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Leadership & Career Development 2.1: Choosing a Career

LESSON: LEADERSHIP & CAREER DEVELOPMENT 2.1: CHOOSING A CAREER

Career Considerations

When choosing a career, consider your talents and what area of study you’re interested in. Deciding on a career without considering what you’re good at and what you like doing, will likely result in choosing a career that you’re not happy with.

In this section, we’ll focus on ten important points to keep in mind when choosing a career.

1. Make sure you know the field you are interested in. There is nothing worse than wasting your talent by choosing something you are not sure you able to do and will love doing.
2. Look for fields that fit you. Don’t select a field because it’s “hot” unless you are sure you can and want to do the work it involves.
3. Decide what you really want to do based on personal interest and passion.
4. Just because your friend is doing well in a field, doesn’t mean it will go well for you too. Everyone is different, especially when it comes to job performance. No matter what the job there are certain people that can endure or resent the job that they do.
5. It’s not always best to stick to possibilities that you already know. Do research into what jobs are available that involve your talents and your interests. Use the job boards and government employment sites to explore what’s out there.
6. Be comfortable with change.

• One might give up the chance at advancing by choosing a career that they known or have been doing for a long time. Sometimes it’s easy to get comfortable in the job we’re currently doing. Branching out into a new area or learning a new skill can be scary at first, but being willing to work through change will reward you with personal growth.

1. Do not let money be the deciding factor in your choice.

• There is much more in a job than your salary. What benefits come with the position? Will you get paid medical and dental insurance, paid vacations, sick days, etc.  What is the workplace like? Are employees happy and engaged in their work or do they resent going in every day?
• That said, however, do research into what a fair base salary is for your field of choice. Know how much you should be paid to avoid undervaluing yourself.

1. Make sure you have computer skills.

• It’s now the case that very few well-paying jobs don’t require working with and being comfortable with technology. Employers now expect that employees know how to type and use a computer.

1. Do some volunteer service or internship in the field that you are interested in

• Volunteer work is a great way to get some hands-on experience in the career you are looking into. That way you can see if it is truly what you want to do.

1. Be careful when using placement agencies or search firms

• No one will ever know your talents or self-worth better than yourself. Sometimes a person might overlook something about you or place you in an environment that you will not be productive in.
• Career counselors or facilitators will often follow your lead and tell you what you want to hear. Do your own research before entering a career counselor’s office.