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Take a look around. Does it look like the path from the classroom to the workplace is well marked or easily navigable? While you are left thinking that this is tough, you are faced with making the choice of a career! And while you need to choose a career, you also need to make that transition from being a student to being a professional. You need to learn that people rely on you to get things done successfully and with integrity.

All this is not easy... nothing worthwhile in life ever is! But it is exhilarating! Brimming with enthusiasm and poised at the brink of life, it can be great fun!!

BUILDING WORK EXPERIENCE. Take up a job during summer. It doesn`t matter how small the job is. Just get a taste of handling a job, earning money and feeling independent. It will look good in your resume. Work as interns or apprentices. You can see both the glamorous and routine parts - the ups and downs of the job.

DEVELOPING A VARIETY OF SKILLS. Many jobs today, require a variety of skills, besides a graduate or postgraduate degree. It would be an asset if you took short courses, attended seminars and workshops to learn skills that might interest you.

WHAT ADULTS CAN DO. Talk to your parents about their jobs. Encourage everyone in the family to do the same. You will get a lot of insights by doing this.

Learn that you can`t take a day off from work / school just because you feel like it! Working hard isn`t a pain but something to take pride in. So, it is good to work beyond official work hours.

Parents should do their part by remembering to praise them when they`ve slogged hard over a project and explore, with teenagers, their personal talents, strengths, likes and dislikes. Ask them if they like being around people; find out if they are organised.

EXPLORING OPTIONS. Experience as many different jobs as possible. Take advantage of both formal and informal work exposure programmes. Watch someone do their job for a couple of days. Find a mentor who can guide you. Visit a variety of training institutes. Try and understand the way people do business around the globe and interact within an organisation. Ask your dad or mom questions about this.