How and when to select a profession

Heru Prasetyo, Managing Director, Accenture Indonesia

Educational background often has nothing to do with one's career. A medical doctor was recently given an award for his achievement in developing a modern approach to public administration. An agricultural engineering graduate also achieved great success in developing and managing one of the best information technology higher education courses in Indonesia.

In another example, an economics graduate became one of the most prominent music arrangers in the country.

The association of professional engineers has a hard time recording the names of its members that are actually working in the "pure" engineering field. Does this mean that education has nothing to do with one's career?

I recently came across a book with the provocative title, "Do what you love, the money will follow." I have an instant urge to add the word "smartly" behind "love", because while the main message seems to be correct, being smart is essential. A career, to me -- and I have walked this path for the last 28 years, is what you believe you want to do next with happiness. This is, of course, a simple statement with a complex meaning.

To believe something you need to understand what it is to believe in it. Lack of this understanding is normally the case when you have just started your working life. Your knowledge about the company and the work you are applying for, may be very limited. I see people preparing many application letters without knowing what they are applying for.

The argument normally given is, "The most important thing is getting a job, the industry or the company are secondary." Actually, what you need to consider is that you are confident of your ability as a result of what you have learned before.

Once you have the confidence, then you need to do your pre- work research. If your educational institution has a career counselling organization, it could help you in terms of profiling your strengths. If not, you can do the profiling on your own or with help from career counseling professionals.

Next, you may need to conduct a search of the market through different means -- attending career days, Internet searches, using your past graduate network of friends, or looking at newspapers.

The next homework is to understand the screening processes used by the targeted employers. The process could include the following: If tests are used, what do they measure? If interviews, what type and what is being evaluated? If a full- blown assessment, how does it work and what preparations are needed?

This is knowledge about techniques, not content. Because content is what you have, and faking it is like a lamb donning a wolf's skin to mingle with wolves -- you will soon live to regret it.

Now, assuming you have an idea of where you want to head (even if it is still in several directions) and you are prepared for the various techniques, the key will now shift to using your assets -- confidence, drive, determination and capability or "CDDC" for short. You will need to brush up your "CDDC " prior to any interaction with a potential employer.

All these considerations need to be reflected early in the interface with the company, in fact as soon as you write your application letter.

A lot will need to be done to prepare for your career -- the first job is the key -- choosing it and working diligently to get in is just a beginning. Always remain aware that your career is your life.