People have big ideas when it comes to their careers. From a young age, we’re asked what we want to do and who we want to be. We’re not trusted to head to the bathroom alone at school, but sure, ask us what we want to define ourselves as for the rest of our lives! We know that we have to make decisions, but the best time to make those life-changing choices is in college or university - not the first year of school. One day, we’ll have to choose a career that we stick with for life, and while most people wait until adulthood to select something that they want to do forever, you may know at college level. You are already working on all the things that will help you to do well in your career, from working on a program with Immerse Education to give your university application a leg-up, to finding internships. You know how to make sure that your career goes well, but what should you avoid?

Avoid...Being Lazy

If you’re working on your education, you’re hardly lazy about your prospects. However, if you want to advance in your career, you need to have a plan for it to happen, and you need to push yourself towards the end goal. Get your goals on paper and work out the steps that you need to follow to get you to the top. Being lazy isn't going to get you anywhere in your future career, and you know to be successful, you should have a good idea of the path you need to be on.

Avoid...Ignoring Your Health

You may not think your health has anything to do with your success in your chosen field, but it does - it really does! If you’re not paying attention to your nutrition and your exercise levels, you’re going to be sluggish and unable to keep up. You’re also more likely to take time off work. When you’re at the start of your career, this is the worst thing that could happen. Make sure that you balance your vitamins and minerals so that you can concentrate and be on top of your game.

Avoid...Stepping On Others

When you’re an intern, other people will likely be stepping on YOU to get to the top. However, that doesn't mean that you do the same to those beneath you. Instead, offer people a hand. You want to be the person who is known as driven, but you also need to be a team player. It’s lonely at the top when you cut off all your help to get there. 

Avoid...Pressure

Okay, so this isn’t going to be entirely possible; working is stressful. There are careers out there that are intense. If you decide to be a doctor, you’re going to find life stressful, and there is a good chance you’re going to cry on occasion. However, don't succumb to the pressure if you can help it. Burn it off with meditation, running, exercise and sleep. Don't turn to destructive behaviour here!

Avoid...Hiding Your Brilliance

There is a fine line between bragging and reminding people that you are good at what you do. By telling people of the things that you have accomplished, you are not bragging. Instead, you are simply letting them know that you are intelligent, that you know what you’re talking about.