Figuring out what career to pursue can seem like an overwhelming task at times, especially with so many options available to you in the 21st-century work world. Where do you even begin? What are you good at? Which career will you enjoy? These are all questions you may ask yourself when trying to find your ideal career. Luckily, this guide on how to find the right career for you will help answer these questions and many others as well.
How to Find the Right Career for You: A Comprehensive Guide
Define Your Interests
Filling out a personality quiz or reading about your interests can help you find your ideal career. The following are some of the most common questions used in these quizzes and articles. What type of work environment do you prefer? Do you want to work independently or as part of a team? Are you more interested in people or things? Do you want to make money, have fun, or do both? Would you be happy with a high-stress job, a low-stress job, or no stress at all? What would be your dream occupation if money were not an issue? Ultimately, all these questions help define your key interests.
Research Your Options
When deciding on a career, it’s important to take time and research your options. Figure out what you’re passionate about or would like to do with your life. Take a personality test or talk to friends and family who know you well to see what careers might be a good fit for you based on those things. Explore different types of careers by reading up on them, taking classes related to them, or volunteering in areas related to them.
Consider salary and job outlook
If you are looking for a career, it is important that you find one that suits your needs. Some of the things you should consider when choosing a career are your salary expectations, interest in the industry, and skillset. To help narrow down your options, here are some questions to ask yourself: what is your desired salary? Do you want to take multiple trips in Iceland or other locations around the world? What are you interested in? Do you have any transferable skills?
Weigh pros and cons
One way to find your perfect career is by weighing the pros and cons of a few different options. Think about what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at, and what you think might pay well. If you’re really unsure of which career path is best for you, try talking to people who work in careers that interest you or reading up on various jobs. Be sure to know how much work you are willing to put in to develop the right skills. You may also want to consider whether you would require going to university, which could lead to debt. Every individual has different pros and cons so think carefully.
Get experience in the field
Find out more about the field you want to get into. Talk to people who work in that field and ask them about their experiences. Most importantly, go out and do it. Intern, volunteer, or take a part-time job in that area and see if you enjoy it or not. Your experience will help determine which career is right for you.
Make a decision
College is often seen as a time of exploration and experimentation with one’s identity, but it’s also a pivotal time in one’s life when many students are tasked with making the decision about what type of career they want to pursue. It may be tempting to dive head first into whichever field interests you most, but it’s important that you take your time and explore all your options before deciding on a career path. Nonetheless, the most essential step for your career is that you decide you want to take it on.
