The start of any career begins with a job search. In this age of diversity, there are many choices for job seekers to select from. There are various employment types, such as part time, internships, and full-time, while career fields range from administrative to professional roles such as engineering, medicine and law. With so many options, where should one begin their career path?
Firstly, start considering possible career paths early (whether you are going into the workforce or planning to make a career switch). Do all your research on the career path you are interested in to ensure you have a clear picture of its expectations and demands.
Next, apply for a part time job in the field that you are passionate about. Finding a part time job requires some time and patience. Not only will you have to send out emails and CVs to potential employers, but you will have to prepare to attend interviews.
Once you’ve gotten the job, you might ask, how it would help you build your portfolio or explore career paths?


1. Acquiring new skills and gaining experiences
Treat every part time job as a learning experience. Even if you landed yourself a part time job that was not what you wanted or expected, just enjoy the time that you spend at work. Apply what you have learnt and gain new experiences: You will be surprised to discover new things about yourself!
A part time job is not just about earning an income, but also about learning. Even part time jobs as waiters or waitresses at cafes and restaurants have their own challenges, despite their not being desk-bound. Meeting new people and learning to deal with people’s needs is a great challenge, and if you are able to overcome it, you will be able to deal with future bosses and employees under your charge.
Dare yourself to step out of your comfort zone and be more proactive in seeking new tasks at work. Do not be content with just completing assigned work. Ask to explore other types of work like taking photos at an office event or getting involved in some welfare organizing committee, which will help you to explore a slightly different job scope.


2. Networking opportunities
Staff who have been in this industry for a long time will definitely have many encounters and experiences to share. Getting to know them and asking them about their particular field will help you gain a better insight into if this is what you hope to achieve in the future. If they have worked in the particular field for long, they will also be able to provide you advice on how to cope with possible problems that may arise.
It is good to network with people in the industry that you are keen on working in. Other than giving you advice, they might even be able to provide you with future job opportunities, either directly or through their connections. You never know when these connections might come in handy!


3. Getting a good testimonial
Towards the end of your part time job, remember to ask your boss or someone of high authority to write you a testimonial. It doesn't need to be very long. Your testimonial should include your performance at work, what you have achieved and your attitude at work. Having a good testimonial from someone of a higher position in the company will add credibility to your resume. It will inform future employers about who you are as a worker and how well you could perform future tasks. Even if the part time job is not in an industry related to your future full-time job, your future employers may take your testimonial into consideration.
Sometimes it is difficult to find a part time job that is related to an industry you intend to work in, especially if it is a specialized industry, like psychology or medicine. However, showing that you have the personal attributes necessary for the demands of the job is helpful.


4. Evaluation of your interests and consideration of possible career paths
It is always important to make occasional reflections on the job. You should evaluate how you feel about the job: whether you like it or not. What aspects did you enjoy or not enjoy? Can see yourself working in the job for the next few years? A job doesn’t feel like a job if you have a passion for and interest in it, but it becomes a chore if you don’t enjoy it. Hence, if you are satisfied with this part time job, consider extending your job stint or find another company with similar job scopes. This would allow you to experience different work cultures in the same industry and determine if this is really what you wish to pursue in the future.
If the part time job has made you realized that this industry is not suitable for you, it is at no loss to you at all. Simply go back to researching your other interests and the possible career paths you can take, and repeat the process of job hunting again. Sometimes, we may not find the ideal job, but when you have experienced many different types of jobs, you will eventually find your passion in a certain industry.
Conclusion
Consider including your part time job in your resume, particularly if it is relevant to the industries and roles you are aiming for in your job hung. Part time jobs show future employers your work experience and acquired skills. As they say, you only live once, so make the best use of it and find a job in an area you are passionate in!