Confused? 10 Tips For Choosing A Career

This article contains information on the 10 Tips For Choosing A Career.

So you are about to graduate from college or probably getting ready to declare a major. It is on a wrong note not to know exactly what you want to do with your life. It is even worse when you feel like everyone is pressuring you to choose a career. Picking a career is one of those significant decisions that can change the course of your life. Such a vital decision deserves considerable time and inlook. Wide-range of information and self-examination can help you choose a befitting career that you will find pleasing.

Permit me to enlighten you in this article on ways you can choose a befitting career.

10 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A CAREER

1.  Know your work style

The right career for you will be suited to your work style. Are you a self-starter who accomplishes goals on your own, or do you need the discipline of a structured work environment to do your best? An honest evaluation of your work style will help you decide whether a career where you work independently is right for you. If you’re naturally a daydreamer or a procrastinator, you may do well in a career where a supervisor helps you stay on task. Your work style influences your ability to thrive in certain careers.

For instance, if you are someone who tends to procrastinate, a career where you report directly to another individual will most likely be better than one where you’re left to your own devices for large parts of the day.

Think about the jobs you’ve had in the past. Which ones did you do well at and which ones did you find difficult? Did you like being able to set your own schedule and work independently without supervision? Or did you need to have a more hands-on supervisor keeping you accountable? There are other factors that affect your job performance. But, your natural work style plays a large role.

2.  Know your Skills

Every career requires a different skill set. Sales managers need great leadership skills, and teachers need to be able to communicate excellently with both students and parents.

Do you have a hobby or a talent that you love and are good at? Think of ways to transform activities that come naturally to you into a career. Working with wood, playing an instrument or trying different hairstyles can lead to careers as a custom furniture maker, a musician or a hairstylist. Doing what you love can lead to a rewarding career. Take some time to figure out what you are good at. List every talent and skill you have, even if it doesn’t seem like it will help you get a job.

Knowing every skill that you have, even ones that do not seem particularly marketable can help you find a career that you’ll enjoy and be good at. For example, being good at video games might not seem like a marketable skill. But dig a little deeper. What exactly are you good at when it comes to video games? Creative problem-solving? Decision-making? These are important skills that can apply to a number of different careers.

3.  Set your goals

What do you want out of a career? How much money do you want to make? Do you want to help other people? Do you want to travel?

If you are pursuing a career that does not align with your long-term goals, it is unlikely that you will ever feel truly satisfied with it. Of course, goals change from time to time, and things that were once important become less so. It is still good to have an idea of what you want so that you have something to work toward.

4.  Know your values

Of all the tips for choosing a career, thinking about what you value in a job is one of the most important.

Do you love working independently, or do you need social interaction throughout the day to feel fulfilled? Is it important for you to spend time with your family and be home at a certain hour every day? Or are you fine with working overtime and having a more unpredictable schedule?

Really think about these questions and pass over any careers that won’t match up with the things you value most.

5.  Do the Arithmetic before going to school

Before you pay or borrow money for university or graduate school, make sure the career you choose is worth the expense. According to the National Center for Education Statistics [1], between 2006–07 and 2016–17, prices for undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board at public institutions rose 31 percent, and prices at private nonprofit institutions rose 24 percent, after adjustment for inflation. The price for undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board at private for-profit institutions decreased 11 percent between 2006–07 and 2016–17, after adjustment for inflation. If you need to go back to school to qualify for your dream job, look into programs that repay your student loans if you are to work in a public service position for a few years after graduation.

6.  Always know that things can change

There are a lot of good careers lists out there that will say you should strive for a certain career because you are guaranteed to make a certain amount of money with it. But there is no way to totally guarantee job security. There might be a lot of demand for a job now, but what about in years to come?

You do not have to totally disregard predictions about the result for a certain job. However, do not choose a job just because it is number one on a list somewhere. Things can change over time, and the job that was once number one might end up not even making the list a few years from now.

7.  Relate with people who work in the field

Talking with someone who is already working in the field you are considering can be totally helpful. It is better if you can meet with multiple people. A 15-minute interview can tell you a lot about a specific career.

Carry out findings, ask questions about the job description, whether or not the person would choose it if they could go back in time, and what kinds of skills they have found to be most beneficial. Following someone around for a day is like getting a glimpse into your future. You will get a good idea of whether or not you actually want to do the same work that this person is doing, which can help you make concrete decisions about your future career.

8.  How about an internship?

This is another way to gain experience to help you conclude if a specific career is right for you. There is nothing more realistic than actually doing the work you are pondering on dedicating your life to. An internship can also help you get a foot in the door at a company you really want to work for.

A study found that 52 percent of interns get offered a full-time position with the company they were working for. So you see? This is a good way to earn you a spot in your dream organization.

9.  Hire a career coach

If by doing it yourself is not working for you then a professional career coach can help you measure your aptitude for success in different professions and plan your change from the job you have now toward your dream job. If you feel like you are stuck on your current career path, a coach may provide the counsel you need to begin the process and move onward and upward toward achieving success.

10.  Be patient and develop your career

Getting to know the right career is a process that requires all of the processes above. An entry-level position in your field may probably not be your dream job, but it can be a step forward into your career path. It takes time to develop your career, but setting goals and following a plan to achieve them can help you fulfill your career goals.

References

[1] The NCES Fast Facts Tool provides quick answers to many education questions (National Center for Education Statistics). (n.d.) from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=76