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Picking the right career isn't just a challenge for kids graduating from high school. Lots of adults wrestle with finding their niche. You'll find shelves of books in the library and bookstores on career choice. The real challenge is finding the best career for you.
Studies show that the average working American will have three to five careers and between 10 to 12 jobs during his or her lifetime. Flexibility in seeing different options is important and individuals find that their needs and interests can evolve overtime. So, what's the best career for you now?
There's lots of information on which are the hot jobs this year; even the careers forecasted to be in big demand for the next ten years. Different schools--whose business it is to get paying students--will even advertise their programs as if their training guarantees you a high-paying, universally-fulfilling job. But before you rush into a career choice, you need to think about several things
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Do You Know Yourself? You need to know what works for you personally. Does the job area you're considering really interest you? If you answer that you "sort of" like accounting, then you need to seriously examine your areas of interest. Now, you may answer that there aren't many jobs that involve playing video games or shopping. This is true. But your interests are very important in choosing your career path. If you love talking to and interacting with people, working alone in an office all day may not be your best career. Some people, however, love working in uninterrupted quiet. Which are you? Do you thrive with variety or crave routine? Know your own needs.
How much money will you make? Salary alone is a lousy reason to pursue any career. It is important, however, to know what income you can expect to make. If you don’t need much more than minimal transportation and a roof over your head, go ahead and choose the career that promises personal fulfillment, if not financial security. On the other hand, going after a career with only money as a motivation could land you in hours of misery every work day. That's way too much of your life to hate.
This leads us to a often-overlooked area of career choice. You may love your Psychology classes in college or really like studying English, but you need to know where career choices will lead you.
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What will you do every day in the job you're considering? Nurses deal with sick people, who sometimes complain. Law enforcement personnel deal with some of the lowest forms of human behavior--and they can't slap them silly anymore than nurses can tell off complaining patients. Archeologists sometimes dig in sweltering temperatures for days without finding anything, and criminologists do a heck of a lot of dull lab work that is never shown on television. If you get the job you're thinking about, what will you do every day?
What will you have to do to get to the job? If you've narrowed your areas of interest down to one or two, have you found out what training is required? Some jobs require no college, some involve two years of higher learning, others require eight or ten years. Love math? Hate math? English your worst subject? Find out what you're going to have to endure to get where you think you want to go.
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Talk to someone doing the job. This is one of the hardest things for most people. Even if you're not shy, it can be difficult to ask someone--maybe a stranger--to take the time to answer your career questions. Still, it is tremendously helpful to ask a person who's in the job what she likes or doesn't like about it. What did he wish he'd known before he started out in this particular training? Don't just talk to one; interview two or three people in your potential career. Surprisingly, most people will love to talk to you.
Ever wonder why people tend to get into the same careers their relatives pursue? They know what it's like to do those jobs! Don't feel like you have to choose the same career your uncle chose unless you really like it, but you also don't want to jump into a job you don't really know. Ask someone who's already working that job.
Even if they don't know you from Adam, give several people working in jobs you're considering a phone call or email. Ask them for twenty minutes of their time. You'll be surprised how enthusiastically most of them will respond. Go prepared with a list of questions. They'll be eagerly answered.
Student loans! These can be a blessing or a curse, sometimes both. With costs rising, college or technical school can be expensive. All schools, however, will quickly offer you a student loan application. Go ahead and fill it out--if you're going to be able to pay it back without living in poverty when you graduate. Many students are taking out big debt to earn degrees that qualify them for jobs that may earn them a decent living…but don't leave much left over to pay back college loans. You can spend ten years repaying loans after you graduate.
If you're heading to medical school, law school or any profession that will end up with you having significant earning power, loans may be a good option. If, however, your heart is set on any one of a thousand other important, but less well-paid jobs, you might want to work your way through school instead of taking out loans. Pay-as-you-go might be slower, and you may resist the thought of taking eight years to finish a four-year degree, but coming out debt-free will be in your best interest.
Which ever career you pick, make it the best one for you.
