Choosing a career today is not as easy as it was ten years ago, or even five years ago. About every year, a new industry practically emerges. There are more and more opportunities that you can take advantage of from different industries.
As you near completion of high school or college, there are resources to help you land in that perfect niche. There are a lucky few who know their gift or calling at a very young age. However, for most, that choice may change before the time comes when you have to decide.
Talk to Mentors:
Mentors can often guide you in determining your career path. Whether you are a lifelong mentor, who has wisdom and knows you, or a mentor at work who sees your gifts and abilities, this is a good place to start.
Talk about your choices and the reasons why you feel you might like careers in particular with a trusted person.
Use Visualization:
Creating visualization is a great method. Imagine what you want in life. Write down what you like, want to get, and list the different scenarios. Think about the things you do that make you feel positive or rewarded. That can be a good clue as to where you excel and what you will do better.
Look for visual cues about the job or jobs you are contemplating. Photographs, the Internet, visual images of works can be obtained everywhere. If those images excite you, that’s probably what you should try to do.
Voice Targets:
Say out loud what you want. Be positive in doing this. Saying “I can do it …” or “I can succeed at” or “My destiny is …” If these things get you excited at the prospect, that’s a good clue. Workers will always excel better at what they are good at and love the most.
Use the Negatives:
In the pursuit of a career, as in life, negatives will be found along the way. If you don’t get an interview call or get negative comments, use it to build your future. Determine where things turned out and change those things, rehearse interviews with friends and family, modify your resume if necessary. Don’t let this stop you from your long-term goal.
Imagine a Dream:
Imagine your life in the career you chose. Imagine doing the things you enjoy and are good at. The beauty of choosing the right career area is that you get paid to do what you love.
Use Existing Resources:
One of the most important and often overlooked resources for career selection is the high school and college resource office. Whether it’s your guidance counselor at school or your career placement at college, they have professional means to help guide you properly.
Assessment tests show your strengths and weaknesses, what you like and what you don’t like. They also have a wide variety of career information.
Human Resources offices at work can also guide you toward career improvement. Many people miss out on opportunities because they don’t use these resources.
Online resources are one of the best means of determining your career. There is a myriad of information about careers and their implications. The Labor Office produces monthly statistical research reports. These reports show the current employment status (CES). It is compiled with data from 143,000 companies and government agencies surveyed.
These reports show trends in employment, hours worked, and earnings. This is a great indicator of the career options you may be considering.
Internships:
Internships are a great way to determine if a career is right for you. Working day-to-day in the actual environment you have chosen is a great way to see if that job is right for you. If you have a passion for work, you have made the right decision.
Keep Options Open:
If certain jobs or career paths don’t seem to fit, never close a door. Although you may not have particularly liked certain aspects of the job you are in, if you decide to move on, please do so politely. Your ideas or options may change later.
Make a Plan:
When choosing the right career path, make a plan. Set goals, step by step. Identify the skills needed for that. Determine if you are a good fit for that. Adapt if it is what you want your lifetime goal to be.
