How to Choose a Career Path

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Picking a job that complements your interests and skills
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Whether you’re finishing up your education and are ready to venture into the real world or have been working in a certain field for a while and want to try something new, deciding on a career path can seem overwhelming. However, with a little self-exploration and some research, you can easily choose a career that will leave you feeling fulfilled.

Things You Should Know

  • Make a list of your skills, interests, and passions to figure out how you want to spend your time. Also, consider what it is you want to be known for after you retire.
  • Take a career aptitude test to discover jobs that might be right for you. Then research the responsibilities and day-to-day routines of those jobs.
  • Bolster your resume with internships, education, or volunteer gigs. Then, apply for jobs you're interested in, and ask plenty of questions about the work while you're there.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Evaluating Your Skills and Interests

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  1. Take some time to really think through the things you are good at. Consider things like physical skills, practical tasks, and creative work. Perhaps you are a great artist, a whiz with numbers, an excellent salesperson, or an all-star soccer player. Alternatively, you might have a thorough knowledge of historical events, manage your time efficiently, have strong spacial reasoning skills, be a great public speaker, or have a natural knack for technology. List every skill and strength you can think of.
    • If you’re struggling to determine your skills or strengths, ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their input.
  2. Now, think of what you enjoy doing, which may not be the same things that you are good at, and add them to the list. For instance, you might enjoy spending time in nature, attending parties, studying other cultures, putting together model planes, hosting fundraisers, or traveling around the world. Or, you might like to read, listen to music, swim, conduct science experiments, play with animals, cook or bake, ride a motorcycle, volunteer, make craft projects, clean, go fishing, or create sculptures. [1]
    • In order to land a job you enjoy doing, choose something that you enjoy and are also good at.
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  3. Look ahead to the future and think about what you’d like your life’s work to be. It’s okay if you don’t know right away; spend some time thinking it over. Perhaps you want to build an empire, make a difference in children’s lives, create a new piece of technology, develop sustainable living practices, or bring joy to the elderly. Determining what you want to be known for will help you determine what career path to take. [2]
    • Think about how the job will affect you as you age. For instance, if the job requires intense physical labor, it may be difficult to sustain when you get older.
  4. It’s common to feel pressure from your family members, friends, teachers, and society to follow a certain path. And while doing so might make them happy, it probably won’t make you happy. Let go of other people’s expectations of you and think about what you truly want to do. Choosing a career path should be a personal decision based on a thorough knowledge of your own strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. [3]
    • For instance, if your father expects you to take over the family litigation firm, but you’d rather be a high school teacher than a lawyer, follow your heart. Though he may be upset at first, seeing you do something you love will help him see that a career in litigation wasn’t the right choice for you.
  5. and take a career aptitude test. There are dozens of career aptitude tests online that ask a series of questions formulated to find out what kind of work would suit you the best. These tests analyze your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and personality to help you narrow down your career choice. Do an Internet search for “career aptitude tests” and take several so you can compare the results.
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Part 2
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Narrowing Your Options

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  1. A field of work is far more than a single job—it is an area in which many jobs or trades are possible! Once you have an idea of what field you want to work in, consider all the options within that field. For instance, if you want to work in healthcare, you could be a nurse or a doctor, of course, but you could also schedule appointments for patients, work in medical billing, or manage a physician’s office.
    • Or, if you study law, you may want to be a lawyer for a large law firm or a non-profit organization, or even write corporate compliance manuals.
    • If you study computer science, you could consider working in retail tech support or becoming a CTO.
  2. While certain jobs may sound amazing in theory, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Find out the day-to-day responsibilities for several jobs within the field to help you narrow down your options. [4] Go to the National Career Service website to peruse job profiles for more than 800 positions. Think about whether you can picture yourself completing the tasks happily or if the work seems overwhelming or misaligned with your vision of a new career.
    • For instance, you may absolutely love animals, but if you’re squeamish about blood or needles, becoming a veterinary technician may not be right for you. However, a dog walker or pet groomer may be a better fit.
  3. It’s important to choose a career that fits with your temperament and personality. [5] Think about whether you enjoy interacting with other people and if you work better alone or in a group setting. Also, consider if you are a great leader or take direction well, and whether you enjoy planning things or like to go with the flow. You should also think how well you manage time, if you are detail-oriented or focus on the big picture, and if you enjoy coming up with new ideas.
    • For instance, if you want to work with technology but don’t enjoy being around other people or interacting with strangers, you could choose to work in development rather than marketing.
  4. Many skillsets translate to multiple fields or opportunities. Consider whether your education or experience will allow you to work in a related field. For instance, many teachers have a thorough understanding of the English language, and therefore make excellent editors and publishers.
    • Alternatively, if you’re super athletic and love sports, perhaps you would do well as a coach, a manager, or an announcer.
  5. One of the best ways to find out if a job is right for you is to actually work it! By signing up for an internship or apprenticeship, you’ll get to see what the day-to-day experience in a certain field is like. You’ll also make connections and meet other people in the industry. Do an online search to find internships or apprenticeships in the field you want to work in.
    • Tap into your network and see if you have friends or family that work in the field. They may be able to help you find an internship, apprenticeship, or volunteer opportunity.
  6. Although you’ll want to have a financially secure future, the expected income shouldn’t be the only determining factor in your decision. Feel free to research potential incomes for a variety of jobs, but aim to choose one that you feel is the best fit for you, rather than simply picking the one where you’ll make the most money. This will lead to you a fulfilling career.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Taking the Next Steps

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  1. Speak to people that work in the industry to find out what kinds of backgrounds they have. You can also research minimum requirements for the kinds of jobs you hope to have. Once you know what is required, you can then work on becoming qualified for your new career.
    • For instance, if you want to work as a registered nurse, you’ll need to take classes, complete clinicals, and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
  2. Many positions may require a specific certification, license, or degree. If your heart is set on a certain job, but you don’t meet the requirements, take steps to become qualified. Do an online search for classes near you that will help you meet these goals. You can even work part-time while continuing your education in the evenings, if necessary. [6]
  3. Once you begin finding jobs that interest you, apply for each position and submit a resume that details your education, experience, and relevant skills. Include a tailored cover letter with each application that explains why you’re interested in the position and how you will add something to the team or company. Make sure all your documents are neat, clean, and free from errors.
  4. A career will be most fulfilling if the company’s values mirror your own. Think about what types of things are really important to you, and what types of things you’d be willing to compromise on. You may want to work with a company that is devoted to living a sustainable lifestyle, developing quality products, or helping people in need. [7]
    • For instance, if you’re a strict vegan because you believe eating meat is cruel, it would be better to take a job as an accountant for a clothing company than a butcher shop.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I know what I should do with my life?
    Lauren Krasny
    Career Coach
    Lauren Krasny is a Leadership and Executive Coach and the Founder of Reignite Coaching, her professional and personal coaching service based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She also currently coaches for the LEAD Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and is a former Digital Health Coach for Omada Health and Modern Health. Lauren received her coaching training from the Coach Training Institute (CTI). She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan.
    Lauren Krasny
    Career Coach
    Expert Answer
    You may find it helpful to come up with a list of things you absolutely do not want to do for a job, such as constant traveling or working long or uncertain hours. These non-negotiables can help you decide between different jobs.
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  • Question
    How do you get through a hard work day?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Ask yourself what makes the career a dream? If it isn't your dream then it may not be for you. While others may admire your position, if you're unfulfilled you may want to explore other options. Ask yourself what you don't like about the job and what can improve it. If there are opportunities to make your job more worthwhile, talk to your manager about taking on new tasks, transferring to a new role or other opportunities within your organization. If you are simply disenchanted with your work industry altogether, begin researching things that are of interest to you and see if you are qualified to assume roles within that industry. You can also seek the help of a career coach to assist you in discovering your dream job and equip yourself with the tools to pursue it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do I become a journalist with no experience?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Practice your writing skills and consider taking a course if you haven't. Any formal education can be particularly useful to assist you in obtaining the skills needed to confidently achieve this goal. Beginning a blog or providing reviews for products and services. Network with anyone that can assist you.
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      Tips

      • When searching for your job in the field of your choice, always be sure to find out as much as possible about your potential bosses to make sure you will be happy to work with them. An interview is a 2-way process.
        Thanks
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      • Go through a university course catalog of a school your respect. Circle all items that interest you. Categorize your choices and see if there is a trend towards an education path that resembles your interests.
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        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
      • Joining a professional association in the field that interests you will give you great opportunities to network by joining in online discussions, attending in-person meetings, or reading the organization's newsletter or journal.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Find a career you're passionate about. Take some time to reflect on your goals, dreams, and values. When you're passionate about a job, it may not feel like one right away. Sometimes, it takes time for a job to grow on you enough that you realize it's the right career for you.
      • Although it may be tempting to have someone else pick your careers for you, you must make the final decision. Trust your own judgement above anyone else's, and listen to your heart.
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      • Before choosing a career, think very carefully and seek advice from people who have graduated in what you want to study, who know the career well and are practicing it, so that you have a clearer picture.
      • Many careers cost a lot of money. If you like a career but find that paying for it is out of your budget, you may want to consider:
        • Asking family members for help.
        • Choosing scholarships. But you will be asked to meet certain requirements.
        • An educational credit.
        • Working and study at the same time (if your schedule allows).
        • Choosing another less expensive career. But in many cases, it may be something you don't like.
        • Just stopping studying and get to work.

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      References

      1. ↑ Lauren Krasny. Career Coach. Expert Interview. 27 March 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2013/11/01/9-questions-thatll-help-you-find-your-dream-career/#289b3d7853d9
      3. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/education/edlife/four-steps-to-choosing-a-career-path.html
      4. ↑ Lauren Krasny. Career Coach. Expert Interview. 27 March 2020.
      5. ↑ Lauren Krasny. Career Coach. Expert Interview. 27 March 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/finding-the-right-career.htm
      7. ↑ https://hbr.org/2013/04/the-key-to-choosing-the-right

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To decide on a career path, start by making a list of all your skills, interests, and aspirations. Then, choose a broad field to work in based on your strengths and goals. Research various jobs within the field, then match your personal qualities with the day-to-day responsibilities of several jobs to narrow down the possibilities. For help determining what you like and transforming that into a real-world job, read on!

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