How Do You Choose A Career?

Most people have the mindset that they will someday choose a career and then follow that path and see where it takes them. However, in this day and age choosing a career is not very simple and many people end up on a road that they never expected to take. Unfortunately, for many that road can include a lot of twists and turns and bumps and potholes, including unemployment. Being unemployed or under-employed is a tough predicament to be in, and it’s one that most people don’t expect to go through. This is especially true for recent college graduates, most of who figure they will get a job right out of college and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Unfortunately, this is not how things always work.

Find Your Passion and Stick to it
Therefore, it has become increasingly important to learn how to choose a career. I want to talk about some important factors in choosing your career. Being the father of seven kids and having watched several of them graduate from college I have advised them to always fall back on what their passion in life is. I tell them to focus on what they enjoy doing and encourage them to visualize where they want to be in the next three to five years. So these are some of the key things to consider if you are in the process of choosing your career.

First, remember that it’s not always about the money, but it’s also about choosing a career path that will provide you the balance in life to be able to accomplish the things you desire to do.
Next, you should consider your personal growth and ask yourself if a certain career will challenge your abilities and will it cause you to grow?
Your career should also be something that you excel at. You choose something you do well and something that matches your strengths.
While money is not everything is important so consider your financial concerns and make sure you choose something that will provide for you and your family. You also have to consider how much schooling will cost and how much debt you will be able to handle. You do need to choose a career that will sustain the type of lifestyle that you desire.
What Do You Enjoy?
These are all important factors, but the bottom line is to choose something you really enjoy. If you are going to be spending much of your life in one career then you need to be sure that the career is built on a foundation that interests you. For many young people determining what their passions are is not always easy. It might take some time to discover what you are passionate about in life. In addition, some people start new jobs in the career path they’ve chosen only to discover that they aren’t really happy with their choice. If you are in this situation, don’t worry. It’s not uncommon for people to change careers a few times, especially when they are younger and just starting out. At the end of the day, ask yourself: “what have I learned from the path I’ve traveled, what has it brought to me so far and do I want to continue on this path?” Lastly, ask yourself “will it lead me to the places I want to go in life?”