Linda writes:
A lot of my friends already know what they want to do, although we’re only in our sophomore year of high school. Our guidance counselors say go in the direction of something your good at, but I don’t know what my forte is. I thought of acting/singing, but many performers don’t make it (I’d still like to try anyway). What can I do to find what I’m good at?
The Career Doctor responds:
I so enjoy receiving emails from my teen readers because you have so much ahead of you in your lives and there is no need to feel rushed to find your “one right thing,” especially since that one right thing will probably change about five to seven times over the course of your life, according to most recent studies.
There are lots of ways of discovering what you’re good at … sit down at your PC or with a piece of paper and make a list of things you like to do and things you do not like to do … then make a list of things you are good at, such as acting/singing. Then see if you can combine the things you like doing with the things you are good at … and then you can investigate careers that use those strengths and skills.
You can also take some assessment tests. There are many available both on and off the Web. You can take a look at some of the better ones on the Web by visiting Quintessential Careers: Career Assessment.
Finally, while it may be a little early for you to start thinking about a major in college, you can use the same thought process for where you are now, so you should probably read,
Choosing a College Major:
How to Chart Your Ideal Path.
Gail writes:
I have worked several minimum-wage jobs since I graduated high school, hoping one day something would hit me in the head and say ” Wake up, this is your calling!” One thing I can tell you, I have the want, but no drive to make it happen. This is my biggest problem, although I want so desperately for something to happen. My question
for you is where do I start in looking for a career path that is interesting to me and will bring me great pleasure? I don’t want to end up middle-aged, hating my job, feeling
as though I have wasted my life in a career that is not satisfying or enjoyable. What kind of tests can I take? Who should I talk too? Also, keep in mind I don’t want to have to pay a lot of money or any money at all if possible.
The Career Doctor responds:
It sounds as though you have not hit that place in life where you realize that finding an ideal career and job is work in itself. You can’t expect a career to find you. It sounds as though you are close to this realization, but you may have a way to go to make something happen.
When you’re ready to do some work to try and find your ideal career — keeping in mind that current statistics show the average person changing careers about five times in their lives — here are my suggestions:
First, make a list of the things that you do well and the things you enjoy doing.
Second, take a few of the career assessment tests. I’ve gathered
a few of my personal favorites at Quintessential Careers:
Career Assessment. Many of these tests will give you a number of careers that take advantage of your skills and interests.
Third, with the information you have from the first two steps, either contact your old high-school guidance office and talk with one of the counselors or visit a college university or community college and see if you can learn more about the education
requirements for the types of careers that interest you.
Fourth, consider volunteering, job-shadowing, or informational interviews to learn more and see first-hand people working in the careers that interest you.
These steps take a lot of time and effort, but the end results should lead you to some exciting choices. Good luck in your search.
Mike writes:
I am presently a 24-year-old executive chef. I work insane hours to make the kitchen function in a field that get little respect and is very hard to find good employees. I am getting tired of it. I have the capabilities to do just about anything. I don't know what I
want to do. Is there an online link that can give you questions and compile them into possible careers from the way you answer them?
The Career Doctor responds:
First, let me say, Mike, that if you are good at what you do and you enjoy being a chef -- minus the hassles -- you should consider staying a chef, but look at other avenues for being a chef. If, however, you feel being a chef is not in your future, then, yes, there are a number of free online personality and career-focused tests that you can take that can give you some direction and some focus. These tests, however, will not give you answers...maybe only more questions.
You can find what I consider the best self-assessment tests on the Web in this section of Quintessential Careers: Career Assessment Tools & Tests. There are also some good ones that you have to pay to get the results,
but for most people, those on this list are enough. If you feel you need yet more tests, email me back and I'll set you up with a few others.
Anonymous writes:
I’m a high-school senior who doesn’t know what I want to do. I’ve started to fill out applications to many colleges since I don’t know where to go. I know that I can save time and money if I have (at least) an idea of my career. I heard about the personality tests you can take online that can help you figure it out. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me where these sites are.
The Career Doctor responds:
Well, first I have to tell you that trying to narrow your focus is a good thing — and self-assessment and career exploration is a great starting point — but just don’t get too caught up in the process. So many of my students have changed their majors several times while at college — and most still find a way to graduate in the typical four years. I think the key is finding something you’ll like doing, using your strongest skills, and knowing that your career choice may certainly change or evolve over time.
Second, let me also say that I have taken many of these tests — and all of the ones that I recommend — and all are based on valid research, but keep in mind that all these tests are simply an instrument to give you a little more focus and direction. For example, I had a student who took one of these tests and the results said he should be a construction worker or firefighter, among other occupations, and he got all upset because he wondered why he was attending college if his “fate” was on of these two jobs. Of course, he was taking the results too literally. Thus, if you don’t like the results of one of these tests, simply move on to the next one.
Given all that, here’s my recommendation of a couple of free career assessment
tests that are available on the Web: the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and the Work Preference Inventory. Another that is not free — but inexpensive — is the JVIS, which is extremely well suited to high-school and college students. You can find more detail about each of these tests (and get links to them) — as well as a few others — by going to this section of Quintessential Careers: Career Assessment Tools & Tests.
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