Tips On Choosing A Career

Tips On Choosing A Career

by Kate Cinnamo | January 30, 2020 | Career Opportunity Job Security Skilled Trades | 0 Comments

If you’re in high school right now, you’ll have to work until you’re 67 years old before  being fully entitled to your Social Security retirement benefits. It means you’ll be working for 50 years or maybe even more.

Deciding on a career and your next level of education has never been more important than it is now. Not only because of how long you’ll be in that career, but because of the growing cost of a college education. It’s increased more than 538 percent since 1985. You can make a choice and then change your mind, but here are some tips to help you with your decision.

What’s Your Work Style?

Certain work styles go better with different careers. Do you tend to procrastinate or put things off? Being your own boss might not be a good idea. A career where you work with others and report to a manager might be a better choice.

What are You Good At?

People might tell you that being good at video games is not something that can help you decide on a career, but dig a little deeper. What about those video games do you really enjoy? And, what parts of the game are you really good at?,

Creative problem solving and decision making are extremely important skills for a variety of careers and industries.

What are Your Values?

There’s been a huge change in the way generations think about jobs. While it’s important to choose a career that will pay you well and offer advancement, it’s even more important to look for a career that makes you feel as if you are making contributions that matter. Working in an industry that doesn’t align with your personal beliefs won’t be satisfying, no matter how well it pays you.

This also means that you’ll have to spend some time thinking about your personal goals and the goals that others may have planned for you. Your parents and friends will have recommendations about careers. It’s wise to listen to their reasons for these recommendations, but remember that you are the one who has to find satisfaction.

What are Your Opportunities?

A college education is not the only path that offers well-paying jobs and career satisfaction. There are many careers that don’t require a four-year college education, but which pay as if they do. For example, the average salary of seasoned professionals in the trades – plumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians – can be more than $156,000 a year.

The job growth outlook in these industries is 14 percent for the next # of years, which is twice as much as other industries. There are scholarships available for the trade and technical schools that prepare you for these jobs, as well. Download free career path information.