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- Planning your studies
- How to manage your studies?
- How to plan for your studies?
- How much freedom do you have to modify your studies?
- When to make learning choices within the curriculum?
- How little or how much can you study?
- How can you concentrate on and manage the time of studies?
- How to change specialisations?
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What kind of job suits you best?
Have you ever stopped to think about what the modern workplace looks like? Today’s jobs are full of variety — people from different cultures, fast-changing environments, and new challenges all the time. That’s why it’s important to be flexible, open-minded, and ready to understand others.
| Take a moment to reflect: What kind of life and job would make you feel happy and motivated? Picture the perfect place to live and work — where you feel inspired and can do your best. What does that look like for you? Give it some real thought! |
Understanding what matters to you is key when thinking about your future career. Think about if the job you want match the life you imagine for yourself? Will it give you the freedom and sense of purpose you’re looking for?
Remember, people choose careers not just for the money, but to use their skills, knowledge, and personal strengths. Work has a big impact on how we see ourselves and how we feel overall. So before making a big decisions, take some time to think things through. The Career Hub is a great place to reflect on what really matters to you.
Consider the following questions to guide your thoughts:
- What kind of work environment feels right for you? What values matter most in a job?
- What gets you interested and makes your day more exciting?
- What skills do you already have, and which ones would you like to develop?
- How do your personal qualities influence the way you work?
- How are your work and your health connected?
Feel free to discuss these issues with the university career counsellor. They’re here to support you on your exciting journey!
The way we think about work has changed a lot over time, so it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what really drives you. Since we spend such a big part of our lives working, it makes sense to ask: What’s all this really for? Figuring out what you value in a job can help you build a career that actually feels meaningful and rewarding.
Values are the ideas, relationships, and beliefs that matter to you. They guide your choices — even if you’re not always fully aware of them. While values can feel a bit abstract at times, they’re actually a key part of how we make decisions, especially when it comes to our careers.
Recognising your values is a process, and it’s completely normal for them to change over time. What feels important in your 20s might look very different later on. If you’re just starting out, take some time to think about what really matters to you — the kind of work you enjoy, the environment that helps you do your best, the working conditions you prefer, and the relationships you want with the people around you. And if you’re already further along in your career, try reflecting on what parts of your current job bring you energy — and which ones leave you feeling drained or unmotivated.
Thinking about it can help you better understand your work values and figure out what really matters to you. Of course, no job is perfect — it’s rare to find one that ticks every single box. But knowing what motivates you and what you care about most can guide you toward work that feels meaningful. When you feel genuinely connected to what you do, that sense of purpose can be one of the most rewarding parts of your career. Values drive our joy of work. The pleasure of work comes when you are so committed to what you do that nothing else matters to you at that time.
The word cloud on the right highlights different work values that might help you think about what matters most to you — both in your career and in your personal decision-making.
Let´s do a quick activity: My work values
Map your work-related values on the career wheel
In short, the more your job reflects your values and suits the environment you thrive in, the more likely you are to feel happy and fulfilled at work. So take a little time to explore what really matters to you. You can also think about your interests, strengths, personal qualities, and how your work affects your well-being — all of these are key to understanding yourself better. This kind of reflection can help guide you toward a career that feels meaningful and rewarding. Take the opportunity — your ideal job might be closer than you think.
Alongside values, you can also explore topics like interests, skills, personal qualities, and how work and well-being are connected — all right here on this website. Each of these areas plays an important role in building self-awareness and finding a job that truly fits you.
Hobbies and activities you enjoy don’t just make life more fun — they can also help you figure out what to study, what skills to build, and even what kind of job might suit you best.
That said, not every interest will turn into a job or career — and that’s perfectly okay. Life isn’t just about work, and following your passions helps keep a healthy balance. It’s normal for your interests to change over time — some may fade away, while new ones appear.
Knowing which activities truly excite you can help you build a life that feels right for you.
| Take a moment to reflect: What topics do you find yourself drawn to day after day? |
Notice what captures your attention and what you’re curious to explore more deeply. Try diving into activities that interest you, and don’t be afraid to try new hobbies! This kind of exploration not only helps you learn more about yourself, but it might also lead you to an exciting new field or career path you hadn’t considered before.
Now, let´s do a quick exercise: My interests
Write down your favourite activities on the career wheel
Knowing what interests you and including them in your career plans is key to living a fulfilling life. Your current or future job should fit with your skills, knowledge, interests, and values. The better the match, the more satisfied and happier you’re likely to be. Enjoy this journey of self-discovery — it’s an exciting step toward a future that really reflects who you are!
Everyone has developed their own unique set of skills over time. Even if you don’t always notice them, you definitely have abilities that make you who you are. Doing a skills check helps you see what you’re good at and where you might want to improve. It gives you a clearer picture of your strengths and helps you make smarter decisions about your studies and career. In today’s fast-changing world, learning new things and adapting to change isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.
By knowing what skills you have, you can:
- Find a job that matches what you’re good at.
- Discover training options to build any skills you need to succeed in the role you want.
Job postings clearly show the knowledge, skills, and qualities employers are looking for. That’s why being aware of your own skills is key when searching for new jobs or planning a career change. Your university studies — including internships and exchange programs — provide great opportunities to build both professional knowledge and technical skills, such as foreign languages, programming, or using statistical software. On top of that, these experiences help you develop important general skills, such as communication, negotiation, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills will prepare you to succeed in almost any workplace.
Generic skills are your secret weapons for handling new situations, solving tricky problems, and communicating with all kinds of people! These important skills include self-management, analytical thinking, conflict resolution, adaptability, creative problem-solving, and much more.
The importance of generic skills has grown a lot in recent years! Employers now see them as essential not only for hiring but also for doing well at work. These skills don’t just boost your technical know-how — they also help you succeed in different professional settings. According to the Estonian Qualifications Authority’s labour market forecast, the ideal future employee will have deep knowledge in at least one area, while also being able to understand and connect different fields and the people within them. Besides being experts in their field, these future professionals are expected to develop “soft skills” such as effective communication, cultural awareness, and the ability to adapt to change .
From the employer’s point of view, the international platform LinkedIn emphasises the importance of generic skills in today’s rapidly changing job market. One skill that stands out is adaptability, especially as rapid advances in artificial intelligence are changing the way we work like never before. According to LinkedIn, some of the most in-demand generic skills for 2024 are :
- communication,
- customer service,
- leadership,
- project management,
- management,
- analytics,
- teamwork,
- sales,
- problem-solving,
- research.
| A moment of reflection: Look at LinkedIn’s list of important skills. Which ones stand out to you? Which skills do you already have, and which would you like to improve? Take a moment to think about how you might develop those skills — there’s a whole world of opportunities waiting for you! |
Do you have any exciting international experiences to share? Did you complete a traineeship during your studies? If you stepped out of your comfort zone and faced difficult situations, you gained valuable skills! It’s essential to share with your potential employer about these experiences – they demonstrate your ability to adapt and be resilient. Keep shining!
Let´s do a quick exercise: My positive experience
Think about your unique skills and strengths, and map them out on the career wheel
Your skills are a key part of your career path. Take a moment to think about all the skills you have, especially your generic skills!
Seek opportunities to improve these abilities. Check out the Future Skills section on the Career Hub for tips on building your generic skills. Keep in mind, employers are valuing these skills more and more — often just as much as technical knowledge! Let’s get excited about your potential and the bright future waiting for you!
When thinking about your studies or future career path, it’s worth taking a moment to consider who you are as a person. What qualities define you? Understanding your personal traits and qualities can offer valuable insight into how you learn and work best. Are you someone who prefers to work independently? Do you see yourself as creative, patient, or curious? Try to reflect on the qualities that have helped you reach your goals so far — and the ones that continue to shape your ambitions.
| Take a moment to reflect: How well do you understand your own personal style — and how do others see you? |
As you explore your career path, it’s important to recognise your personal qualities and how they align with your professional goals. Think about where your traits naturally fit the type of work you’re considering. For example, if you’re imaginative and free-spirited but end up in a highly structured environment that values strict rules, it might be worth asking whether that role is truly right for you. A mismatch like that could limit your creativity and leave you feeling frustrated.
In many situations — like job interviews or when writing a motivational letter — employers are interested in how you describe yourself. It’s helpful to keep a list of your key traits, along with real-life examples of how they show up in your daily routine and support your performance at work.
Understanding your personal qualities can help you:
- identify your strengths,
- figure out which types of jobs suit you best,
- clearly express what you can offer to potential employers,
- spot areas for personal growth that could boost your career prospects.
Now, let´s do an exercise: My personal qualities
Take the time to outline your personal qualities on the career wheel
Everyone is unique, and understanding how you make decisions can help you navigate your career path with more confidence and clarity. Embrace your personal style and use it to build a career that feels meaningful and true to who you are.
When choosing a workplace, it’s important to consider the nature of the job, the work environment, management style, and the culture and relationships within the organisation. All of these factors have a strong impact on your overall well-being and health. By prioritising your health, you can seek out opportunities that truly match your needs and help create a positive work atmosphere. Understanding how your work environment and relationships affect your health is key. Find out about occupational diseases.
| Take a moment to reflect: Do you spend long hours at a computer? Are you standing for extended periods or working in uncomfortable positions? How would you describe your relationships with colleagues? |
The nature of work has changed a lot over the years, with fewer physically demanding jobs and more roles that involve sitting for long periods. Many of us spend 8 to 12 hours a day sitting! While sedentary work can be convenient, it often means less physical activity and increased mental stress. A simple but effective way to counter this is to alternate between sitting and standing during your workday, giving your body a chance to move and change positions . Jobs that require a wide range of action, strength and frequent movement are generally done standing. The standing posture allows for mobility but places a greater load on muscles, joints, and ligaments than the sedentary position .
In many professions, computers have become essential—whether you’re entering data, managing documents, creating graphics, or designing innovative projects. Even monitoring automated industrial machines often depends on computer use. However, it’s important to recognise that spending long hours at the computer can lead to health issues, particularly musculoskeletal problems caused by poor posture .
Mental well-being at work is just as important as physical health. Terms like work-related stress and burnout have become increasingly common in today’s work culture, highlighting the need for a supportive social environment.
These challenges aren’t just personal — they’re deeply influenced by workplace dynamics, task organisation, and the overall culture within the organisation.
Stay attentive to your health and be aware of any changes or concerns that come up. For example, if you have allergies, a lab job might not be the best fit. Or, if you have joint problems, it may be wise to avoid roles that require prolonged periods of standing or uncomfortable positions.
By thinking proactively about your health, you can explore jobs that better suit your needs or consider making adjustments in your current role. Always communicate openly with your employer about possible changes that could improve your working conditions. Support is available—for instance, through the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, which offers assistance with workplace adaptations.
As you plan your career, remember that health is just as important as your values, interests, skills, and personality. By considering and prioritising your well-being, you can build a fulfilling and sustainable career that not only brings you joy but also supports your overall health. Embrace this journey with optimism and confidence as you strive for a healthy balance between work and life.
