Posted April 19th, 2016
By Kris Powers
My college freshman was home this weekend, panicked that he had not yet decided on his exact major. The question of "what do I want to do the rest of my life?" is weighing heavy on his mind. The truth is that many students change majors or areas of study during their schooling; sometimes multiple times! And some of us don't know exactly what we want to do until we have entered the workforce and experienced what we DON'T want to do. Others of us make career changes mid-stride, as we discover new passions or avenues we want to pursue.
While the field of work you choose is important and can determine where you may spend a good deal of your working life, the education and training you receive also opens you up to other opportunities should you decide to branch out and use your skills in connected occupations. The plethora of courses available online and in person allows us to obtain training and pursue new careers at any stage of our life. I counseled my son that perhaps, instead of choosing one job at this particular time, he take a step back and do some self-assessment.
You may also find it helpful to run through these career step exercises every once in awhile. Whether or not you are just beginning your training; it's helpful to take the time to assess goals, interests, strengths as well as the areas of opportunity available for enhancing current skill sets.
1. Determine what you like to do. What sorts of things interest you, excite you and make you want to learn more about them? For example, do you like:
- Working with Children
- Working with the Elderly
- Spending time outdoors
- Being around Animals
- Helping others
- Design and style
- Creative endeavors like photography
- Cooking
- Planning events or parties
- Marketing and social media
- Computers
2. Take a good look at your personality. Would you say you are more introverted or extroverted? Good with your hands? A problem solver? Artistic? A self-starter? Don’t hesitate to ask others what they feel are your strengths or what they perceive as your weaknesses. Ask them what type of work they feel you might be suited for. Who knows? They may reinforce what you were already thinking or they may suggest a new career path that is of interest to you.
3. What skills do you need to do the things you enjoy? What skills do you already possess? For instance, do you have an empathetic nature that lets you relate to older individuals? What skills are you lacking or do you need to brush up on? Start a list and keep adding to it.
4. Take a broad brush stroke and consider related fields. Someone who enjoys cooking may find that they are also interested in managing a kitchen, or being in charge of the catering department in a restaurant. Or they might be able to parlay that interest into a career in event planning. Be open to possibility. Sometimes your career path might not be a straight path. The forks in the road may take you in new directions if you let them!
5. Explore what certifications or degrees are necessary to get into the fields that are of interest. Talk to school counselors or do some research online.
6. Consider volunteering your time at a company or with individuals that work in the fields that interest you to get a feel for the job. Some professionals will allow you to shadow them for a few days or longer. There’s no better way to dive into the job to see if it’s something that will hold your interest! It’s also a fantastic way to network and build relationships for the future.
Remember, the field in which you obtain your training does not always determine your career. Professionals use their education in a variety of fields. Whether you are just beginning your training, or have been working for some time; take some time and research possible career paths.
Ed4Career offers over 800 online courses in distinct areas of online education including career training, information technology, professional development, personal enrichment and behavioral health training. Scroll through our course catalog and discover the courses you need to pursue a fulfilling career in a field of your choice!
