Choosing a Career

What do you want to be when you grow up? At least once when we're children, we hear that question from someone. But how many of us really think about the answer?

Your job is what pays the bills. It's where you spend the majority of your life. If you hate the path you find yourself following, your days can get pretty miserable. But there's no law that says you can't do something else. You just might have to do some creative thinking in order to get there.

Higher education can help you decide which career path fits best with your personality. Whether you've just graduated from high school or have spent the last ten years in the work force, it's never too late to examine your options and really think about where your strengths and preferences lie.

Take a course in the area you're thinking of working in; if you enjoy the course, you may have found your true calling. If not, move on to your next interest. Talk with people who are already working in the career you're thinking of pursuing, especially if they have been in the business for at least five years. You're more likely to get an unbiased opinion from a veteran of the job than a newbie.

If your preferred career has trade journals or magazines, go to the library and see if you can look over a few copies. You may be able to get a feel for the profession from these.

See if you can take some aptitude tests at your local college's career center. This is another good way to find out where your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your interests, lie.

Look at your hobbies. If you've always loved to sew, for instance, and have a talent for making your own designs, a number of career possibilities are open to you, from tailor to fashion designer. And don't forget your pets. If you're obsessed with animals, you have a number of career choices related to them as well.

Even if you don't find your true calling through any of these methods, you may find new interests or even a sideline career that will bring you satisfaction in your off-work hours.

Most of all, don't waste any time on regretting past choices and missed opportunities. None of us are perfect; if we were, we'd all choose our perfect career the first time. But when you feel that it's time for a change, the only one holding you back is yourself.