One of the most difficult decisions that young adults have to make is which career path to pursue. There are numerous options, so you have to think about degrees, potential salaries, your passions and work/life balance to choose a career that is right for you. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of Americans are unhappy with their chosen jobs, and while making a career change is always an option, it’s usually less stressful to stick with one career throughout your life. Here are four things to consider when choosing a career.
What Are You Passionate About?
You won’t enjoy your job if you aren’t passionate about what you’re doing. If you love the IT field, working in the accounting industry may not be a good fit for you. If you love animals and science, you can pursue your passion by becoming a veterinarian. There are many ways to combine your passion with your career so that you can truly enjoy working.
Follow the example of James Mellichamp. His passion is music, and he found a way to balance his love of the organ with his job. If you can find a way to make money while pursuing the things that interest you, you are more likely to enjoy your career.
Do You Enjoy School?
Certain careers require you to complete more schooling than others. If you want to enter the medical field, you’ll need to complete more years of school than if you want to be a journalist. For people who don’t enjoy learning in a school setting, this can have a big impact on career choice. You can still pursue a passion for medicine without undergoing medical school by becoming a researcher.
How Much Money Do You Want To Make?
Every career choice has its own average earning potential. If you want to have an affluent lifestyle, you need to pick a career that has a high average salary. Doctors and lawyers make more money than teachers, but the perks of the later profession may outweigh the earning potential of the former. It’s up to you to decide how much money you want to make to narrow down your career choices.
What Do You Want Your Work/Life Balance To Look Like?
Every job has a work/life balance. Some careers allow you to spend significant time with your family, while others require you to spend more time at work than at home. Choose wisely to determine which type of career is best for you. A job as a police officer, doctor or paramedic may take you away from your family at inopportune times but give you a lot of free time outside of work. Teaching gives you plenty of time with your family, while being an entrepreneur may take up all of your free time. Deciding what you want your work/life balance to look like can help you choose the right career.
Making a decision about which career to pursue is stressful. If you take the time to consider these four questions, you can make an informed decision about which career will enrich your life.