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THE CAREER COMPASS
Building Career-Ready Professionals

Career Exploration Guide

Curated by Manoj Kumar — Founder & Mentor, The Career Compass.

Purpose & Overview

Move Beyond 'What Can I Become?' to 'What Work Could I Actually Do?'. Purpose: Explore careers through roles, work, skills and industry.

Key Checkpoints & Action Plan
22 Items
Start With Questions
What subjects or activities attract my attention?

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What problems do I enjoy solving?

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Do I prefer people, information, technology, ideas, processes or physical products?

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Do I prefer structured work or changing situations?

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What kind of impact would I like my work to have?

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Explore Each Career
What does a person in this career actually do?

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What entry-level roles exist?

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What qualifications are commonly required?

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What technical and professional skills matter?

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What industries employ people in this career?

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What are possible career paths?

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Experience the Career
I have attended an industry talk, webinar or workshop.

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I have spoken to a professional where possible.

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I have looked for an internship, project, volunteering or job-shadowing opportunity where

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Test My Assumptions
I am not choosing it only because it is popular.

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I am not rejecting it because of one person\'s experience.

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I have checked what the work is actually like.

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I understand both opportunities and challenges.

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Shortlist
I have shortlisted 2–4 directions.

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I can explain why each interests me.

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I know the next action for each option.

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I know which option I want to explore first.

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My Next 3 Priority Actions
Personal Reflection
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Career Compass Reminder
“A compass provides direction. It does not walk the journey for you.”
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The Career Compass • Real-World Career & Industry Readiness

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