A career is the sum total of your professional journey. Many individuals embark on a career because it helps them achieve their goals. Personal achievements in life are integral, but one cannot forget the role professional achievements play.
See, choosing a career takes time, and your career will likely shift throughout your working life. You might end up changing roles or industries according to your interests, needs, and motivations. So, stick to this blog as we bring you a list of things to consider when choosing a career that suits you.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Career
‘What kind of a career do I want?’ You might ask yourself these questions time and again. Don’t worry! Every student goes through the same dilemma.
So, read on to know what you need to consider before choosing a career.
Passion and Skills
What do you love to do? What would you do for free and still be happy? Your career might not ultimately be a perfect match to what you came up with. But daydream a bit and jot down the significant reasons as to why you get up in the morning. What inspires you? What drives you? As you write all these things down, do you see any links in common?
Now, take a minute and write down your top skills. Do you see any connection between these two lists? If you do, you might be well on your way down your career path.
Goals
What do you want out of your career? Is having a high salary your biggest motivator? Or does work-life balance intrigue you? Do you wish to travel the world? Where do you see yourself 5-10 years down the road?
Before you begin searching for a suitable career, you need to start planning what your future will look like. This is where creating a vision board can help. This is just one of the ideas that can change your life for good. Try it, and thank us later!
Options
Another one of the integral things to consider when choosing a career is options.
If you have a better idea of what your ideal job might look like, it is time to see what professions are out there. Write down the job titles that interest you.
Well, it’s integral to know that not everyone is built for the traditional 9 to 5 working arrangement, wherein you report to a supervisor. So, after looking at the professions, you can also check out if you are best suited to begin your own business. Explore as many options as you can before settling on one career.
Job Prospects and Outlooks
Along with passion, you should also factor in practicality, i.e., what jobs are dying off and which ones are projected to surge in necessity and popularity in order to meet the needs of the changing world.
There are specific tools that can help you have a better search for the fastest-growing and most in-demand careers. So, keep yourself updated regarding the jobs with which the employment sector is booming. Also, keep on increasing your skill set. It will help you a lot!
Educational Cost and Training
Simply put, no two professions are the same when it comes to the amount of education and training required. Some require graduate school, while some require internships.
As you continue to whittle down your list of potential professions, you need to know how much schooling and training will be necessary for you to obtain a specific occupation. This will help you begin to create a rough timeline in your mind, i.e., when you can go from student to practitioner, and determine the possible costs of those educational paths as you begin planning for college and managing your finances.
Learning Opportunities
One of the best ways to have the career of your choosing is to set up an informational interview with a person from that specific industry. Reach out to someone via email to schedule a 15-minute interview by phone, Zoom, Google Meet, or in person - whichever way you prefer.
Further, prepare a brief list of questions to ask. Then follow up with a thank-you note, and you will be on your way to learning about the art of networking as you continue to progress on your career path.
Potential Salary
You have a list of potential professions. Great!
It is now time to get an idea of the salary ranges of those potential careers—after all, rents and bills will not pay themselves. For an in-depth look, you can look at the current and previous salaries of those careers.
Write down the given salary ranges of each position and search by the desired location of where you wish to live. Well, that’s to know how much certain professions pay in relation to the overall cost of living in that specific region of the country.
Conclusion
Choosing a career is one of life’s most exciting yet challenging decisions. In order to find the right path, begin by exploring your interests and passions - what truly inspires and drives you? Match these with your skills and strengths in order to identify the role where you can shine.
Further, stay informed about your job market trends to ensure that your chosen career offers growth opportunities. Also, consider your values and what you want from your career, be it creativity, stability, or growth potential. You can even talk to mentors for insights and guidance.
Remember - there is no need to shy away from further education or training if it aligns with your goals, i.e., both short-term and long-term. Ultimately, ensure that your career complements your lifestyle and aspirations for a rewarding journey ahead.
