How To: Choose a Career (a list)

Yesterday my brother asked me for advice. A college Freshman, he's looking a great deal of major decisions in the face. This includes the major decision. What should he study? Well, it depends what career he wants. Great...what career does he want? How is anyone supposed to really know the answer to that question at 19?

Deciding on a career can be daunting and difficult. Time is money. The pressure is high. So how is one to decide?

There is no magic answer; and were there one, I wouldn't purport to having it. Regardless, here's a list of the nine most useful tips I've gathered from talking to a lot  of people about their experiences-- and from just a few of my own.

1. Identify the talents and skills you already have as well as some you'd like to learn.

Then, create a chart (or whatever organizational tool floats your boat-- I like charts) like this one with your skills and the jobs that are applicable to those skills.

 

Take a look at your chart and see what it tells you. A good way to start is by seeing which careers are associated with more than one of your skills. In this example the person in question would do well to look further into being an educator (teacher/professor are both associated with teaching, leadership, and public speaking) or a comedian (listed beside writing, public speaking, and guitar). One of these jobs is more 'practical' than the other. Doesn't matter. Just get an idea of what you may be good at and mull over your favorites. 

2. Involve your values in your decision.  

Ask yourself: "Can I take pride in this career? Will my life's work make the world my definition of 'better'?" The key protection against burn-out is passion-- and it's hard to be passionate about work that you see as arbitrary or futile, no matter how interesting it seems on the surface. 

3. Consider your education.

If you've already completed your education, look for careers wherein your training is marketable. 

If you're still working on your education, it is worthwhile to find ways to tailor your academic experience to your career goals. See your department guidance counselor. At many schools you can personalize your degree in more ways than you may realize to ensure that you're taking the classes that will be most beneficial to you individually. 

Don't get hung up on this, though... 

4. Don't worry about "deficiencies" in your education. 

Want to be a doctor but majored in comparative literature? Don't count yourself out. They key in any job search is to know how to market yourself. If you majored in something unorthodox for the field you want to enter, simply show prospective employers how your unique training and talents will make you an invaluable asset to their team. 

I know it sounds like a long shot, since the importance of the right degree is so (rightly) emphasized. But, maybe the right degree for you is a less typical one! Don't be afraid to break the mold. 

Again, see your guidance counselor. Your department will have resources like employment stats for your major, resume building seminars and workshops, and networking opportunities. Many colleges offer clubs for external majors interested in careers traditional in their department. You often don't have to be declared pre-med to join the pre-med society. Brigham Young University (for one) has an active club dedicated to preparing Humanities students to find jobs and internships in business. Make use of the resources in your department. I cannot say that enough. 

5. Be realistic.

Look up the job market predictions for coming years. Think about your personal goals: family, location, travel, lifestyle. Do they align with the lifestyle characteristic of your chosen career? 

At the same time...

6. Don't let 'practicality' get in the way of worthy, worthwhile goals. 

Sometimes making the smart decision means deciding to pursue what makes you happy no matter what-- even if what makes you happy is ultra-competitive or super low-earning. Just make sure you have the work ethic to push yourself through what can often be a discouraging road and that you surround yourself with people who believe in you!

7. Get an internship (or five).

At minimum, set up a job shadow. There's nothing like spending some real time seeing what the work you want to do really looks like to give you perspective and help you make a decision. An internship is often more beneficial than a standard summer job in your field, as (qualified) internship supervisors are half-boss half-mentor. 

8. Accept that you will change your mind at least once...

...and that's okay! Life is a journey. Things very, very rarely go as planned. Most people start their professional lives in one career only to find life steers them into another. Either way, be open to new experiences and opportunities to learn and develop yourself professionally and personally. As Thomas S. Monson said, "Find joy in the journey!"

Lastly, 

9. Find a mentor. 

It is hard to overestimate how valuable mentors are in career selection and preparation. With a mentor you get to: 

• learn first-hand about the job you're interested in and ask specific questions with personal responses. 
• make an invaluable industry contact who can help you with internships, jobs, and networking with other industry members.
• learn about different schools and programs and have insight into which are the most sought after by hiring managers in today's market. 
• have a go-to who is very  familiar with your goals, skills, experience, and awesome personality to use as a referent on applications. 
• ask how they achieved their success-- and maybe even how they chose their career! 

That's all I've got for now! Do you have any other items of advice for career-seekers? Let me know in the comments! In the meantime, DFTBA (don't forget to be awesome!) and remember to root for each other.