Whether you are fresh out of school or whether you have been in the world of work for years, finding a career change is tricky. This article will guide you through the tougher aspects of choosing which career is right for you.
Choosing your new career is a vital decision. If you don’t get it right, you can end up stuck in a job that you don’t enjoy for most of your life. You are going to spend a significant portion of your life at work, so you must choose something that you enjoy doing.
There are thousands of options in career out there. To find one that is right for you, you must narrow things down. Consider all aspects of a job before you commit to it. Think about adapting to new skills which cover a wide range of career options while you are studying. Other tips are included below.
Playing to Your Strengths
Begin with the process of self-assessment. Choosing a career which plays to your strengths is the best way to ensure your future job happiness. This might include writing a list of the things that you think you are best at, and writing a list of things that you don’t like to do. Evaluate the subjects you were best at in school and consider what work your personality is suited to.
For example, if you are not a people person, then public-facing jobs might not be right for you. If you struggle with mathematics, you might bypass careers which heavily focus on math. If you prefer to be active than to sit still, call center work probably won’t suit you, and so on.
Once you can identify your own strengths, you can start to consider future work.
Identifying Jobs Right for You
The next stage is for you to go out and research the jobs which are right for you. Take those preferences as the first step and turn them towards the working world. Identifying your skills is a vital step in choosing a career. Use these suggestions as ideas for which new career might suit you:
- Love a certain subject? – consider teaching it.
- Good at caring for people? A career in medicine or home care might suit you.
- Love the outdoors? Rangers, park keepers, and even groundskeepers stay outdoors and work.
- Like numbers and calculations? A job as an architect or in one of the sciences will suit you.
- Good at selling things? The retail sector is calling your name.
- Friendly with a propensity for cooking? Catering might beckon you.
Once you can picture yourself in certain roles, research the job market next to see what is commonly available.
Gather Skills and Experience
The final step towards your new career is to start applying for courses which give you the best chance of landing these chosen roles.
See the Going Ivy College Admissions page for thorough help on making college applications. If you are a full time worker who cannot afford the costs associated with returning to college, you might try the same studies using online courses, which can also help you advance your career.