This document provides advice to 18-22 year olds on choosing a career path. It advises against choosing a career just to please others or for money, and instead recommends finding a passion that makes one happy and utilizes one's talents. The document suggests asking oneself questions to discern interests and strengths. It also recommends finding a mentor in one's field of interest to learn from their experience. Determination, commitment, and discipline are key to achieving career goals. Parents and mentors can provide guidance if one communicates openly and listens well. Choosing supportive friends and controlling one's own destiny are also important factors for career success.

1. Audience: 18 to 22 years

2. I am a Holistic Professional
 I engage in all aspects of:
 Learning
 Knowledge
 Organization
 Business
 Leadership
 Human Change

3. Wrong Career Approach
 Choosing a career to please parents
 Be like your friends
 Make more money after graduation
 Like it but no passion for it
 Laziness, [claim to know what he/she is doing]
 Afraid, [don’t want to talk about it]
 Do not know how to go about it
 Run away from it
 Do not want to talk about it

4. Making a Career Choice
 Have passion for it
 Makes you happy
 Resembles you
 What are your talents?
 What skills do you have?
 Always happy when you think about it
 Makes you want to go to work everyday
 Cannot get a job, you can create one

5. Question to ask Yourself
 Do you like helping people?
 Do you like asking questions?
 Do you like to explore things?
 Do you like interacting with people?
 Do you like to lead or follow?
 Do you like to travel?
 Do you like to work long hours?
 Do you like to be in control of your time?
 Are you an introvert or extrovert?

6. Finding a Mentor
 Who do you want to be like?
 Who inspires you? Anyone in mind?
 Pick anyone in the field of your chosen
 Someone you look up to
 Make appointment for a conference
 Be prepare to ask and answer questions
 Have a note pad ready to write

7. How do you Start
 Learn about the person
 Learn what he/she did
 Learn how he/she did it
 Read what it takes to get there
 Set a goal or objective in mind
 What courses or steps do you need to do it
 What will it take you to achieve it

8. Growth Approach
 DCD
 D: Determination
 C: Commitment
 D: Discipline

9. D: Determination
 Are you determined to pursue your goal?
 Are you determined to do what it takes to get there?
 Do you have the motivation and the energy?
 Do you have the courage?
 Do you have the zeal?
 Are you hungry for success?
 Are you persistent and perseverance?

10. C: Commitment
 How committed are you?
 Are you willing to sacrifice?
 Are you willing to give up anything?
 Are you willing give up 4 to 8 years?

11. D: Discipline
 How disciplined are you?
 Are you afraid to say NO to your friends?
 Are you able to decide on what you want?
 Do you care what your friend say about you?
 Are you willing to let go your bad habits?
 Learn to say NO, I can’t.

12. Use your Parents
 Parents are there to be used
 Mentors are always willing to guide
 Family members
 Listen for advice
 Take advice

13. Communication
 Do not be afraid to talk to your parents
 Be truthful and honest with your mentor
 Be sure to discuss all issues with your mentor
 Good information produces good result
 Junk in produces junk out
 Discuss problems with your parents
 Ask how you can address certain issues

14. Listening
 Listen to your Parents
 Friends are not after your interest
 Stubbornness gets you nowhere
 Ask questions for clarity
 Ask why if you do not comprehend
 Ask for help when you are confused
 Follow instructions and directions

15. Group Association
 What kind of friends do you have?
 Do they like what you like?
 Do they distract you?
 Do they always want something from you?
 Do you always like to make them happy?
 Think about what you want NOT what they want
 Control your destiny

16. Light at the end of the Tunnel
 If you make a good bed, you have good sleep
 You reap what you sow
 Good foundation, gets you to a good start
 Sky is your limit if you do things right
 Don’t just do the right things, do things right

17. Presenter
 Dr. Sidney O. Okolo
 Ph.D., Organizational Management and Leadership
 Professor, Mentor, Consultant, Strategist, Speaker.
 http://vc-edu.org
 http://iba-pec.com
 sokolo@vc-edu.org, sokolo@iba-pec.com
 http://www.linkedin.com/in/ibaweb
 Mobile: 312/671-4721; E-fax: 425/671-1282
 Toll Free: 800/665-4016; Office: 708/832-2643

18. Presenter’s Photograph