Choosing a career path is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in life. Make the right choice, and you’ll enjoy the benefits. Make a bad choice and you’ll suffer the consequences.
Yet, surveys show that about 90 percent of people regret their career choices. It’s no wonder the average person holds 12 jobs in their lifetime.
If the time for you to choose a career has come, we’re here to help you make a perfect choice. Read on for tips on how to choose a career path.
Identify What You’re Passionate About
Career counselors and coaches always tell people to pursue careers they’re passionate about. There’s a good reason for that. Passion makes a job enjoyable and more fulfilling.
So, what’re you passionate about?
Do some searching within yourself and identify what you really like. If you’re passionate about helping other people, for instance, perhaps you’ll feel right at home in any of the many healthcare careers.
Or perhaps you’re passionate about the environment and would love to dedicate your life to protecting it. There are many environmental careers that would suit you.
Of course, it’s possible for a person to have many diverse passions. If this is the case, there are other factors you will need to consider before settling on your ideal career.
Your Aptitude
Most careers require people to get professional training. Training requirements vary from profession to profession, with some being more rigorous than others.
Knowing your aptitude (mental and physical abilities) will enable you to choose a career that’s within your abilities. This is why some professions, such as medicine, require candidates to take aptitude tests. The colleges want to ensure they’re admitting students who not only have the academic smarts but are also capable of meeting the rigors of a medical course.
Go through the training requirements of the careers on your shortlist and see if you’re up to the task. If you’re planning to become a nursing assistant, for example, you need to know what nursing assistant training involves.
Cost of Training
Student debt is becoming a major crisis, which makes it important to consider the cost of education when choosing a major. The average college graduate has about $32,000 in student loans.
No one wants to spend the rest of their professional lives servicing student debt. As such, evaluate your financial position and settle on a career with training requirements you can afford comfortably. You could also pursue other college funding options, such as scholarships.
Job Outlook
Every job seeker dreams of finding a job soon after acquiring all the qualifications. You don’t want to spend several months making job applications without any success.
To prevent that from happening, consider the outlook of the various careers you’re considering. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has an outlook for all occupations in the U.S. Select a career that’s forecast to grow at a faster rate than the national average.
How to Choose a Career Path That You Won’t Regret
Your career will shape many aspects of your adult life. Ideally, you want a job that you’ll enjoy every day, and also pays well. With this guide on how to choose a career path, you now know some of the most important things to consider.
All the best and keep reading our blog for more career advice.