Clear Your Confusion With Career Brainstorming

If you have recently given your boards, we are sure people are asking you “what next?” all the time. We know you are tired of that question and want to figure it out too. Hear us out though—imagine a brainstorming session, but instead of coming up with ideas for a new product or marketing campaign, you’re brainstorming ideas for your career! Sounds good? It’s like a tornado of thoughts swirling around in your head, except instead of cows and tractors flying around, it’s ideas for what you want to be when you grow up. And instead of a weatherman warning you to take cover, a career counsellor encourages you to let your imagination run wild and explore all your options. So, grab your thinking cap, and get ready to brainstorm your way to career success! 

What Is Career Brainstorming? Why Do I Need It?

Firstly, let’s get the terms right! So, career guidance is like having a GPS navigator to help guide you to your destination, while career brainstorming is like using a treasure map to discover new and exciting paths to explore. Both can be helpful in finding the right career path, but career guidance is more structured and guided, while career brainstorming is more creative and self-directed. So, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to explore new career paths, try career brainstorming, but if you need more guidance and support, career guidance may be a better fit for you.

But a career brainstorm doesn’t have to be all serious and stuffy! You can make it creative and fun by exploring unique and unconventional career paths that you may not have considered before. For example, have you ever thought about being a professional cheese taster or a waterslide tester? Okay, on second thought, maybe those aren’t the most practical options, but you get the idea! Career brainstorming is a chance to let your imagination run wild, and discover new and exciting possibilities for your future. Who knows, you might just find your dream job! Let’s look at what career confusion can look like and how career brainstorms can help!

Career confusion can look like a game of musical chairs where each chair represents a potential career path and the player is running around trying to find the right chair to sit on. But just when they think they’ve found the right one, the music stops and they realise it’s not the right fit. So they keep moving from chair to chair, trying to find their true calling, while the other players seem to have already found their seats and are settled in comfortably. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and a sense of being stuck or trapped in a situation that is not fulfilling. We are sure you don’t want that. Here’s what career brainstorming does for you!

• Encourages self-reflection: Career brainstorming requires you to reflect on your skills, interests, and values, which can help you gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
• Expands your perspective: Brainstorming allows you to explore different career paths and gain a broader perspective on what is possible. This helps you see the bigger picture and identify options that you may have yet to consider.
• Provides a structured approach: Yes, career brainstorming provides a structured approach to exploring different options, which can help you break down complex decisions into manageable steps. 
• Boosts creativity: Careers are all about filling the gaps in society, right? Whatever area seems interesting to you, you can come up with creative solutions to solve the problem! Brainstorming encourages creative thinking, which can help you come up with innovative solutions to your career confusion.
• Builds confidence: By identifying potential career paths, you can gain a sense of direction and purpose, which can help build your confidence in your professional life. Since this will be something that you choose for yourself, it will help you feel in control.

“This? That? I am So Confused” Here’s How To Go About It!

Now that you know how it is beneficial for you. Here’s how you can go about it!

1. Reflect on your skills, interests, and values: This seems like an obvious first step but it is important. Start by reflecting on what you enjoy doing, what you are good at, and what is important to you in your professional and personal life. This will help you identify potential career paths that align with your strengths and values. Ask yourself questions here!
2. Research different career options and make a list: Use online resources, books, and informational interviews to research different career paths that interest you. Take note of the required education, experience, and skills for each option. Come on, you have the internet at your disposal! 
3. Evaluate each option: Now that you have created a list of potential careers that match your skills, interests, and values, evaluate each option by asking yourself questions like Does this career path align with my long-term goals? Is this a realistic option given my current skills and experience? What are the potential challenges and benefits of pursuing this career?
4. Use creative thinking techniques and shortlist: Use creative thinking techniques such as mind mapping, brainstorming, and visualisation to generate new ideas and think outside the box. Based on your evaluations and creative thinking exercises, narrow down your list to a few top career options.
5. Take action: Once you have identified your top career options, create an action plan to gain the required skills and experience, build your network, and land a job in your desired field. Sources for learning opportunities and networking include:

• Online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning
• Industry conferences and workshops
• Professional organisations in your desired field
• Online forums and discussion groups related to your desired career path
• LinkedIn and other social media platforms

Overall, career brainstorming is an iterative process that requires continuous self-reflection and exploration. By following these steps, you can identify potential career paths and take an actual step towards your dream career.

Let’s Do A Career Brainstorm Together!

Remember, building a successful career takes time and effort. Don’t think you want to do this process alone? Not sure if career guidance is right for you? Well, we are here for you! Want to get a quick understanding of your future options before you invest in the full career guidance solution? Book a 60-minute discussion with Mentoria’s career counselling experts to brainstorm the next steps for your career/life, discuss your challenges, explore possible pathways and understand how to plan your career journey.