I’ve recently thought about my education and what I set out to be when I was younger. Initially after watching the movie “Twister” in 1996 I wanted to be a meteorologist, I wanted to chase storms around the countryside. I even went so far to get a bureau of meteorology pack sent to me.

When I hit my teens, my dreams were shattered. My math skills were awful, but I realised my creative skills had grown, so I took an interest in filmmaking, writing and music production. It’s amazing how much change we go through before landing in a field that inspires us, that makes us want to achieve goals and contribute to society.

Growing up in a town an hour and a half south of Perth, which focused a great deal on agriculture and aluminium mining. How was I ever to get proper life experience in the digital media sector? I wasn’t. This is why I had to take action.

I am about to give you a guide to help you map out how to find a career that may be for you. We can sometimes feel lost in our career ambitions, whether it is as a high school graduate, university graduate or just looking for a career change in our adult lives. When this occurs it’s always good to take a step back and reassess what makes you happy. Here are some tips.

What drives you?

Create a mind map of your strengths and weaknesses and skills. This will give you an idea of the field you should be working in. There are online tests, which can help show where your expertise will be best utilised. This is the first step you need to take.

Write down your career plans.

Without any direction how can you work towards a goal? List your goals and aims, actions, commitments and progress. Once you put this in place your journey begins. For example when a boat sets out on the seas. The captain will pin point the port they intend to get to and then they navigate the seas in order to reach the goal. It’s the same as setting your career goals. Pin point your career and work towards your journey.

How will you get there?

Many people are fearful of failing. As humans we can’t help this emotion, but what we need to do is remember in a career scenario is the worst a mentor or a perspective employer can say is “no”. Don’t be afraid to ask people within an industry questions. Learn from people who are already doing what you want to be. Find a mentor in the field. Increase your skills and knowledge by studying and updating your skills.

Action is the key.

It’s easy to say that you will accomplish your career dreams, but without the right motivation and dedication you will not reach them. Be smart about your game plan. It’s easy to put your money where your mouth is. Don’t trick your self into thinking you are making changes, cause this won’t happen without implementing these changes.

Of course I’ve been guilty of saying my work change is coming, and have let the time fly by, but trust me when the light bulb finally switches on you just don't look back. I realised I was never going to have a media career in my country town so in 2011 I moved to Melbourne. The past 4 years in Melbourne have allowed me to build my career and work for companies I would never have had the chance to.