Making Career Choices

Choosing a career is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. You should devote extensive time, energy, and thought to make a decision with which you will be happy.

View a career as an opportunity to do something you enjoy, not as a necessity or as a means of earning a living. Finding the best occupation for you is important because work influences many aspects of your life – from your choice of friends and recreational activities, to where you live. The choice you make today may not be your last. In fact, most people change occupations several times during their careers.

There are many factors to consider when exploring career options and many ways to begin solving your job puzzle. Everyone has certain expectations of his or her job. These may include: career advancement, self-expressions or creativity, a sense of accomplishment, or a high salary.

Deciding what you want most from your job will make choosing a career easier. Identifying your interests will help in your search for a stimulating career. You might start by assessing your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. Do not eliminate any occupation or industry before you learn more about it.

As the marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, a company’s ability to succeed depends upon its worker’s basic skills. A person needs to have a well-rounded educational background that develops basic reading, writing, and communication skills as well as interpersonal, analytical, organization, and problem solving abilities. You will also want to get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer experiences to test your interests.

MAKE A CAREER PLAN

You wouldn’t go on a trip without knowing where you were going — or without a map telling you how to get there. If you did, who knows where you would end up? It is the same with your career. To prepare for your future, you need to know where you are going and how you’re going to get there. You need have a Career Plan!

TO DEVELOP A CAREER PLAN, GO THROUGH THE FOLLOWING THREE STEPS:

1. Do self-assessments (A career that’s perfect for one person may be totally wrong for another. You need to choose a career that’s going to be a good match for YOUR interests, talents, abilities and values.)

2. Research your career choices (Choose a career field that looks interesting and learn about the careers through interviews, job shadows, career fairs and your own personal research.)

3. Consider your education options (There are several types of options available for you to prepare for your career – find out what works best for you.)

Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Website.