How to choose a career...
I'm 20 years old and graduated high school two years ago. I intended to work for my first year out but plans changed.
I got married and had a child. Up until recently I've felt like my life is on hold. I would prefer a job that is home based
but I also want to plan for a career that will help my family and that will actually make me feel accomplished. I really love
to read and originally wanted to be an editor but could never find the information. Now I am thinking of accounting. I find
comfort in office settings. I dislike being very social so the idea of a cubical sounds wonderful.
I am simply asking for advice and guidance. #career #career-choice #career-path #career-plan
5 answers
Peter J.’s Answer
First off, congratulations on having a child. My daughter is the best thing that ever happened to me and I hope you experience the same joy with your child.
Think of your career as a 50-year adventure, or until you're 68 years old, when many people retire. You've already accomplished a lot during your first two years by having a child.
Now choosing the right education to get the career you want is a difficult task.There are many schools that will promise you a high paying job as long as you pay them money. They'll even provide you the easy loans. Think of these schools like car salesmen. Just as you would buy a car, pick a career that's proven. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a wonderful website describing thousands of different careers, the expectations for growth and the salary range:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#25-0000
I was a journalist for many rewarding years. But this is a very stressful field for relatively low pay. Being an accountant seems like a lot less stress for a much higher salary.
If after 10 years, you feel the first career path isn't working out, then you still have about 40 years in your work life and you can switch gears.
Ken’s Answer
Hi Rachel!
Here is some information about working in accounting:
http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2014/09/07/10-reasons-accounting-awesome/
Please get back to me regarding the results. I would like to help further if I can.
Gary’s Answer
Hi,
That is a great question, I think everyone asks themselves and others that questions many times in their life.
You will hear many different answers to this question and I will offer my advice and experience that will hopefully help you a little.
I think accounting, bookeeping, medical office billing, medical coding, editing and solitary careers like that will be good for you and you can do a lot of these careers at home working remotely...also anything there are a lot of IT/Technology jobs that can be done remotely or are cubicle based work. If you go to indeed dot com, and type in remote in the location area you will see a lot of remote/home based jobs. Also there are reputable website for home based/remote positions out there...just be careful of the scams. 2 of the good websites I personally know are reputable are virtualvocations dot com and flexjobs dot com.
Good luck!
Paul A Coulter
Paul A’s Answer
Hi Rachel P! Consider providing a bookkeeping service for small businesses. Pick a market. (Specializing in Dentists, Drs or veterinarians or retail stores or?) would be a way to get started working from your home. Accts payables, accts receivables, taxes local, state and fed and services to all employees of the firms you work for would add to your income. If you want to become a CPA that might be a further career move. Talk with some owners of bookkeeping services to see if what they do interests you. If people local won't help call some in other states. I personally know a Comptroller of a construction firm and several CPA's, so I'm sure some one you know knows someone similar to answer your questions about a bookkeeping job or service. Just starting - pick up the basics and get some jobs through temporary employment agencies. The point is choose the ideal circumstances, begin acquiring the skills and knowledge, let others know what you do by blogging "Ten Tips To Save Money On Your Taxes!", develop a website, get business cards and letterhead. Cost to much, check out fivrr dot com for expert help for $5 bucks. Have fun with this. My comptroller friend/client was working two jobs and raising a young son struggling as a single mom when we met. She presently is making a high 5 figure income working for a company, owns a portion of two businesses, 4 rental properties, has a real estate license and is extremely financially self reliant and only 46 years of age. The best on your journey. Inch by inch life is a cinch. Yard by yard only makes it hard. Making The Impossible Possible by William Strickland might be inspirational :-)