Each new year, we see the outflow of graduates from articles. These graduates will soon be eligible to register for the CA(SA) designation, a step which marks the beginning of a lifelong adventure! Their most common dilemma is the direction to choose post articles.
Kamir Arjun CA(SA) Senior Staff auditor at Deloitte Netherlands
The journey of the CA(SA) path from studies to articles is somewhat rigid, but once it is done, there is the dread that many face of deciding what they want to do post articles.
Life post articles can be daunting. I experienced that feeling myself. I was worried that I would make the wrong career choice and would be stuck in that position. I tried to make the perfect decision until I realised that I didn’t need to have my life figured out at age 25. Finishing articles is just the start of your journey as a CA(SA) and you have your whole life to make changes to your career as you evolve and grow. Realising that has made my journey even sweeter!
This article is aimed at putting your mind at ease by providing a framework to help you navigate your journey post articles.
As you navigate through this journey, ask yourself the following questions:
- What interests and excites me?
- Where am I currently?
- Where do I see myself?
- How do I get there?
Once you answer the questions above, you will be able to determine the direction with more clarity and take intentional tangible steps to achieve your goal. This is where the magic happens. Once you commit to your goals, and work hard to make them happen, people and opportunities begin to filter into your life to spur you along.
Learn from these people. Ask them to mentor you. Your mentors are generally further along the path you are walking, and they can offer you a treasure trove of wisdom and experience that will not only prevent you from making the same mistakes they made, but it will also speed up your learning curve, allowing you to reach your goals faster. How awesome is that!
But what if I either fail along the way or feel like I can’t pivot out of my career path?
Remember, dear reader, the CA(SA) designation is a world-class designation. This means that there is always an opportunity available for you provided that you look for it. Your registration opens up opportunities and provides a safety net for you to chase your goals.
After considering all of the above, I would encourage you to embrace challenges and opportunities in pursuit of your goals.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Besides using LinkedIn to find a mentor, SAICA also has a mentorship programme that its professionals can use to grow within their industries. Why not try it? Perhaps the opportunity of a lifetime is sitting just on the other side of your comfort zone. Good luck, dear reader!
