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how should I choose my career path?
based on what I may be interested in
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Faleisha’s Answer
Hello!
This is a great question! As a professional with many years of experience in education and working in different fields, the best advice I can give is explore, explore, explore. I have spent many years off/on in college and learning other vocational trades in between until I graduated which helped make me a very well rounded and experienced professional. So if there is a career that interests you explore it and the first step is to do as much research on it as possible. This is the time where you get to have fun being nosy regarding the career path you may be interested in pursuing. And remember, it is better to know more about what opportunities are out there for you to explore in a career than less. That is what will make you more marketable above other job competitors who may not have skills that can be transferred to another position, if needed. I hope that helps! And please feel free to ask any questions regarding career exploration.
Best,
Faleisha
This is a great question! As a professional with many years of experience in education and working in different fields, the best advice I can give is explore, explore, explore. I have spent many years off/on in college and learning other vocational trades in between until I graduated which helped make me a very well rounded and experienced professional. So if there is a career that interests you explore it and the first step is to do as much research on it as possible. This is the time where you get to have fun being nosy regarding the career path you may be interested in pursuing. And remember, it is better to know more about what opportunities are out there for you to explore in a career than less. That is what will make you more marketable above other job competitors who may not have skills that can be transferred to another position, if needed. I hope that helps! And please feel free to ask any questions regarding career exploration.
Best,
Faleisha
Updated
Malisa’s Answer
Feline - Choosing a career path is a personal journey to fulfillment. There is no one right way or time to do it. You can change careers at any time in your life, as long as you are willing to explore, learn, and grow. I have listed some steps that might help you find a career that suits your interests, skills, and values. Choosing a career path is a personal journey that requires exploration, research, and experimentation. By following these steps, you can find a career that matches your interests, skills, and values, and that brings you joy and satisfaction. Remember that your career is not a destination, but a journey, and that you can always learn, grow, and change along the way.
Make a list of jobs that interest you Think about the kinds of activities, topics, and fields that you enjoy or are curious about. Write down as many jobs as you can think of that relate to your interests. Don't worry about how realistic or practical they are at this stage. Just brainstorm and have fun.
Make a list of what you like to do and what you are good at Next, write down a comprehensive list of your strengths, talents, hobbies, passions, and values. What are the things that you excel at or enjoy doing? What are the things that make you happy or fulfilled? What are the things that matter to you or motivate you? Try to be as specific and honest as possible.
Cross-reference your lists and narrow down your options Now, compare your two lists and see what jobs match up with your likes and abilities. You might find some obvious connections, such as if you love animals and are good at science, you might consider becoming a veterinarian. You might also find some surprising connections, such as if you love music and are good at math, you might consider becoming a music producer. Eliminate the jobs that don't appeal to you or don't align with your values. Rank the remaining jobs in order of preference and interest.
Research the jobs and the career paths Once you have a shortlist of potential careers, do some research on each one. Find out what the job entails, what the education and training requirements are, what the salary and outlook are, and what the pros and cons are. You can use online sources, such as career websites, job boards, and industry blogs, to gather information. You can also talk to people who work in those fields and ask them about their experiences, challenges, and advice. You can reach out to them through your network, social media, or professional associations.
Evaluate your options and make a decision After you have tried out some jobs and gained some insight, you can evaluate your options and make a decision. You can use a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) to compare the pros and cons of each career. You can also use a SMART goal (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) to set a realistic and actionable plan for pursuing your chosen career. Remember that your decision is not final and that you can always change your mind or direction if you find that your career is not fulfilling your needs or expectations.
Malisa recommends the following next steps: