How to Choose the Right Career?
While there is no magic formula in choosing your dream career, and everyone's journey is going to be different, here are a few essential steps in helping you get started:
1. The first thing you should do is learn about yourself. All of us have strengths and weaknesses; all of us have different temperaments and personality types. What comes easy to you that many other people seem to struggle with? What hobby or activity have you engaged in for hours without noticing that the time flew by? Do you love being around people? Do you enjoy spending time alone? How do you learn best? What or who inspires you?
Sometimes it is hard answering those questions, and this is when personality tests and assessments come in handy. We are fortunate to live in the age of the Internet and technology to have hundreds of tests and assessments available to us, often free of charge. Your school's career counselor, Ms Brophy, will be happy to do some personality tests with you, and there is always Naviance App, which has multiple assessments and personality tests to help you as well.
Don't be tempted to skip this critical step. Knowing who you are, what you are best at, and how you are wired are crucial to success.
2. The second step is making a list of jobs or careers you may be interested in. Don't overthink! Not yet, anyway. Just brainstorm and make a list of jobs that seem appealing to you (regardless of education required, salaries, etc). If you still have trouble coming up with a list of jobs, try career assessments. There are a couple of them in Naviance, located under Self-Discovery Tab.
Here are a couple of other career interest profiles you may find helpful as well:
3. The next step is RESEARCH. Research all the jobs you put on the list. Occupational Outlook Handbook is a great tool that includes information about the nature of work, working conditions, training and education, earnings, and job outlook for hundreds of different occupations in the United States. Based on the information you found, try to narrow your list down to the top three possible career paths.
4. Now it's time to do more research. What is required to get the jobs you are interested in? Do you need a college degree? Advanced degree? Certificate? On-the-job training? Are these jobs easy to find in the area you are planning to live? Use Indeed.com to see what's available in your area. Even if you are still years away from applying for jobs, it's never too early to start your research. The more information you have, the more equipped you'll be and the more successful you'll be in creating your short-term and long-term goals, which will lead you to your dream career.
If you feel overwhelmed, don't worry. Here at EPEA are ready to help you and we'll be happy to guide you every step of the way.
Fun Facts About Jobs
Did you know that...
- The career of "data scientist" has been judged one of the most most lucrative and attractive careers of the 21st century. Data scientists analyze information, such as market and statistical trends, in order to help their companies make sound decisions and investments.
- Of the twenty wealthiest people in the world, fourteen are US citizens.
- The safest American jobs include librarian, secretary, and salesperson
- The most dangerous jobs in America include logger, deep-sea fisherman, and airplane pilot.
- The first minimum wage law was passed under Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, setting the wage at 25 cents per hour.
