There are many online quizzes you can take to determine your best career path.  It’s always hard to know what should be your chosen line of work for the next 30-40 years.  Often people change their careers in their 40’s or 50’s either because of necessity (having to make more money), by choice (wanting a life change) or it is forced on them because they have been downsized (job elimination or being fired).  Knowing this a head of time makes it all the more important to have continued education.  Let’s face it, the competition out there is fierce and regardless of age, employers will always choose the best candidate – the one who has more experience, more education and more drive than any of the others.  So remember, education must be ongoing in your career to stay relevant and promotable.

To find the best career choice when you are starting out – ask yourself these questions.  And do some research into each industry and career path you may want to explore.  This is so important when you are new to the job market.  Your goal is to save the time and the money perusing the “right” industry, rather than finding out you hate it, and having to pivot into something different later.

1. If you can try to make a list of your work values – what is important to you?
2. What are you most interested in?

Once you know what areas of interest you prefer, then ask yourself how you work best?

1. Are you someone who likes to learn by seeing, listening in, or would you like to learn through hands-on-experiences?
2. Are you someone who would like to start their own business?
3. Could you work as a contractor or on a 100% commission based income?
4. Or would you prefer to work for someone else, and would this be a boutique business or perhaps a multi-national firm?

After answering the above questions, and really doing some soul-searching, you will want to identify your true passions for your life.  What are you good at and what are your strengths?  Do some online surfing to find careers that allow you to leverage these unique personal qualities.  Remember, job satisfaction, work-life balance, potential growth in the career you have chosen and of course the alignment with your views and values will help you make the right decision into the correct career path.

Christine’s Tip:

Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continually change and expand your beliefs as you focus not on what you want to achieve out of your life, but rather on who you wish to become in your life.  Never be afraid to pursue the career path you want – regardless or what your parents or friends say.  It is you that must decide what is best for you now and in the future.