If you are not one of those people who was blessed with a clear idea of what they wanted to be since they were a kid, don’t feel too badly. You are certainly not alone on that one. Choosing a career can seem like a daunting task. You want to do something you like, but you also want to make sure you make good money. You want to feel fulfilled, but may not be completely sure what path will provide this fulfillment. With so many different types of jobs to choose from, it can seem quite daunting. Here are just a few tips for getting some direction.
If Money Weren’t an Issue…
We need money to live in this world, and that is often a main driver when deciding on a job or career path. And this often leads people to taking jobs that are really not the best fit, but get seduced by the cash. Nothing wrong with wanting to make money, but don’t make that the sole factor in building your professional life.
If you really want to find a job you think you will like, take money out of the equation for a moment. If it didn’t matter, what could you see yourself doing with your days? What sorts of jobs would you like to have? What sort of activities would you like as part of your job description?
While it might not be feasible to pursue this line of work right at this moment, it will give you some helpful insights as to what types of careers may be worth considering right now.
Don’t worry about finding your passion right at this moment if it eludes you—instead focus on finding a job that meets some of your desired criteria, such as group collaboration, flexible schedule, or whatever it is you value. If you can do that, you will likely feel some degree of satisfaction with your work. Remember nothing is forever.
Education and Training Considerations
Some lines of work will require you to get additional education or special training, or it may not be a requirement, but may give you an advantage. For example, if you are interested in construction because you like building things and being outdoors, you probably don’t consider this a job where you would get any sort of formal education. But, did you know there are educational programs, such as Montana-based MCA, that offer a variety of degree programs to prepare you to work in the construction industry?
If you are considering a path where you would need more schooling or training, give some careful thought as to whether you are up for the additional time and expense, and whether you feel a fair degree of certainty this is the direction in which you want to go.
Nothing is Forever
You may feel some pressure to find the perfect job now that will carry you through straight to retirement. You feel you must find your perfect career right now. Understandable, but don’t put so much pressure on yourself.
While you don’t want to just jump into any line of work, you also don’t want to feel the need to make any permanent decisions. You can always change jobs later. No experience is ever wasted, so don’t view switching careers as some sort of failure.
