Choosing a career path, at times, may seem like a giant leap to some future college students — one that can appear daunting and overwhelming. Students can figure out which direction to take by answering simple questions.
Let’s look at the 10 biggest things to keep in my mind when looking past college to enter the real world.
Choosing a fulfilling career that aligns with your innate strengths, interests, and values can feel like an elusive quest. With countless options and pathways, narrowing down what you want to do long-term can seem overwhelming.
However, taking purposeful steps to gain self-awareness, explore possibilities, and expand your skillset can bring you closer to landing your dream job. Follow these 8 proven strategies:
1. Take Career Assessment Tests
Career aptitude and personality tests help identify well-suited roles based on your natural tendencies. While not definitive, they provide objective insight into how your inclinations translate into careers.
Tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory are trusted resources for uncovering suitable career paths The results can illuminate new possibilities you may have never considered
2. Perform Informational Interviews
Speaking directly with professionals working in careers of interest provides inside perspectives you can’t glean online
Reach out to your network for introductions to people who can share insights on their day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, highlights, and qualifications needed to break in. Come prepared with thoughtful questions.
3. Attend Industry Events
Look for local networking events, trade shows, conferences, and seminars related to your target industry or role. These provide a chance to meet potential mentors and employers in person and ask candid questions in a casual environment.
Show up open-minded and curious. Collect business cards and follow up with people who left positive impressions to strengthen connections.
4. Seek Out Job Shadowing Opportunities
Job shadowing involves following an employee through their typical work day to view their responsibilities first-hand. This gives invaluable exposure before pursuing a career.
Many companies allow job shadowing if you demonstrate professionalism and arrange it in advance. Or leverage personal connections to gain access.
5. Volunteer or Freelance
Apply to volunteer or take on freelance gigs at organizations tied to your career ambitions. This allows you to try out real projects and workflows in that field without fully committing.
Non-profits and startups are often eager for skilled volunteers. Build up relevant experience while expanding your network.
6. Enroll in Classes or Training Programs
Sign up for a class or training program that builds in-demand skills for your target career. This shows initiative while expanding your capabilities.
Community colleges, online learning platforms, adult education centers, and professional associations offer specialized courses for all levels.
7. Create Sample Work Portfolios
Build a portfolio of mock projects or sample work showcasing abilities critical for your desired career. This could include writing samples, design prototypes, analytical reports, photography, websites – anything tangible.
Portfolios demonstrate skills beyond just claiming them on your resume. They also reveal passion for the field.
8. Connect with Industry Leaders on LinkedIn
Beyond job searching, leverage LinkedIn to build relationships with leaders in your target companies or industry. Share their content, compliment accomplishments, and ask thoughtful questions.
When they know you’re interested, insightful professionals will often provide helpful career advice or referrals.
9. Pursue Higher Education or Advanced Certifications
Depending on your target field, pursuing a professional certificate, specialized master’s degree, or advanced designation like the CFA demonstrates focused commitment.
Higher qualifications open more doors, boost starting salaries, and earn respect from hiring managers. Just ensure the return on investment merits any tuition costs.
10. Start a Related Side Hustle
Launching a side business allows you to preview your dream career and build relevant experience on your schedule. Offer services like consulting, freelancing, tutoring, or handcrafting products.
Succeeding here proves you can take initiative and working for yourself is viable. It builds your confidence and capabilities.
Stay persistent yet flexible. With strategic planning and consistent effort over time, you can progress along the path to landing your dream job and achieving career fulfillment.
Here are a few final tips to maintain motivation during your career journey:
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Set milestones and deadlines – Break down big goals into incremental steps with target dates. This creates accountability and urgency.
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Enlist support – Share your aspirations with cheerleaders who will encourage you and hold you accountable. Their belief boosts confidence.
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Track progress – Celebrate small wins. Visible evidence of progress, however minor, provides a sense of momentum.
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Manage expectations – Recognize missteps and changes in plans are inevitable. Focus on your why rather than attaching to one particular role.
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Take action daily – Sustain forward motion by taking one step every single day toward your goals, even if small. Progress compounds.
With concerted effort over time, you can forge a career that aligns with your authentic self – not just one that looks good on paper. Use these strategies to explore options, gain relevant experience, and demonstrate your commitment to landing the job you really want. Take it step by step and remain resilient through ups and downs. Your dream career is closer than you think!
Your educational costs and training
Simply put, no two occupations are the same when it comes to the amount of education and training needed. Some require graduate school. Some require internships. Some professions, such as becoming a doctor, require logging in a certain number of hours as a resident.
As you continue to whittle down your list of possible occupations, know how much schooling and training will be necessary for you to obtain a certain profession. That will help you begin to create a rough timeline in your mind of when you can go from student to practitioner — and determine the possible costs of those educational paths as you start planning for college and managing your finances. The Occupational Outlook Handbook’s “Field of Degree” page is a great starting point.
Your potential salary
You have a list of possible occupations. Great! It is now time to get an idea of what the salary ranges of those possible careers could be — because rent and bills will not pay themselves. A good starting point is the “Salary Range” filter under the “Explore Occupations tab” on NCCareers.org.
For a more in-depth look at current and previous salaries for given occupations, try other online resources such as Salary.com, Glassdoor, or PayScale. Write down the given salary ranges of each position — and search by the desired location of where you want to live — to get a better feel for how much certain professions pay in relation to the overall cost of living in that particular region of the country.
How to Find a Career You Genuinely Love
What should I consider before choosing a career?
Here are seven considerations you need to make before choosing a career: 1. Your skills Having the right soft and hard skills for your work helps you feel confident performing tasks on the job. Examine your current skill set and think about what you might need to learn.
What do you want as a career?
The first step in figuring out what you want as a career is assessing your values, personality, skills, and interests. These characteristics will invariably impact whether or not you’re likely to enjoy a particular occupation and be successful at it. Self-assessment comes in many forms, such as: Take a skills assessment.
How do I choose a career path?
Perform a self-assessment. Identify your must-haves. Make a list of jobs to explore. Research jobs and employers. Get training (if you need it) and update your resume. Find and apply for jobs. Continue growing and learning. Selecting a career path can take weeks, months or even years as you continue learning what you want and need in a job.
How do I choose a career first?
The average person spends around one-third of their life working, so it’s no surprise that many people want to find a career that will be a good fit for them. Choosing a career first means learning as much as you can about yourself, your goals, and the larger context of work. Use the list below to help you begin that process. 1. Examine yourself.
