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Careers

For recent graduates and seasoned professionals alike, choosing a career can be a confusing and difficult process. With so many options, outside pressures, and financial factors to consider, nailing down an occupation often seems like an insurmountable task. Many individuals are too quick to settle on the career path that seems convenient or expected. Unfortunately, hastily selecting an occupation often leads to personal and professional dissatisfaction several years down the line, if not sooner.

Although the undertaking may seem daunting or discouraging, with a bit of time, energy, and self-examination, choosing a career path can actually be an empowering experience. Creating a well mapped-out plan sets a person up for success, providing not only a reasonable goal, but also progress markers and measures of achievement to work toward along the way. This article provides an overview of the tools and resources needed to make a well-informed career decision.

Quick Facts on Choosing a Career

Some individuals know early on what they want to do “when they grow up,” and pick a college major accordingly. However, a vast majority of the population is not so lucky. For some people, picking a career takes months, years, or even decades. Even professionals well into a career may reassess their situation and choose to change course midway. Here are some quick facts on career choice, change, and the process of finding employment:

  1. 6% of workers over age 50 are in the process of changing careers. (AARP)
  2. Resumes mailed to companies' staffing departments only account for 3% of hires nationwide. (The Ultimate Job Search)
  3. Jobs found through newspaper classifieds account for only 7% of hiring results.
  4. Employment agencies produce 12% of job hires.
  5. Employee referrals and networking account for 25% of new hires.
  6. 33% of hiring takes place over the Internet.
  7. 95% of human resource managers and 95% of job seekers depend on personal contacts and networking to fill and find openings. (JIST Publishing)

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Steps to Take Before Choosing a Career

Before embarking on a career path it is crucial to thoroughly research the responsibilities, prospects, and requirements for a given occupation. Occupational indecision can be minimized or avoided altogether by following a series of helpful steps (Career Planning):

  1. Assess yourself- Every person has different values, interests, and objectives. This means that certain people will be particularly suited to certain jobs, and especially inappropriate for others. Understanding your personal quirks through a combination of self-reflection, career assessment tests, and possibly even career counseling is the best way to hone in on appropriate occupations.
  2. Make a list of potential occupations- Self-assessment should generate a long list of potential job paths. Of course, pursuing every career on the list is impossible; instead, use the list as a starting point to guide your search. Pick out the top five or ten options, and rewrite these on a separate list. Pick jobs that appeal to you, jobs that appear in the results of multiple tests, or jobs that you think you would be particularly suited for.
  3. Explore the options- Now that your list is a more manageable size, take the time to read up on each profession. Look at educational requirements, the job description, the job outlook, earnings, and opportunities for advancement. The Internet provides a useful starting point, but the very best ways to obtain in-depth information about a career is from an individual with firsthand knowledge of the field. To this end, conduct informational interviews with professionals working in occupations that interest you. These people may be relatives, family friends, acquaintances, or classmates. The purpose of an informational interview is to gather inside knowledge about a career from someone who has experienced it firsthand. An informational interview is not an opportunity to ask for a job, although it may provide useful networking practice.
  4. Narrow down your list- As you gain a deeper understanding of each occupation on your list, you should be able to start eliminating positions that do not seem like a good fit. Use what you learned in your research to pare down the list; perhaps the advanced degree required for a particular position requires too much time and preparation, or the low salary of another occupation may prove inadequate. Eventually, pare down the list to one or two occupations.
  5. Set goals- Once you select a career to pursue, set realistic goals that will help you achieve it. Your research should have equipped you with the knowledge needed to set both short-term goals (achievable in 1-3 years), and long-term goals (reachable in 3-5 years). Accomplishing an objective will likely take energy and hard work, but each goal must be realistic. In order to be obtainable, a goal must be clearly defined, achievable within a certain time frame, believable, and flexible.
  6. Create a career action plan- With a clear set of career goals, you can now constrict a career action plan. This plan lists your goals and the steps required to reach them. It also includes foreseen obstacles, and how you intend to address each one. Essentially, this plan serves as your road map for how to get from point A, choosing a career, to point B, gaining employment in that career, and ultimately growing within it. (Writing a Career Action Plan)
  7. Obtain training- Training for your new career likely plays a big part in your action plan, and is truly the crucial ingredient for getting hired. Training can come in the form earning a degree, taking courses to acquire a particular skill set, and/or doing an internship. On top of trade-specific skills, like computer programming for a web designer, acquire good professional practices, like time management, proper attire, writing, and communication.

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Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Career

In addition to looking at outside resources for job information, it is important to examine your personal preferences as well. Reflect on the skills, interests, and values that make you unique, and then consider how these personality traits might translate into a job. Before settling on an occupation, ask yourself:

1. What am I good at?
A job should utilize your existing aptitudes, and use these skills to build new ones. If a job involves doing something that you like to do, or that you know you are good at, you are more likely to find the work satisfying and engaging. (MadeMan)
2. What are my likes and dislikes?
If you dislike interacting with people, a career that's heavy on teamwork or customer service may not be the best choice. Similarly, if the thought of sitting still for long periods of time sends shivers down your spine, try to think outside the cubicle. Identifying your criteria and deal-breakers is one sure way to quickly eliminate careers that don't seem like a good match. (MadeMan)
3. Why do I want to pursue this career?
If the answer to this question has more to do with outside pressures––parents, money worries, or a sense of obligation––than with your personal interest in the job, you may want to reconsider your path. Only pursue a career that you feel passionate about, otherwise you may burn out quickly and find yourself back at square one of the job search process. (Find College Cards)
4. What is the job outlook?
Before signing on to a job, ensure that both the company and the position are reliable, and not likely to lay you off or disappear. Make sure the career you choose is in demand, otherwise you may invest time and money in education only to find that your chosen field has become obsolete. (Find College Cards)
5. What kind of life can I have with this career?
This question speaks to several levels. First, consider the logistics of the career. Will it require a great deal of travel, or frequent overtime? How long is the commute? Concerns that may seem trivial at first are often deal breakers when you consider your plans for the future, such as buying a house, or starting a family. Also consider the benefits package, and the salary. Make sure the career meshes with your lifestyle, and offers adequate compensation for the time, money, and effort you put towards schooling. (Find College Cards)

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The Highest Paying Careers

Contrary to what tabloids and magazines might have you think, the highest paid people in America are not actors, musicians, or sports stars. On the contrary, the highest-paid professionals are regular people who possess a winning combination of education and experience, many of whom land in the medical or business fields. According to CNBC , the top twenty high-earning professions for 2010 are:

  1. Surgeons ($219,770 mean annual salary)
  2. Anesthesiologists ($211,750)
  3. Oral Surgeons ($210,710)
  4. Orthodontists ($206,190)
  5. Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($204,470)
  6. Internists, General ($183,990)
  7. Physicians and Surgeons ($173,860)
  8. Chief Executive Officers ($167,280)
  9. Family and General Practitioners ($168,550)
  10. Psychiatrists ($163,660)
  11. General Pediatricians ($161,410)
  12. Dentists ($153,570)
  13. Dental Specialists ($153,570)
  14. Podiatrists ($131,730)
  15. Lawyers ($129,020)
  16. Natural Sciences Managers ($127,000)
  17. Prosthodontists ($125,400)
  18. Engineering Managers ($122,810)
  19. Computer and Information Systems Managers ($120,640)
  20. Marketing Managers ($120,070)

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The Highest Job Satisfaction Careers

Interestingly, those occupations that bring in the most money are not always those that produce the highest job satisfaction. When asked to rate their current occupations on a scale of 0 (“Miserable”) to 100 (“Very Happy”), workers' responses revealed the top twenty careers with the highest job satisfaction:

  1. Singers (Satisfaction rating: 91.7)
  2. Municipal Fire Fighters (90)
  3. Aircraft Assemblers (83.3)
  4. General Pediatricians (80)
  5. College Professors - Communications (79.2)
  6. Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors (78.8)
  7. Animal Care Workers (78.6)
  8. Criminal Investigators and Special Agents (77.5)
  9. College Professors – Other (77.3)
  10. Therapists (77.1)
  11. College Professors – Psychology (76.9)
  12. College Professors – Vocational Studies (76.7)
  13. High School Teachers (76.3)
  14. Counselors (75)
  15. Coaches and Scouts (75)
  16. College Professors – Business (75)
  17. Religious Workers (75)
  18. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (72.9)
  19. Chief Executive Officers (72.4)
  20. Physician Assistants (72.2) (MyPlan)

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Fastest Job Growth Careers

The fastest growing fields in America seem to overwhelmingly involve computers and healthcare. As baby boomers age, the country faces a growing need for trained healthcare professionals. At the same time, technology continues to expand, creating new career paths every year. The top twenty fastest job growth careers for 2010––ranked by percent change––reflect these trends:

  1. Computer software engineers, applications
  2. Computer support specialists
  3. Computer software engineers, systems software
  4. Network systems and data communications analysis
  5. Desktop publishers
  6. Database administrators
  7. Personal and home care aides
  8. Computer systems analysis
  9. Medical assistants
  10. Social and human service assistants
  11. Physician assistants
  12. Medical records and health information technicians
  13. Computer and information systems managers
  14. Home health aides
  15. Occupational health aides
  16. Physical therapist assistants
  17. Audiologists
  18. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
  19. Computer and information scientists, research
  20. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers (Office of Vocational and Adult Education)

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General Resources on Choosing a Career

  • 2010 JobsRated Report – The JobsRated Report analyzes a range of different careers by factors such as competitiveness, hiring outlook, working conditions, and salary. Published every January, the Report organizes its findings into rankings, which can provide a useful tool for comparing different professions side by side.
  • About.com Career Planning  – About.com's Career Planning guide provides a variety of useful self-assessment tools, including personality tests, and a guide to identifying your work values. Use these resources to hone in on occupations that are well suited to your needs.  
  • BrainTrack - BrainTrack offers in-depth career profiles as well as degree and wage statistics for over three-hundred occupations.
  • Business Week Career Reports – Every year, Business Week conducts a survey of career services directors at U.S. colleges to learn which employers are top on their lists. They then asked those employers to complete a survey on their hiring, pay, benefits, and training programs, which they compare to others in the same industry. The Career Reports website presents the survey's findings, along with an analysis of the best places to launch a career.
  • Career.org - Careers.org offers detailed information on over a thousand occupations, including wages, skills required, and links to colleges offering such training. The site also provides city-specific job and educational resources for most major metropolitans in the US, as well as some overseas.
  • Career Guide to Industries – Also from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The Career Guide to Industries provides information on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, training and advancement, earnings and benefits, employment outlook, and lists of organizations that can provide additional information."
  • CareerOneStop - CareerOneStop is, as its name suggests, a one-stop source for all things career-related. Part of America's Job Bank, this site provides information on hundreds of occupations, including wages, trends, transferable skills, job descriptions, and employment outlook.
  • Career Overview – CareerOverview provides up-to-date, reliable, and relevant job information, including educational requirements, earning potential, occupational outlook, and work activities and environment. Perform a detailed search, or browse through the hundreds of popular careers listed on the site.
  • CareerPath.com – Powered by CareerBuilder, CareerPath.com boasts a number of career and personality tests intended to pair individuals with jobs. The site offers tests for people who are just starting to think about employment, and for those who would like to consider changing careers.
  • Career Planning Process – The Career Planning/Competency model is a four-step guide to choosing and pursuing a career path. The stages, each complete with a number of links and resources, include Self-Assessment, Academic/Career Options, Relevant/Practical Experience, and Job Search/Graduate School Preparation.
  • CareerVideos.com – CareerVideos.com features over six hundred short video profiles of real people doing real jobs. In these videos, workers reflect on their occupations, providing personal insight on employment in their chosen field.
  • CareerSteer – Started by a well-known guidance counselor, CareerSteer asks users to answer a range of questions about their strengths and preferences. It uses this information to hone in on a selection of careers that might provide a good match.
  • Education Planner – The Careers section of Education Planner is a valuable resource for high school and college graduates, and their parents. Along with detailed descriptions of various occupations, including military careers, the site provides a self-assessment quiz, a list of the fastest growing occupations, and a guide to educational resources.
  • MyPlan  – MyPlan contains a career database of over nine hundred occupations, as well as a salary calculator and a series of informative top ten lists.
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook – Twice a year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes a guide to “what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects.” From this site, you can search through the handbook, or download the full version as a PDF.
  • Riley Guide – The Riley Guide's Career Research Center is home to information about more than 160 occupations, including job descriptions, employment data, salary statistics, and educational resources.
  • TheCareerProject.org – TheCareerProject.org is an interactive database with profiles of over a thousand careers. The information on the site comes from career mentors––working professionals in a given field––who fill out a comprehensive questionnaire detailing occupational outlook, daily tasks, salary, and work environment.
  • WetFeet.com - WetFeet breaks job information down into Undergrad, MBA, and Experienced Hire categories, each offering its own set of resources and guides. The site also allows users to research salary information, top employers, and industry information, and to search for jobs.

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Career Test Resources

  • Kansas State University – Kansas State University's Academic and Career Information Center is all about connecting majors to careers. Select a major from the alphabetical list and you will gain access to related career paths.
  • The Platinum Rule – Use the Platinum Rule test to determines whether your personality type is a Director, Relater, Socializer, or Thinker. Once the test is completed the site provides a list of possible career matches.
  • LiveCareer – LiveCareer's test synthesizes a variety of common test types––including aptitude tests, interest tests, and satisfaction tests––into one comprehensive quiz intended to provide a straightforward guide to career development.
  • Monster.com – One of the best-known names in the career search industry, Monster offers a variety of tests and quizzes to match you with suitable professions, and determine how prepared and qualified you are to enter a given field.
  • The Princeton Review Online: Careers After College ­ – In addition to an extensive database of career information, The Princeton Review's Careers After College site offers a five-minute quiz that will provide career suggestions based on your college major.

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You've Picked a Career, Now Find a Job

  • Career Rookie -CareerRookie.com is a division of CareerBuilder-whose online career site, is the largest in the U.S. with 23 million unique visitors. CareerRookie.com connects students and recent graduates seeking internships, part-time jobs and entry-level positions with the nation's top employers. Users can also post resumes, get the latest news on companies and industries, sign up for automatic job alerts, view local career fairs and tap into advice on everything from writing resumes to on-the-job success - all from an entry-level point of view.
  • CollegeGrad.com – CollegeGrad lists the top three hundred entry-level employers for 2010, offering an excellent database of companies to look at during your job search.
  • One Day, One Job – One Day, One Job provides daily job reviews, an inside look at unique entry-level employment opportunities.
  • USAJobs - USAJobs is the official site for federal jobs and employment information.
  • Yahoo HotJobs – HotJobs harnesses the power of the Yahoo search engine to compile job listings from all over the world. In addition to browsing open opportunities, bob seekers can post resumes, research careers at featured companies, compare salaries and get career advice.

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