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Development

Do you have a plan or are you taking it as it comes?

To kvindelige studerende smiler til hinanden på deres studiested
It is, of course, impossible to predict what life will look like. But there are different approaches to the future that can influence how your next semester will look. Or perhaps your first job? Are you the spontaneous type who is open to randomness, or do you prefer a clear structure for your studies and career? Both can work.

Table of contents

  • The structured journey
  • The spontaneous journey
  • Advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to student life and career
  • Find the right balance

The structured journey

For some people, it is important to have a clear plan. They may already know from the start of their studies that they want to be a project manager, start their own business, or achieve a specific career goal within a certain timeframe. This approach provides direction and a sense of control. Having clear objectives can be an advantage, as it will help you prioritise choices and focus areas in your life.

It is perfectly fine to have clear goals and something you want to achieve after your studies. However, you should be careful not to become completely fixated on one particular direction – especially because your time at university is a period where you learn more about yourself and your desires. Many would probably say that the “plan” they had as students ended up being something different when they entered the job market.
Emilie Lindquist, career advisor at IDA

It is therefore important that you remain curious along the way, because if you are too “closed” to something specific, you might miss out on the exciting and unforeseen that can come your way.

Become aware of your strengths and make the most of them

The spontaneous journey

On the other hand, there are those who prefer to take things as they come. They may see their studies as an opportunity to explore interests and try different things. If you have this approach to your studies and career, it is less important to have a fixed plan and more important to be open to the opportunities that arise along the way.

The spontaneous approach can lead to unexpected paths that you never considered. Perhaps you meet an inspiring lecturer who opens the door to a new field of study, or maybe a hobby leads to a completely different career path than you had imagined. And according to the career advisor, most people do not have a definite career plan. It is simply difficult to predict what will happen and how you will change in the future.

Most people do not have a fixed direction that they stick to. They try different things and then find out what suits them. So no one should stress over a career plan. It can be difficult to plan something when you are still getting to know yourself.
Emilie Lindquist, career advisor at IDA
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Advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to student life and career

Why it is a good idea to cooperate with a company

Find the right balance

A balanced approach, where you combine an overall direction with room for flexibility, can often be the most sustainable solution.

What you like today may not be what you like tomorrow. Perhaps you thought you wanted to be a hardcore software engineer, nerding out on all the technical stuff, but then you entered the job market and ended up in a position with informal leadership and found out it was the coolest thing in the world.
Emilie Lindquist, career advisor at IDA

We learn along the way, and therefore the most important thing is to be good at listening to yourself and being curious about your opportunities. Whether it is wrapped in a structured plan or a more open approach to the opportunities that may arise.

Related

For some people, it is important to have a clear plan. For others, it is not. And that is perfectly okay. We hope you have gained some insights throughout your studies. Below you will find related content.
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As a student, you are constantly developing every time you open a textbook or step into the classroom. However, there are other ways to strengthen your skills.

Use IDA Study Job Finder to find a relevant student job or an exciting internship. Also, use IDA Campus, our online learning platform, to master important tools and programs and gain skills that go beyond your education.
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