The old saying "find a job you love and never work a day in your life" puts a great deal of pressure on people who are trying to choose the right career. Can you really find one that is so enjoyable, it won't even feel like work?
Well, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. No matter how much effort you put into picking an occupation, there are days when it will feel like work. But, there will be others when you will think "I would do this even if I weren't getting paid." The trick is, to choose a career that has many more great days than ones that aren't so great.
First, Learn About Yourself
Your first order of business is to learn as much as possible about yourself. If you think you know all there is to know, the results of a self assessment will be eye-opening. A career development professional, for example, a career counselor or career development facilitator, can help you with this step but don't be discouraged if you can't afford to hire one.
Next, Learn About the Occupations on Your List
The results from your self assessment will include a list of occupations that are a good fit for you based on all the factors it examined, but the quest to find the right career doesn't end here. While some of the occupations may be nearly perfect for you, others may be all wrong. Even though they are a good match for your personality type, interests, values, and aptitude, they may be unsuitable in other ways. For example, the job duties may not appeal to you, the outlook may be poor, or the required education or training could be more than you are willing to complete. Make an informed decision by exploring each of the careers on your list.
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