Finding a career path that suits your personality is important. After all, how many people do you know that complain they don’t enjoy their job? I know of several, and in most cases, those people were thrown into their careers because either it was the first thing that came along, or out of necessity.
I’m a firm believer in purposely choosing your career. While work may always seem like work, with the right choice it is entirely possible to enjoy yourself while performing your job. Feeling a sense of satisfaction at the end of your workday can lead to a greater sense of overall well-being.
How do you know what career field to enter? Only you know what path is right for you, and asking yourself a few questions will help lead you in the right direction. Answer these questions below to get you started.
Are you a people person? If you’re a hermit that breaks into a cold sweat anytime a stranger approaches, you probably don’t want to work in Human Resources. Likewise, if you thrive on constant contact, choosing a job that requires a lot of solitary work would leave you feeling bored and lonely.
What jobs are available in your area? Unless you’re willing to move where the jobs are, you need to take a good look around where you live. Are the jobs available in healthcare, technology, or teaching? Nursing is one career path you can follow anywhere right now, whereas many areas are cutting back on teaching positions.
What kind of salary do you want, or need, to earn? If you lead a fancy lifestyle, you’ll want something that pays well, perhaps in the computers industry. If the cost of living is relatively low where you live, your options are wider, and allow you to choose a path not based on salary alone.
Are you single, or married with kids? This may seem like a silly question to ask yourself. However, many positions will require working up to 7 days per week, 12 hours a day, or all sorts of weird schedules, which may or may not interfere with a positive and healthy family life. Consider your family’s needs.
Are you a night owl or morning person? Many jobs will require you to start on the night shift. Others start at the crack of dawn. My dad wakes up at 3 a.m. every morning to get to his job. If you’d rather be going to bed at that hour of the morning, consider carefully which career choice you’d like to make.
Lastly, take a good look at what you enjoy doing. What would you do if money was no option and you didn’t have to work? Scrapbook? Cook? Fish? Find a way to turn a hobby into a career, because it can be done. Hint: I’m doing it now, with my writing. Make sure you’ll be happy with your choice, but remember you can always change your mind later. It’s never too late to make a career change.