There Are Several Things To Consider When Planning The Best Career Pathway For Your Future!
There can be many reasons, during the course of your education and working years, for why you might find yourself in the wrong job or career. Maybe what you initially liked studying in high school and college didn’t translate well into the working environment, or maybe you took a temporary job and ended up there years later even though it’s not really a match, or maybe you had a sudden move to a new state that couldn’t be avoided… and it changed your school and career trajectory, as well. The list of potential reasons for ending up in the wrong career really could be endless.
If you think you’ve made a wrong career choice during or after high school, then the last thing you’ll want to do is to stay stuck in it – obviously. This is especially true because unsatisfying jobs, and chronically stressful jobs and careers, can further impact your financial earnings, physical and mental health, and overall quality of life. It helps to always remember that a job, and even a career, is there to help you develop professionally and to pay a wage that allows you to have a meaningful life outside of work, with a reasonable amount of time for you to enjoy your personal interests.
So, if the issue you are having in your current work situation is not a reflection of a boss that’s bothering you, or troublesome coworkers, or a crushing workload that won’t let up, or even an unreasonable commute… then it’s very likely that you’re just working in the wrong job and/or pursuing a poorly matched career pathway. While it is totally normal to experience job dissatisfaction and career envy now and then (in both high school and beyond), if you find yourself wanting to be anywhere else on the planet, and daydreaming about other jobs or career studies, then it’s time for a career pivot.
Making a wrong job or career choice doesn’t have to be a work-life deal breaker. And, if you are thinking about making a switch in your career (or in your career studies), here are some key tips to help you get your next choices headed in the right direction.
Enrollment Is Open!
Career Tip #1: Understand that your education and work situation is common, and that you are not alone in choosing the wrong (or less than ideal) career.
In the United States, it is estimated that people currently between the ages of 18-24 are projected to experience an average of 5.7 career changes during their working life, according to the latest “Apollo Technical” numbers. Some estimates put the career shift number as high as 7 times, during the working years. That’s a lot of people re-educating and making regular career pivots!
The reasons for this are numerous but can include the desire to explore different jobs, a personal ambition to pick up new and diverse skill sets, new educational options, to strengthen already acquired skills, professional growth opportunities, personal evolution, and individual financial motivations. So, try not to take on any feelings of guilt or failure, if you should decide you need to make a career education or work change. Many people do it, it can be a very healthy decision, and you are certainly not alone.
Career Tip #2: Be sure you take the time to make a comprehensive list of your current career and educational priorities.
Taking a good amount of time to seriously consider your job and career priorities, at your current stage of life, can help you to make a better next choice along your educational and career pathways. You will want to take time to reflect on and write out in a list (or many lists) of what activities you personally enjoy, what skills you are naturally good at, and what you might want to achieve (personally and professionally) in the next 5-10 years.
As you are making your lists, you will also want to balance your desires with the fact that no job, educational tract, or career will ever be 100% perfect.
Career Tip #3: Make sure you are defining your own qualifications, completely and realistically.
Once you decide you need to pivot out of one career pathway and into another, you may find a fairly wide variety of jobs, educational possibilities, and career choices that fit your current list(s) of priorities. So, you will want to narrow down the potential options to those that also best match your qualifications. Doing this activity will help to make your professional pivot happen much faster. It will also make the pivot easier to accomplish, overall.
Just as you took time to make lists of your priorities, you should make time to create a list (or lists) of the personal and professional skills you will bring to the table, in any future job or educational endeavor that you decide to pursue.
Career Tip #4: Research the potential jobs and educational options that best match with your priorities and qualifications, and then begin the actual professional transition.
Finding the right career possibilities, after having taken a wrong turn (or even many wrong turns), entails making an informed and well-researched decision. To learn about the new roles and educational opportunities you might choose to apply for, you can consult with success coaches, online resource articles, career portals, educational centers, and even take career aptitude tests. You can also reach out on social media to professionals who work in fields that interest you and ask for additional guidance.
And, once you’ve officially chosen a job or career pathways target that you believe matches your priorities and qualifications (and you’ve done the necessary research steps listed above), you can then apply to job openings and educational prospects in your newly selected field!
To learn more about “Finding Your Path,” read the Success Coach article, here!
Check out the latest tips on Balancing Work And High School, from a Stride Career Prep Success Coach, too!
And, to find out more about Stride Career Prep’s online programs, visit the site: https://www.stridelearning.com/career-prep.html
Is your child ready for the future?
Make sure your student is ready for life after high school.
Meet a Leader in online education.
See why over two million students have chosen Stride K12-powered schools.