Everyone says it’s important to do what you love, but no-one teaches you how to do so.
Here’s a piece of specific advice: find your passion – but then again, HOW? An online “which career fits you best” quiz won’t be of much help for starters. Some recommend you go on an evaluation journey; you test your limits and see which road excites you. Still, choosing a respectable and excellent career isn’t all fun and games – after all, your future is on the line!
As a passionate high school student, you must spend every week pondering how you can plan your future before graduation. Indeed, the pressure is never-ending, and it is not practical because your desires and goals change over time. At this point, the best thing you can do is not to go insane and take some time on your hands to figure out what makes you roar.
You are young, which means your interests will probably keep changing. So why not consider a few options, then bumping into one option and sticking to it for the rest of your life? You can pick various paths, and you may learn new things in the process as well.
We feel for you and have decided to provide you with a few tips that’ll get the blood running through your veins and, in the end, leave you with enough brain to choose a career path.
Check out these before-hand exercises:
- Assess yourself:
Before you rush into the first thing that enlightens you, prefer to get some “me time.” What does that mean? It means; learn about yourself. Your soft skills, aptitudes, and interests, in combination with your persona type.
If you are concerned that you won’t be able to assess yourself thoroughly, don’t worry, there’s a cure for that too. You can use a few self-assessment tools or career tests to gain information about your characteristics. And, subsequently, create a list of all the occupations that seem like a good fit.
- Consider your weaknesses and strengths:
Some people tend to make a list of pros and cons related to any subject that gives a confusing vibe. Similarly, choosing a career is a daunting task; therefore, you can make a list of your top five weaknesses and strengths. What field will value your talent best? Suppose you are interested in discovering human personality. In that case, you can go for a bachelor of arts in psychology online and drown yourself in everything that makes us “human.” Or, if you are an efficient public speaker, for instance, explore what types of careers require that skill.
Furthermore, your weaknesses can also tell you something about yourself. The upside to making a list of “weaknesses” is that it’ll give you the mind to walk away from something you aren’t good at completely.
- Think about what you love:
What subjects make you want to sit in class for hours? What activities and topics inspire you and keep you so absorbed that you forget to look at your wristwatch? Making a list of all the things that you love can also help you choose a career.
Can you connect the dots between the elements on your list? A series of arts, some social activities, or technology can help you discover your passion.
- Never limit yourself to one option:
Sure, making a list of options is an excellent way to begin your journey, but what about the fields you didn’t add to your list, only because you feel like you will never make it there. Disbelief kills most of our dreams. That said, don’t limit yourself. Have faith in what you know because there’s a good chance you can learn something new along the way. Additionally, you can gain new skills from school as well, so keep adding these skills to your resume, and you will find something that will never bore you.
- Identify your goals:
During the process of making a decision, identify your short- and long-term goals. It helps to craft a course towards landing work in your preferred field. Long-term goals require at least three to five years to achieve, whereas short-term plans can get fulfilled within a few months.
So let the research you did regarding training and education be your guide. Once you have all the information, set your goals. The best example of a long-term goal would be to finish school. Short-term goals include applying to some internships and other training programs.
- Review your previous experience:
If you’ve done a few roles in the job industry before, that’s great. Just identify the trends in your previous designations, such as prioritizing a specific technical skill.
Furthermore, some high school students have a soft spot for police work as well. But how do you become a police officer? Police work requires training, and after that, you have to pass the POST exam and get a license. It’s not that difficult; if you are determined, nothing can stop you.
- Explore careers:
What do archaeologists or actuaries do? Will art directors or architects have enough opportunities in the future to make a living? Image yourself in multiple roles as you explore careers. You can easily find information on more than 200 occupations on the web, ranging from a traffic supervisor to a wildlife technician.
Conclusion:
Yes, this appears to be much work, but look at the bright side; you won’t have to regret anything in the future. It is much easier to forge a career choice when you know what you want. Considering these steps will save you from many uncertainties and struggle in the long run.
So what are you waiting for? Start by taking steps, and eventually, you will get there!