Many high schools offer career counseling to students to help them decide what they want to do for a living once they are out in the "real world." This can be helpful for some, but for others, the question leaves them confused. Put these suggestions to use as you try to determine what profession is best for you.
1. Many job-oriented websites offer quizzes that may help you define what you want out of a career. One well-known quiz, the Myers-Briggs Test, offers insights into your personality type, and based on a series of questions, suggests possible jobs to consider.
2. Take a look at what interests you and get in touch with professionals in that field. For example, if you are interested in current events and breaking news, you might consider journalism as an occupation. There are professional associations for journalists, so look online and check out their websites. They may be able to put you in touch with a journalist who can fill you in on how to get started.
3. Be honest with yourself about your skills, gifts, and talents. Hopefully, they will dovetail with what actually interests you, and it will become clear what profession would best suit you. As an example, if you are shy, you should probably not go into customer service. Writing it out on paper may help you to ascertain what your strengths and weaknesses are.
4. There are many people out of work right now, and that means a lot of candidates are vying for a limited number of open positions. You should seriously consider how likely it will be to find a job in the field you have in mind, as there is little point in working toward employment in a particular profession if jobs are scarce in that field.
5. Ascertain what the most important factor is in terms of potential employment. If your main consideration is that you earn a high salary, then this will affect which field you should pursue. If you are more concerned with a relaxed environment, or with job satisfaction, it may change the direction in which you decide to go.
So even though life doesn't come with a manual, you can certainly figure out how to be a productive, contributing member of society. Deciding what line of work to go into takes only a few simple steps and a little soul-searching, and before you know it, you'll be on your way to the career that is right for you.
1. Many job-oriented websites offer quizzes that may help you define what you want out of a career. One well-known quiz, the Myers-Briggs Test, offers insights into your personality type, and based on a series of questions, suggests possible jobs to consider.
2. Take a look at what interests you and get in touch with professionals in that field. For example, if you are interested in current events and breaking news, you might consider journalism as an occupation. There are professional associations for journalists, so look online and check out their websites. They may be able to put you in touch with a journalist who can fill you in on how to get started.
3. Be honest with yourself about your skills, gifts, and talents. Hopefully, they will dovetail with what actually interests you, and it will become clear what profession would best suit you. As an example, if you are shy, you should probably not go into customer service. Writing it out on paper may help you to ascertain what your strengths and weaknesses are.
4. There are many people out of work right now, and that means a lot of candidates are vying for a limited number of open positions. You should seriously consider how likely it will be to find a job in the field you have in mind, as there is little point in working toward employment in a particular profession if jobs are scarce in that field.
5. Ascertain what the most important factor is in terms of potential employment. If your main consideration is that you earn a high salary, then this will affect which field you should pursue. If you are more concerned with a relaxed environment, or with job satisfaction, it may change the direction in which you decide to go.
So even though life doesn't come with a manual, you can certainly figure out how to be a productive, contributing member of society. Deciding what line of work to go into takes only a few simple steps and a little soul-searching, and before you know it, you'll be on your way to the career that is right for you.
About the Author:
Marcus Riggs is a counselor who assists adults in selecting online colleges and online degrees to help them reach their career goals.
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