Patricia
As many as 99 percent of working professionals have said they made the wrong career choice.
There are several reasons one might feel they aren’t in the right career, but the fact is there are consequences for being in the wrong career. Being in a career that doesn’t suit you, or that you don’t enjoy, will lead to burnout, poor job satisfaction, and even depression.
If you’re in a position where you need to make a career choice, it’s crucial that you get it right. Of course, you can always switch careers down the road, but it’s not that easy.
We’re here with practical advice on choosing a career path you won’t regret. Keep reading!
1. Your Passion and Interests
What’s the difference between a person who wakes up and goes to work with a smile and one who is ever frowny when going to work? More often than not, you’ll find that the former is in a job they’re passionate about.
Of course, it’s not always possible to pursue a job that aligns with your passion and interests. For example, you might love everything about flying and would mind a career as a pilot, but the high cost of pilot training can price you out of the career path.
However, as much as possible, try to find a career that fires up your passions. If you love flying and can’t be a pilot, you can still find many suitable paths in the airline industry. You can become a flight attendant or air traffic controller, for example.
2. Education Level Required
There are careers you can pursue with just a high school diploma. There are others that require apprenticeship or vocational training. And there are those you can’t pursue if you didn’t graduate with at least an associate’s degree.
Considering the level of professional training required before picking a career is important for two reasons. One, you’ll know how much time to commit, and two, how much money you’ll spend.
Becoming an alcohol and drug counselor, for example, requires a master’s degree in some states. Do you have the patience and book smarts to go that far? On that note, learn more about this career and decide if it’s a good fit for you.
If you’re looking to get started in a career as quickly as possible, you might need something that doesn’t require more than two years of training.
The length of training is directly related to the cost of education. If you come from a financially unstable background and don’t want to rely too much on student loans, you may want to avoid careers that require high levels of education. That being said, don’t let finances stop you from pursuing your passion. If school counseling is your calling, there are plenty of affordable online masters in school counseling programs available to help you achieve your dreams.
3. Job Prospects
Nobody wants to spend several weeks or months looking for a job. Yet, that’s what’s likely to happen if you pursue a career without looking at its employment outlook.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics provides employment forecasts for most professions in the U.S. Consult it and you’ll learn what your preferred career’s prospects look like for the next 10 years.
Ideally, you want to settle on a career that’s in demand and with competitive salaries.
Make an Informed Career Choice
Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. You cannot afford to get it wrong. You may not get many chances to switch careers later on in life.
Thankfully, having read this you’re now in a better position to make a sound career choice.
Look around our blog for more informative content on education, health, business, and other topics.
