It is strange to note that students are put through a lot of hardship during their academics without making them realise what exactly they would want when they finished their academics. Months of rigorous tuitions, missed meals, dark under-eyed circles, and sleepless nights, all without the realization of the final result in terms of an ideal career.

How does one decide on what is the right career for him/her?
That's a difficult question, but not impossible to answer. Often youngsters are influenced by their family members, teachers, peers and the current trend. Family members might want their children to follow a career option that they are in or might want their children to do something that they wanted to be. This will not provide the youngster with an ideal career option. Family members have the advantage of knowing their children better than others; they should make a genuine effort over a period of time in trying to detect the natural talent of their children by testing them, as in engaging their children in various different activities. They should not inform the child that a particular activity is aimed at detecting what he is capable of; if not he is likely to perform under the influence of that information then, which may not yield ideal results. The exercise should be of a continuous nature spread over various areas and a journal should be made to observe the child's involvement, approach and interest in the activity assigned. A disciplined analysis of this kind over a period of time gives a better understanding of what your child is capable of doing and therefore encouraging him/her in that area.

Teachers, are vital influencers; they need to adopt a 3600 approach to introduce their students to varied career development options in multiple fields. This can be done by inviting at least one professional from a different field every week to come and spend time with the students for one whole day, explaining their typical job nature and time at work. During Christmas and summer vacations students should be helped to work as interns with people in different professions. Student Counsellors should be assigned to handle a set of students over a period of time to get a better understanding of what the student is capable of and guiding the student accordingly

Peers can turn out be a positive or a negative influence. In this case, it's always better to take a more informed decision, because here birds of a feather do not flock together.

The same holds good for a particular career trend at a particular time which should again be considered only after careful thought.

The other alternative is fairly simple and complex. Yourself. You can keep a journal and answer these questions time and again over a period of time to help you in detecting your niche.
What is your tool of energy shift?
Answer this question when you experience an increase in your energy level when close to or thinking of an area of your interest.

What is your tool of recognition?
Answer this question by mentioning things that catch your attention.

What is your tool of Envy?
This is self explanatory.

What is you tool of appeal?
Answer this question when you experience an attractive pull by certain people, situations or things indicating something appealing about them.

What is your tool of physical response?
Record physical sensations - lightness, pleasantness, disgust, fatigue, boredom,
depression, irritation.

What is your tool of mental response?
Record your feelings of hope, optimism, stimulating positive and negative mental responses.

Answering these questions consistently will help you know what you were meant to be or at least get close to knowing that.