Finding the Right Career with 4 Tips

College students must look ahead toward their degree as they complete their prerequisite classes. However, without knowing which career you want, how can you know which degree to pick? Fortunately, these four tips will help you choose the right career path.

There are many directions you can go in your career. (Image courtesy of Brendan Church)

Don't choose a hobby

The first tendency most have when choosing a career is to turn their hobby into a career. The belief is that if one makes their hobby a job, they won't work a day in their life; this may work for some, but it's an exception, not the rule. For example, Ed Sheeran had issues playing music recreationally after becoming a musician. Hobbies are a form of escapism where one can unwind from their daily lives. By making your hobby a job, you take the escapism out of it and will soon look for another hobby.

Identify your skills

It is good to have passions but remember to play to your strengths. Thinking about what you excel at helps you discover what jobs you will naturally do well in. If, for example, you have a knack for solving puzzles, consider the field of data science. Consider your skills and how they can fit into a career. Friends and family can also provide valuable feedback on what they think your marketable skills are. Remember, you can translate one skill into multiple career fields, so you don't have to feel forced into a career you don't want.

Identify your interests

Your interests can help you find your career. (Image courtesy of Wix)

Similar to skills, your interests can lead you to the best career for you. What do you like to do? While your hobbies should be reserved for fun, finding the root interest in that hobby can lead you to a career path. If you like playing video games, instead of playing video games as a career, think about why you like them; is it because you are managing tasks at a fast pace, because it requires communication with your teammates, or is it for another reason? Identifying your interests through your hobbies allows you to find a fulfilling career while keeping your work and hobbies separate.

Pick a career that makes money

Choosing a career just for the paycheck will leave you unfulfilled, but that doesn't mean we can ignore money altogether. College costs money, so you need to find a job with the degree you paid for to justify that cost. If you pick a career that isn't in demand, you will have to change careers, which could mean returning to college. There are resources online that find jobs via demand and salary you can refer to for this process.

If you have followed all of these tips and still don't know which career path is right for you, don't worry. Unless you want a career that requires a very specific degree, the same job listings will be available for people with different degrees. You don't have to figure out which career you want yet; you just need to match your skills and interests to a degree.