CHOOSING A CAREER

Growing up as kids, anytime we were asked what we will like to be in future, we mentioned varied professions like: Doctor, Lawyer, Pilot, Managing Director of a company and a host of other top professions.

But the reality is that most of us are unable to pursue careers or professions we aspired to be when we were young. And this can be attributed to a lot of reasons. Some of which include: financial challenges, change of priorities, not studying the right course at the tertiary level among others.

Pursuing a career or job with passion is something a lot of people take for granted because most people think that all they need is to just work and make money.

Even though money is one of the major reasons for working, nothing beats someone who loves his job and has passion for what he/she does.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a career. While this can be a difficult decision, it is certainly not an impossible choice to make when you have the right tools and resources. Factors such as interests, skills, passion, research education and availability of work are all important things to consider when searching for a career.

Interests

Before selecting a career, it's advisable to start taking an inventory of the things that interest you in terms of work. If you have trouble deciding what you like to do, consider your hobbies. It is very easy to turn your hobbies or something you love doing into a future career. Many hobbies correspond to real world needs and positions.

For example, if you like playing video games, consider becoming a video game designer or, programmer, If you like drawing or art, consider becoming a graphic designer.

If you like sports, consider going into teaching and getting certified as a coach.

Evaluate Your Skills

The first step to choosing a career is figuring out what your skills are. If you do not like children, for instance, teaching and child care are not good careers for you. If you faint at the sight of blood, you won't become a surgeon. Everyone has unique talents that can be used in a career of some type. For many, these talents have been present since childhood; for others they are learned over time. In order to determine what career you should choose, begin by looking at skills that can be used on the job or look at career paths that compliment your current skills and talents.

Your Passion

Once you have figured out what your skills are, take some stock of what you love doing. Your goal should be to find a career in an area that you love that also puts your skills to good use. For example, if you enjoy cooking, your dream career could be in the hospitality industry.

Research

Doing research also provides a sense of what degrees, certifications or experience you need to enter a particular industry with. It also should help you begin to map out your career path, according to the various options and specialties within a field.

Training and Education

In order to land certain careers, it is expected that you attain a certain level of training and education. That means for each job type, you will need to attain a certain degree or level of experience before you can begin work in that area. Be sure to choose a training program that is within your means to achieve to avoid setting yourself up for failure.