Knowing what you want to do in life is tough. You may be just graduating from high school, part way through college or even working and wanting a change. It’s never too late to start a new path in life. If you’re stuck deciding on what job is right for you, try out these three suggestions to learn more about yourself, your goals and your ideal career match.
Workshop Different Industries
It’s natural to feel worried about your future when you don’t know what you want to do with it, but just think of your uncertainty as opportunity! You have so many options to explore and consider—don’t limit yourself to what you know or have experience with. Look up workshops for a variety of skills across multiple industries. Check out job descriptions online for a multitude of fields. Expose yourself to as many different options as you can, and start exploring the ones that strike you as most interesting. Even if you don’t have a definitive answer of what you want to do, research will help you know what you don’t want to do, so you can go from there.
Go the Certification Route
A lot of people fear they won’t be able to make a career change or start a new job because they lack work experience. Many recruiters often list at least one to three years as a requirement for even entry-level positions. To get some knowledge, find certification for lower-level positions in your primary field of interest to gain some first-hand knowledge and work experience. Look up programs for careers in your target industry. For example, medical assistant certification classes could help you get into the medical field.
Explore Your Interests Through New Classes
Sign up for some online classes or courses through a community college. Explore different interests, even ones that you never really considered more than just a hobby. Through this process, you’ll get to network with teachers and fellow students, learn new things and acquire skills that you can use in the future. By taking a variety of classes, you can learn what you like most about a certain subject as well as discover things you dislike. Courses also grant you the opportunity to engage with your instructor, an industry professional, and learn about what career options a particular subject can lead to.
Trust Your Gut
Have you always found psychology fascinating? Are you a history buff who could best most college professors? Follow your greatest interests and passions and see where they could lead you. Sometimes, things we only thought of as hobbies or interests are actually a calling and can turn into a lucrative career.
Remember to give yourself plenty of time and to remember the end goal is to find something you’ll enjoy doing. Consider your search for your perfect career a chance to get to know yourself better. Explore your interests, uncover the “why” behind your motivations in life and chase new opportunities. You never know where a single decision might lead you.
![]() Dixie Somers is a freelance writer and blogger for business, home, and family niches. Dixie lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and is the proud mother of three beautiful girls and wife to a wonderful husband. |