Chosing a Career

With all of the careers out there, you want to choose one that will leave you feeling satisfied at the end of every work day. How do you choose one? The tip that I received from a counselor in high school was to take classes in things that interest me in college. After a year of an undeclared major, I choose Communications. I really enjoy understanding more about people, which lead to my minor of Sociology. For me this took a little while, and I know that I want to work one day in nonprofit helping people.

Choosing a career or school isn't as easy for some. My friend Andrea had a reverse experience; she knew the exact career she wanted, Forensic Psychology. She wants to understand what type of person could commit horrific crimes and why. Her problem was finding the right school. She carefully considered some of the top online colleges, but she eventually settled on her bachelor’s degree at Saginaw Valley State University. She is about to start her last semester. When she graduates, she has a plan in place to move somewhere where she begin working in the field, but will attend graduate school, and possibly keep going until she receives a doctorate's degree.

How do you choose a career? How do you know what is right? Everyone needs to do what is best for them. Reflect on your interests and activities. If there is something that interests you, do your own research into a possibility of a career. Ask questions; see if you can get information from a person or organization. If they don't know, see if they have suggestions where you could go to get more information. See if there is an opportunity to overshadow for a day at a company, or even intern for time period. 

Remember that there is no wrong way in life. Life is lots of trials and errors or successes. If you determine you are no longer interested in a career, then change up your plan. My favorite teacher told me that she changed her major three times before settling on Communications and it's the best decision she made. I always think of how Edison invented so many versions of the light bulb that did not work before he was successful. Determination is what will lead you down the right path in life.