How to Choose a Career: 5 Strategic Steps to Finding Meaningful Work

Career choice ranks high on the list of “Life’s Important Decisions.” It’s not because your career defines you—it doesn’t. It’s not because you “only get one shot”—opportunities are endless. And it’s not because you’ll stay on the same career path all your life—you probably won’t.

Regardless of what career you choose, work will typically consume a significant amount of your time and energy. Your chosen career will affect both your salary and your lifestyle. It will affect your emotional and mental health. Additionally, since our unique abilities help us excel in different areas, some jobs will fit us better than others. Therefore, choosing a career path is something to think about strategically. Being conscientious and deliberate about your career choice plays a part in finding purposeful and meaningful work throughout your life.

Choosing a Career

Since tossing a coin on important decisions isn’t particularly helpful, it’s good to have a roadmap. And while this might look different for every person, here are some general tips to consider.

Assess Yourself

Self-assessment is the first step to choosing a career. It begins with asking yourself questions. What makes you feel happy and fulfilled? How do you define success, and how do you see yourself getting there? What are things that come naturally to you? Be honest about the skills you struggle with, the traits that don’t come naturally to you, or the things you don’t enjoy doing. Take some time to consider your—

• Passions.
• Skills.
• Aptitudes.
• Personality type.
• Values.
• Goals.
• Preferred work environment.
• Learning styles.
• Growth needs.

There are countless tools designed to help you learn more about yourself. For instance, the Meyers-Briggs test and the DISC analysis are both popular assessments that prove helpful for professionals.

Start Dreaming.

When you’re dreaming, the sky’s the limit! Pull out the stops and begin brainstorming! Start doing preliminary research on things that sound interesting to you. Think about what you learned from your self-assessment and use that information as a foundation. Don’t be afraid to use your network of friends and family for ideas (and connections). Write down your ideas and be thorough!

Narrow Things Down.

It’s time to make some decisions! Dive deeper into the more serious career possibilities and envision working in those industries. Do research into potential employers as well. Consider job shadowing, interning, or asking for an informational interview—anything to give you a taste of what that career would look like! Inquire about salaries, growth opportunities, and where that job stands in the labor market. Determine what kind of training and education you’ll need. Working with a career counselor to narrow a career choice is also helpful and worth the investment!

Get the Training.

Once you’ve selected a career, it’s time to get the education and training required for entering your desired field. Keep in mind that some employers offer on-the-job training or are willing to pay for your education. Also, remember that some jobs require years of experience. For example, being an executive may be your goal, but you won’t achieve that goal without patience, time, and a growth mindset. Be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up!

When the time comes to start looking for a job, take full advantage of all the available resources. Staffing agencies, such as Career Concepts, skillfully match talent to the right opportunities. We’ve been matching the best people with the best employers for over 50 years! With unparalleled support and connections, we’re here to help you find the next step in your career. Contact us today!