability? It is up to you. What matters is that it is recognized on the Discover your BEAVI © chart as an agreeable part of your daily routine.

Similarly with the RIASEC codes. Utilizing the cooking example, reflect on what you enjoy about the cooking process and how does it fit within the six RIASEC codes.
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Continue your reflection and list the activities you enjoy. Whether it is waking up early or sleeping in, reading or writing, creating or copying...add it all to the list under the appropriate term or code.

​Remember. The purpose of reflecting on your daily routine and discovering your BEAVI © or unraveling your RIASEC codes is to help you to get to know YOU.
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Take the time to get to know YOU this summer!

​Once you know who you are, it will be much easier to distinguish the type of job you are looking for and finding your fulfilling and rewarding right fit employment becomes effortless.

I am Hoda Kilani, Career and Academic Coach. I work with students, parents, teachers and community partners sharing the latest strategies to innovatively craft your career journey your way.

There is consensus about the unbelievably powerful influence of having people in your life who cheer you on. Without their support, you may be too scared to accomplish your dreams.

Ralph Waldo Emerson describes it as, “Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can”. Emerson was a successful person so you have to assume he knew what he was talking about. But he passed away a long time ago, in 1882 to be exact, and you can say that things have changed.
 
Denzel Washington who is very much alive and according to Wikipedia has been regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, is more specific, “Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life”. His quote brings in a new perspective changing the value of a cheerleader for success from a want to a necessity.

So why are cheerleaders, who can also be known as personal board members, mentors or coaches, so important?

• Cheerleaders bring a new perspective that you may not consider on your own.
• They have been through and can share experiences that you may be considering.
• Cheerleaders brainstorm with you as you select your life or career path.
• They support you if you are struggling to create or reach your goals.
• Cheerleaders help you overcome possible setbacks.
• They celebrate your accomplishments and achievements. 

So how do you go about finding your cheerleader?

​There are a few ways to find people who are willing to support you. In the words of a young 14-year-old, “there are many people who want to help you, all you have to do is ask”. Her experience has always been positive about looking around her and selecting people who can help her best. However, it is important to select those people depending on your personal needs. For example, she knows to reach out to her mom when needing assistance in creative writing. When reflecting on careers, she does not hesitate to reach out to professionals or role models via email. While some flat out ignore her emails and others respond that they are too busy, a generous number are willing to meet with her and answer her questions.

Here are a few ways that you can establish a system of supportive others to build your career path:

• Your parents can be your best mentors.
• Some teachers look forward to supporting students’ ideas – all you have to do is ask.
• Professionals whose career may be of interest to you.
• Non-profit organizations or local libraries that offer free mentoring.
• Career people (career counselors, career coaches, academic advisors...)

​There is an unbelievable power to having cheerleaders. With their support, you will be able to achieve your dreams. On your way to fulfilling your dreams, having one or more people as your board of cheerleaders makes your journey easier as you realize goals, overcome setbacks and celebrate accomplishments.
 
Do you already have a person who is there for you when you need help? If not, can you think of other ways to find your cheerleader? Please share your experience.
 
Now is the time to select the ideal members for your board. What are you waiting for?

​I am Hoda Kilani, your Career and Academic Coach. I provide you with the latest strategies to innovatively craft your career journey your way.