Define a Target - Choose A Career

Many times people choose to go into a particular field because someone they know works in that field, their parents or a friend said they would like it, or even because their favorite tv character works in that field.

None of these is the best way to choose an occupation, especially when you consider the amount of time you will spend working. Generally, it takes a lot of time to figure out what you want to do with your life.

Career planning is a multi-step process that involves learning about yourself, discovering which occupations are suitable for someone with your values, skills, personality type, and interests; exploring those occupations in order to narrow down your list; finding the occupation you think will be best for you; and laying out a plan that will allow you to reach your goal (getting a job in that occupation).

Not everyone will be unhappy with their career choice if they don't go through the career planning process in this detail. Many people have discovered their ideal career accidentally. Even if you stumble upon an occupation haphazardly and truly believe with all your heart it is the right one for you, it's entirely worthwhile to go through the career planning process to ensure you are making the right choice. You have nothing to lose by doing that and in the long run, you may save yourself a lot of aggravation. The best that can happen is you decide you were right all along. And if you find out you weren't, you can move on to another option.

For many of us, finding a career that we think is fun and long-term is in itself a long journey. But having a successful career in life is not just for the rich and famous, it's also for the average person, like you! There are three important points to address when asking the question, what career is right for me? First, you must discover what are the standing and lasting values that make you who you are. What things interest you or what things make you want to stop as soon as you begin.

Choosing a career is all about you, because if you don't know who you are as an individual, it's going to be extremely hard to convince your potential employer to entrust you with a job.

For some of us, we value our families and the ability to schedule work around life or for some it may be the need to work around certain types of people, rather than others. Whatever those values and ideals fit you, you must be comfortable with yourself and willing to try new things!

Second, you must figure out what you are good at and what brings out the best of your abilities. Obviously, if you are great at painting artwork, but really can't stand working outside in the scorching heat, then you probably don't want to apply for a job as a car mechanic.

There are many ways to figure out what you are good at, simply just by asking yourself what are your likes and dislikes, your expectations for your dream career, and what steps you would have to take to get there. Whenever someone comes up to me and complains about their job and how they dislike it so much, I always ask why you are still doing it. Work in a field that fits your mold and who you are, not based on pay or some other factor.

Third and most importantly, do something you love! Never get lured into doing a job that makes you grumpy and angry at the world. There are too many career positions out there waiting for someone with your talents to come aboard.

Happiness in career and life to me is one of the most vital issues we should all cherish as human beings. Being happy is not only good for those who spend the most time with you, such as your spouse, kids, or friends, it's also good for your health, happiness, and well-being.

The one thing you MUST believe is that a great career is not just for the rich and famous, it's for all of us.