Choosing a career seems daunting. After all, you'll likely dedicate a significant amount of time to your selected occupation. Rather than letting the stress of the decision get the best of you, take some time to consider what you really enjoy and how it aligns with the kind of life you want to live. Planning ahead will set you up for success and enjoyment throughout your career.
1. Start with Self-Reflection
The best careers combine something you enjoy with something that aligns with your values. A standard piece of advice is to "follow your passion." This might be helpful for some, but if you feel confused about what counts as a true passion, don't worry. Rather than trying to find something idyllic, focus on creating a simple list of tasks or activities you enjoy and feel content doing for long periods.
If there are specific tasks or projects you value, such as working outside or helping people, add them to your list. Don't try to be too specific at this point. Simply jot down as many things as you can think of that you value and enjoy without trying to connect them to any specific career path.
2. Create a List of Priorities
Just as important as your interests and values are your priorities in life. Are you someone who wants to work from home to be closer to family members? Do you desire to travel a lot for work? How important is money to you? Try to create a second list of the things that are most important in your life. You'll use this alongside your list of interests and values to find something that will be enjoyable for you as well as fit practically with your life goals.
Take some time to get specific about what you care about. Even if you're extremely interested in something you may not be willing to dedicate 40 or more hours a week to it and may instead enjoy something that still interests you enough while only taking up 20 hours a week. Everyone is unique in what they desire for the perfect work-life balance. This is one of the most important considerations for finding a career that you can not only live with but one you can appreciate and enjoy.
3. Research Your Options
This is the time to start taking note of careers that interest you. Remember that your goal is to find something that you're interested in, that aligns with your values, and that fits into your broader life plan and priorities.
Among helpful resources to give you more information about potential careers is the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, specifically the occupational outlook handbook, where you can learn more about the pay, educational requirements, competitiveness, and outlook of different careers. If you find you're getting stuck and don't know where to start, free career quizzes can also be useful in helping to generate ideas. If you want professional guidance, a career coach is another great resource to consider.
Starting With Broader Industries
At this point, you'll be looking for more general career paths rather than individual jobs. Treat this as a brainstorming session and start with broadly defined categories. You can go over them with a more critical eye during the narrowing-down phase of finding a career.
4. Narrow Down Your Interests
Now it's time to discover some specific positions you're interested in. Narrow down your broad research into job-specific listings or companies and organizations that grab your interest. However, remember that you're still in the exploratory phase. Treat this process more as a chance to get the lay of the land than a time to actually apply for anything.
Make sure to pay special attention to the following:
- Job descriptions including location, salary, and benefits
- Educational, training, or licensing requirements
- Reviews from others who've worked in similar positions and/or any educational resources about the job type available online
You can use job posting boards as a starting point to begin comparing career options. Depending on the specific areas that interest you, you might also be able to join online groups on social media where you can start to connect with professionals in the industry and get a feel for their experiences in working life. If possible, conducting informational interviews with professionals in your potential careers can be extremely beneficial.
Keeping Your Priorities in Mind
At this point, you may begin to get excited about the potential for earning money or participating in a career that excites you. While enthusiasm is great, now is a good time to return to your list of priorities and see how they align with the jobs you're considering.
Think about the big changes you'll need to make should you choose a certain career. Having to move, pursue higher education, or dedicate large amounts of time to an entry-level position for a chance of moving up are all big decisions that should not be made lightly. However, these can all be worth it, as long as you're not sacrificing any top priorities from your list.
5. Map Out the Scope of Your Career
Remember that a career choice goes far beyond landing a single job. Education, job changes, and promotions may all be part of your journey. Think about what you want to accomplish in the short term and long term. You don't have to get too specific but writing down your goals and the steps you'll need to take to accomplish them will help.
Finding a career that's a good fit is about putting some time and effort into self-reflection. The better you know yourself, your goals, and your priorities, the better you'll be able to plan for the most fulfilling future possible.
