Why the Career You End Up Loving Might Not Be the One You Planned

It's okay if you don't have it all figured out.

This article is in partnership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Some people follow a straight path from school to university to their dream career. Most don't. This article explores why the career you end up loving might not be the one you planned, and why students shouldn't be afraid to learn about a variety of things as they narrow down their career aspirations.

The pressure to have it all figured out.

As the second half of the school year starts, we are sure those of you close to graduation are starting to think about your future goals and how to achieve them. Some of you may already know exactly what it is you want to do, some of you may have a number of ideas, and some of you might not have any idea yet. Guess what? Each of those situations is okay, because chances are in a year or two, a lot of those plans will have changed anyway.

Career paths aren’t straight lines.

We are often taught that career progressions should follow a perfectly straight line from school, to university, then to a grad role and eventually to your full time job. But in reality, this is rarely the case. A career journey can be impacted by a multitude of things that push it onto a different course, and for good reason. New experiences, emerging interests, industry changes, new mentors and unplanned opportunities are just a handful of the reasons why a career journey might change course over time. Contrary to popular belief, these types of changes are often beneficial to your career. A change of direction isn’t you getting off track, it’s actually you finding the right one by trying new things and assessing your options.

Discovering a passion you didn’t know existed.

When you start looking into possible careers, there’s a lot of information being left out such as jobs and specialisations that you might not have even known existed. Wherever you are in your journey, now is the perfect time to do your research and discover where your interests might converge.

One of the best ways to uncover new possibilities is by exploring career resources, hearing from professionals and learning about industries you may not have considered before. Next CA is a platform designed to help students do exactly that, providing career insights, real-world stories, practical resources and opportunities that can help turn curiosity into a clearer sense of direction.

Whether you’ve graduated high school, are currently studying at university or TAFE, or have graduated, it is never too late to do the research. The more exposure you give yourself, the more opportunities will arise. More opportunities means more learning experiences.

Every experience teaches you something.

There is rarely an experience in the pursuit of your career that is useless, wrong, or a waste of time. Every single experience, whether related to your studies or aspirations, or simply to earn a bit of money, has given you skills that you can carry with you. Casual jobs, volunteering, work experience, school projects and university or TAFE subjects all help you discover what you enjoy, build valuable skills and gain insights that can shape future career decisions. Being open to new opportunities allows you to try new things, helping you make more informed decisions in the future. It’s a win-win.

 Don’t be afraid of change.

There is something nerve-wracking about change, we get it. It’s sometimes hard to come to terms with the idea of making a big career change after all the time and energy previously invested. But the moment you remind yourself that no time has been wasted, and all experiences are valuable, then it becomes a little less daunting. Whether you’re changing degrees halfway through, entering an industry unrelated to your studies or discovering a new interest once you’ve already started working, all of these situations are perfectly normal.  There are no rules here other than finding that one thing that you love doing and embracing every experience up until that point.

Wherever you’re headed, Next CA can help you get there.

Whether you have your career goals mapped out or you’re still exploring what interests you most, Next CA is designed to support you along the way. Next CA is a free student membership from Chartered Accountants ANZ that helps you explore career possibilities, build confidence and take practical steps towards your future at your own pace.

Next CA is created for all students, not just those studying accounting, to help you discover career possibilities and pathways aligned with your interests and goals. Through career stories, industry insights, learning resources and practical tips, you can explore what different careers look like and where your skills and passions can take you. In addition to career resources, you can access cashback rewards from 100+ brands you already know and love, making it easier to save while planning for what's next.

Sign up to Next CA for free and start unlocking rewards, discovering career inspiration and exploring future opportunities. Career journeys don’t always follow a straight line, and having this support can make all the difference.

It’s okay to change your mind.

We know there can be a lot of pressure to have your future planned out perfectly before making the next step, but in reality, the best thing you can do is start somewhere and figure it out along the way. Even those that planned their career, make changes down the track. 

What interests you today might lead you in a completely new direction tomorrow, and that’s exciting. Give yourself permission to explore, try new things and stay open to unexpected opportunities. You never know where it might lead you.

No matter where you are in your career journey, Next CA is there to help you navigate it, with career resources, real-world insights, opportunities, support and rewards designed for students exploring what's next.