How to choose the right career
- Part 1 -

Mehnaz N *

There's that time in life where you actually have to stand at the four-crossing and choose a road that will fill your pockets with joy and happiness. Yes, I am talking about that road where the destination is your career. The road to this destination can be hard however with the right advice; you can reach your destination with less difficulty.

I have thrown out some pointers at you so that the road is easier, after much research of course. What you need to do is a little bit of hard work, some planning, and some serious self-reflection to get your dream job. You can then set a road for yourself towards a fruitful, fulfilling career that can provide for you and your family. Sounds good? Read on:

1. Consider what you have always wanted to become;your dream career: Many wise men have said that if you're trying to choose a career, you should think about what you would do if you didn't have to work. If you had tons of money and you could do anything with it, what would you do? Your answer to that particular question may actually give you an idea on what you would like to do for more than half of your life.

If being a "rockstar" is your thing, consider going into audio engineering or music composition or lessons that cater to your choice of musical instrument/instruments. These careers are easier to pursue, however you need to consider the financing and the job market structure involved in these types of career. For sure, once the initial phase of the struggle is done, you have yourself the "time of your life" phase.

If you get fascinated by the movie scene and want to be an actor, consider going into film and Television institutes or get a mass communication degree. You can get a degree in communications or work your way up the chain of command in a local news or other television studio and get experience with acting career.

If you are one of those people who actually have a "list of places to travel", you might want to think about becoming an airline steward or stewardess. You get a good pay and also, you can pursue your dream of traveling the globe.

2. Do you have a list of hobbies? There you go: Think about it. It is pretty easy to turn your hobbies or something that you love doing into a future career. You may not have realized it but many hobbies relate to real world professional needs and positions. Think of what you like to do and how that might fit into a career.

Let us take the example of playing video games. If you like playing those awesome games, why not become an awesome video game designer or a programmer or even a QA specialist. Think of it in serious terms. If you like drawing or art, become a graphic designer. You get a handsome amount for being one as well. If you are a sports enthusiast, consider going into teaching or getting certified as a coach in your interest of that game.

3. Do you get hit with random school throwbacks? Nail it there: You might not have been a nerd all the way in school but certain subjects in school translate well into future careers. It may require more schooling than other type of careers but surely, keep it in mind. Your favorite class in high school could very well launch you into your future career but you have to be willing to work for it.

For example, if you had chemistry with physics, you can become a scientist or an astronaut. Your interest in Chemistry can take you forward to a future career as a lab technician or a pharmacist. English classes gave you that zeal; consider becoming an editor or a copywriter. If you enjoyed math, consider becoming an actuary or an accountant.

Skills

1. Look into the set of skills that you possess. There will be some things that you are extremely good at. Consider those skills or that particular skill. Fixing or making things can lead you to a great career in the future. The schooling process that you have experienced may or may not be vital however skilled labor is often in demand in most of the companies out there.

Professions like carpentry, auto repair, construction and electrical work often need people who are good at fixing things or people skilled with focused hands. These jobs usually bring economic stability to one's lifestyle. Other skills, such as cooking, can also lead to becoming great Chefs.

2. Interpersonal skills are also very rewarding. Your skills of helping and communicating with other people can lead you to become a grand executive in most companies. Roles like marketing executives, social workers, business development executives, sales representatives, human resource managers and many other such positions demand these set of skills in the job market today.

If you take pleasure in helping and taking care of people, nursing or an administrative assistant or office managercan be your stop to a passionate career.

3. It is always good to seek help if you are unaware of your skills. It is possible that you are not able to decide on your set of good skills or even confused with so many things that you like. Don't hesitate. Ask a family member or your parents or your friends. You can even ask your teacher about their views on you and your skills. You can also visit a career consultant if you are not able to conclude after asking so many people. Take a step forward to know things about yourself so that you can derive at the profession that you'd be good at. Their ideas you get from your advisors might surprise you!

Current State

1. Know yourself. Figuring out what you should do with your life may sometimes require you to get to know yourself better. If you want a career that will really make you happy, you need to have a very good understanding of what you want and what you enjoy. For some people, this means taking some time off to decide what's important to them.

There is nothing wrong with this, so don't feel bad. It's more important that you figure your life out as early as possible, rather than getting knee deep in a career which makes you hate your life.

2. Financial situation. Your ability to pursue or change careers may hinge on your financial situation. Some career paths require special schooling and this is sometimes expensive. However, you should not feel that being poor bars you from getting the education you want. There are lots of government programs to help you pay for schools, as well as scholarships, grants, and apprenticeship programs.

3. The education you will have as you enter a career. It is important to consider what education you already have or will have as you begin pursuing a career. If finances may bar you from pursuing more schooling, you may need to consider what you already have. It may also be necessary to stick with your existing high school or college degree if there are time limitations or other restrictions. If you find that you are limited to jobs relating to the degree you already have, consult with a career counselor to find out what options are available to you.

4. Are you returning to school? If restrictions do not bar you from pursuing more schooling, you may want to consider this option. Not everybody excels in school or needs a traditional college education, but most career paths have associated training which you can do and will help you advance more quickly.

Technical colleges, for example, may be a good option for those who would prefer not to pursue a traditional education.

5. Research more. If you're still confused, consider doing more research on this topic. You can find more helpful information here or consult with your adviser or college of choice.

To be continued ...