So, that turbulent period of your life called high school is finally coming to an end, and you are probably wondering – what am I going to do after? While there is no one correct answer to this question, at this time, most young adults tend to focus their attention on setting a foundation for their future careers. For some, this comes as a no-brainer. However, many high school seniors struggle when it comes to choosing the right career path. If you are one of them, remember that the feeling of confusion is perfectly normal and that the situation is not hopeless! There are many things you can do to ensure you don’t make a regrettable decision. To learn how to pick a career after high school, start by reading this article.
What are your hobbies?
During this period of your life, you will get a bunch of career advice – some of it solicited and some not. Many people will tell you to focus on what is lucrative and, while this is not a bad idea, it is unlikely to bring you satisfaction and happiness in the future if you end up hating your high-paying job.
Instead, it might be a better idea to devote your attention to your interests and hobbies. If you turn your favorite pastime into a profitable career, regret probably won’t be an emotion you will experience in your adult life.
So, what is it that you like doing? Whether it’s gaming or cooking, make sure to explore your career options and jobs related to that. Just remember not to get discouraged if things don’t go as planned right away.
What is your favorite subject?
If none of your hobbies inspire you or if you are simply not interested in turning them into a source of income, think about your high school subjects. Which ones excited and motivated you the most? Whether you are good at writing essays or doing math, you can use your skills to build a career.
Creativity and research are imperative here. For instance, if art is your thing, becoming an art teacher is only one of your options. Depending on your interests and preferences, you could become a designer, decorator, animator, illustrator – the possibilities are endless!
Take a career assessment test
A career assessment test is an excellent way to steer yourself in a direction worth exploring. While a simple quiz likely won’t tell you anything you don’t already know, you can use it as a tool to discover your strengths and weaknesses and see which careers are most compatible with your personality. It might even broaden your horizons when it comes to jobs you haven’t considered yet.
Explore different careers
If you want to pick a career after high school, research is your best bet. There is an endless variety of jobs out there, and the things you will stumble upon and read about might help inspire you to look into options you didn’t even know existed.
You can conduct your research on Google and even ask different people about their career stories. The success of professionals in the fields that interest you will surely encourage you to work hard and devote yourself to developing a career of your own.
Think about the future
When choosing a suitable career for yourself, there are more things to think about other than what you enjoy doing. Unfortunately, passion alone doesn’t pay the bills, so considering the future of the field you are interested in is paramount. After all, you probably don’t want to spend vast amounts of money and time acquiring an education you won’t be able to apply in your career.
The job market is constantly changing, and it is not hard to predict the direction in which it will go. Again, Google is your best bet when it comes to researching the careers of the future. However, remember that this shouldn’t limit your choices. It simply means you should think about the potential a specific job has in the years to come.
Consider what comes with the job
You might be interested in medicine because you enjoy helping people, but you don’t do well in stressful situations. Or you might be passionate about painting but don’t like spending hours working alone. To avoid making the wrong choice, make sure to consider the work environment that comes with the career you desire.
Do not rush your decision
While this article is supposed to provide you with some valuable information on choosing a career, you shouldn’t expect to have an answer by the time you are finished reading it. After all, this decision will shape and influence your future, so it is easy to see why you shouldn’t rush it.
Take your time finding yourself! This might sound like a line from a cheesy rom-com, but understanding yourself and your passions is essential if you want to choose a suitable career.
Nowadays, there is a variety of jobs you can find to support yourself during the soul-searching period. You can even set up a home office and devote your free time to freelance gigs or remote work. This way, once you feel you are ready to move out of your parents’ home, you can simply relocate it to your new place without disturbing your flow. And who knows – your temporary job might even turn into the career of your dreams!
Final words
Many things can help you pick a career after high school. Some of them will prove to be a waste of time, while others will teach you valuable things about yourself. What matters is the process. Prepare yourself for a lot of trial and error along the way, as this is what will help you the most. If you want to learn more about your options and strategies to approach those options, make sure to visit Findmino.com. The resources you will find here will make your career exploration more effective and your decision more informed!