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Here are the steps that will help ensure that your choices are good ones.
1. Values.
What's really important to you?
What turns you on?
What do you like to do so much that you would almost feel guilty getting paid to do it?
These questions are designed to help you get at one of the key elements in career choice: values. Begin your career search by sorting out your values and writing them down as clearly and succinctly as you can.
2. Skills and talents.
A skill is something you've learned to do. A talent is something you've been born with, or at least that you seem naturally qualified to do. You may be skilled at something and still not find it interesting. Chances are, however, if you are naturally talented at something, there will be a correspondence between that particular talent and your values. You are more apt to enjoy doing what you do well naturally than what you have simply been taught to do.
3. Preferences.
Do you regard yourself as highly intuitive? Are you outgoing or reserved? When faced with a decision, do you rely primarily on facts or feelings? Your answers to these questions can tell you much about the kinds of work you will find interesting and challenging.
4. Experiment.
If you're new to the job market or if you are considering a career change, get out and talk to people who are actually doing it. Take a job in the field or industry and see for yourself if it's really all you thought it would be. And don't rely on a single authority or work experience. Within the bounds of the area you've picked, try to get as much and as varied experience as you can. If you're committed to finding out about a certain career, you may want to consider volunteering in order to gain work experience.
5. Become broadly literate.
Many people lose their jobs and scuttle their careers because they have gradually developed tunnel vision about who and what they are and what their capabilities are. The old debate over specialist versus generalist is being tempered by a new term: the generalist/specialist.
That's the individual who has been able to grasp the large picture while, at the same time, becoming expert on several of its parts. That's what becoming broadly literate is all about. Learn as much as you can about what interests you and about the jobs and careers your're considering--not just what those involved are currently doing, but about where the industry or profession is heading.
6. Opt for experience first, money second in your first job 7. Aim for a job in which you can become 110% committed.
If you aren't able to commit 110% to what you are currently doing, start NOW to find something in which you can.
8. Build your lifestyle around your income, not your expectations.
Starting early and investing regularly and wisely are probably two of the greatest secrets of wealth accumulation.
9. Invest 5% of your time, energy, and money into furthering your career.
Dedicate yourself to getting ahead by keeping ahead, and you do that be controlling the one thing you can control: your dedication to being the best that you can be.
10. Be willing to change and adapt.
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