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When you ask children what they want to be when they grow up, most of them express their wish to become a princess, a superhero, or another fantasy character. As they grow up, their dreams start to get more realistic: a school-aged child will probably say that he or she wants to become a doctor, engineer, pilot, astronaut, football player, or whatever fascinates them.
After finishing school or college, you need to be more specific about the career path you want to choose. There are countless career options, and it can be difficult to choose one. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to decide which career path is the right one for you.
1. What do I like to do?
It is always a good idea to choose a career path that interests you. If you are not passionate about the area, you will lose interest in the job. Once you stop enjoying your work, you won’t be able to go far. Your career will come to a halt after some time and you will likely have to switch careers. So, always try to pursue your interests and things that you like to do. For example, if you like fixing car parts or dealing with electrical wires then you should consider becoming a mechanic or an engineer.
There are countless career options, and it can be difficult to choose one. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to decide which career path is the right one for you.Click To Tweet2. What are my strengths?
On the other hand, just because you like doing something doesn’t mean that you will be good at it. If you want to be an engineer, for example, you need to be good at maths. But if you have constantly performed poorly in this subject throughout your academic career, then engineering is probably not a good fit for you. If you are good at photography, on the other hand, you should think of pursuing a career in that direction. Sometimes, you may not realize your strengths, but others may notice them. So ask your friends and family where they think your strengths lie!
3. What education or training is required?
Getting into a good university can be difficult, not to mention involving expensive fees. Some institutions may give you a scholarship if you have good grades, but these are very competitive. You should be prepared to pay your full tuition fee. Just getting a degree may not be enough. You may have to attend further training programs. You must find out whether you have sufficient funds for all the education and training you need to pursue your career.
Being a doctor, for example, requires years of commitment to studies and training. It is expensive as well. On the other hand, not all professions require you to go to university, but may rely on other forms of training instead. For example, if you want to become a gas engineer, you will need to do gas engineer training courses to get hands-on training.
4. Where do I want to live?
The career you choose will also dictate where you live. So, what type of environment do you like: do you enjoy city life or prefer the countryside? If you enjoy living in the country then you should choose a career that is fit for that environment. On the other hand, if you enjoy moving around and visiting different places, then you can choose a career in the tourism sector. Corporate jobs are best suited for those who like living in cities.
5. What kind of lifestyle do I want?
Do you want to work most of the time or you like having a good work-life balance? Do you like traveling a lot or would you prefer to stay in one place all the time? Do you want to work 9 to 5 or you want a more flexible option like work from home? The kind of lifestyle you have will largely be determined by your work. So, choose a career path accordingly.
6. Am I an introvert or an extrovert?
Your personality will have a lot of impact on your career. If you are good at public speaking, for example, then you will be good at leadership roles. If you are not good at teamwork and introvert in nature then you may be best to choose a career that doesn’t require much interaction with your colleagues and is more individually orientated.
7. Where do I want to be in the future?
Finally, it is important to consider the long term projection of the career path you choose. With the advancement of technology, many jobs may become obsolete in the future. It is therefore important to consider which career paths have the best prospects so that you don’t have to fear losing your job in the future.
By answering these questions you can determine your ideal career path and find a career that will be satisfying both emotionally and financially. That way you will be able to enjoy what you do and won’t think of your job as only a duty. This will not only make you happier, but this positive attitude will help you to progress further in your career.
