10 IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A CAREER FIELD.

10 IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A CAREER FIELD.

There are many ways to define career and the term is used in various ways.

A Career can be defined as individual's metaphorical "journey" through a person's learning, work, and other aspects. 

The word "career" is often used as a synonym for occupation, trade, profession, or vocation. This definition refers to what a person does to earn a living. There are thousands of careers. They range from those that require extensive education and training to others for which you need hardly any preparation. Examples are the engineer, carpenter, doctor, veterinary assistant, cashier, teacher, and hairstylist.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a career, whether it is your first job or you are in the middle of changing careers. When choosing a career path it helps to take stock of what you have to offer the world, while understanding what the world is willing to pay you.

This article will help by giving you ten important factors that shouldn’t be ignored. Keep these factors in mind as you’re choosing your next career path. If you do, you’re likely to feel better about the career you choose for yourself.

(1.)  DISCOVER YOURSELF

Before you choose a career path, you ought to discover yourself. That is discovered your innate abilities, motives, and values related to your work choices.

Ask yourself a question, what are you good at? Measure the pros and cons of your decisions. There are motivators, to help you better understand what is uncompromisingly imperative in your career. You should note that money is not one of the motivators.

(2.)  YOUR HAPPINESS

It may sound cliché, but the number one thing that you should consider when choosing a career is your own happiness. Don’t be pressured into becoming an accountant if you hate numbers just because you think it’s the right thing to do; instead, pursue something you’re truly interested in.

(3.) EVALUATE YOUR SKILLS

Everyone has unique talents that can be used in a career of some type. For many, these talents have been present since childhood; for others, they are learned over time. Skills can be broken down into types and matched up with specific career paths. In order to determine what career you should choose, begin by looking at skills that can be used on the job or look at career paths that compliment your current skills and talents

(4.)   YOUR PASSIONS

Once you have figured out what your skills are, take some stock of what you love doing. Your goal should be to find a career in an area that you love that also puts your skills to good use. For example, if you enjoy looking at buildings and are good at mathematics, your dream career could be in structural engineering. When you do this, keep in mind the saying that "If you follow your passion, the money will follow." In other words, it is possible to do what you love and have enough money to be happy.

(5.)   YOUR EXPERIENCES

The two best types of research you can do when considering a career are talking to as many people in your chosen field as possible and getting as much experience as you can. Talking to people is usually a simple matter of booking informational interviews, asking a few good questions and listening carefully.

(6.)  AVAILABILITY OF JOBS

When choosing a career, a big factor is how many jobs will be available at certain levels. If you are a new graduate or are trying to switch careers mid-life, this can be a determining factor as to what type of work you settle on. Local industries can play a large part in what work people do, so if you are looking for something that is outside of available work, you can expect to have to relocate to find a job.

(7.)    TRAINING AND EDUCATION

In order to land certain careers, an industry expected level of training and education is a general requirement. That means for each job type, you will need to attain a certain degree or level of experience before you can begin work in that area. Be sure to choose a training program that is within your means to achieve to avoid setting yourself up for failure.

(8.)   YOUR WORK STYLE

Each individual has his or her own unique work style. Some enjoy deadlines and structure, while others thrive with little guidance or management. Make sure the career path that you choose is conducive to the environment in which you do best.

(9.)  NARROW DOWN YOUR LIST

Eliminate careers that no longer interest you after thoroughly reviewing each one. Many people become dissuaded from pursuing a career after learning about education requirements, annual earnings, and declining industry growth. Once you've become acquainted with each career, narrow your list to 1-2 options.

(10.)  What is the culture like?

Will you feel like just another cog in the wheel or will your contributions be recognized–encouraged even? Are there layers of bureaucracy seeded throughout? Is this a fast-paced industry that is more concerned with the bottom line? Are there industry perks available that encourage performance and contribute to morale? By looking before you leap, you can make an informed career decision that will serve you well in the long run.